Foggy Notions Revisited
Our Tiny Fogger has been getting a lot of interest over the past year. Its incredibly compact design and efficient output have made it the choice of sports mascots, Broadway shows and special effects producers across the country. This week, I'd like to take a quick look at just what makes this machine so great.
My English professor used to say, "You can always tell what the author thinks is most important about a story by the title he chose." I've found this little piece of advice to be invaluable over the years, and it holds true outside the realm of literature. Consider the "title" of this week's special Tiny Fogger. It's not the Little Fogger, Small Fogger, or even Miniature Fogger.
So, what do we mean by "Tiny"? Simply put, the Tiny Fogger is the smallest fog machine in the world. The fog head is only slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes, which means you can hide it in all sorts of places. We've heard of the Tiny Fogger being used inside sports mascot costumes, small onstage props for magicians, and in a decorative dragon-head trophy! Despite its small size, the Tiny Fogger has almost the same output as a standard "party" fogger, meaning that it can be used on stage and still produce a significant visible effect.
In addition to its small size, the Tiny Fogger also operates very efficiently. There isn't a traditional heat exchanger inside the fog head. A heat exchanger in a normal fog machine is like a small oven; it heats up to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit in order to vaporize the fog fluid. This means that most foggers become hot to the touch once they reach their operating temperature. Without a traditional heat exchanger, the Tiny Fogger stays cool enough to be used in costumes and other places where excess heat might be a liability. Also, the majority of a standard fog machine's electrical requirements are due to the need to keep the heat exchanger hot, which means the Tiny Fogger uses a lot less electricity, which makes battery-powered operation possible.
Let's face it, the smallest fog machine in the world wouldn't be such a great thing if it had to constantly be connected to a 120-volt wall outlet for power. The battery that the Tiny Fogger uses is the same size as an old-style camcorder battery. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided a six-foot power cable so that the battery can be stored away from the fog head. In costuming, the battery is usually worked into a belt-pack of some sort while the fog head is placed where it's needed. The Tiny Fogger can be controlled with the built-in fog switch or via wireless remote.
Wireless control makes the Tiny Fogger incredibly versatile. The fog head, fluid tank and battery can be built into a set-piece or prop and the effect can be controlled from offstage. This combination of small size and wireless control allows special effects producers to create some truly magical effects. In addition to the wireless remote, a digital timer is available that allows the Tiny Fogger to run in stand-alone mode. Finally, a DMX interface allows designers using DMX control for their shows to add the Tiny Fogger into their cues.
It's the combination of small size, efficient battery-powered operation and customizable controls that makes the Tiny Fogger such a great device. As more designers and producers learn about the Tiny Fogger, you'll see it -- or, rather, you won't see it -- on Broadway, television and at the movies. The next time you see a fog effect that seems to be impossible, take another look, there's probably a Tiny Fogger hiding somewhere.
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Theatre Effects Customer Service Department
service@theatrefx.com
www.theatrefx.com
Theatre Effects, 1810 Airport Exchange Blvd. #400, Erlanger, KY 41018
Phone: 1-800-791-7646 or 513-772-7646 Fax: 513-772-3579
