Snow

The two main categories of snow are falling snow and laid snow. There is also the blizzard. All three are frequently required for studio and location work.

In the studio the materials used must be non-toxic and fire resistant; outdoors the laid variety must adhere and not blow away; it must also be kind to trees and grass.

Because of its excellent visual qualities, industrial salt is sometimes used for laid snow, but should never be employed where it would corrode the wheels of camera dollies or metal-work, or where it would kill vegetation.

Certain powder-filled fire extinguishers may be sprayed around to whiten rough ground or areas of concrete or asphalt.

Fire foam generated by commercial equipment is often used to cover large areas outdoors but has a relatively short life.

Falling snow in studio

For gently falling snow, pre-shredded paper or macerated polythene is dispensed from snow machines hung above the studio set. A motor-driven spiked-rod pushes the material through slots in the bottom of a container. Outdoor paper snow cannot be used in snow machines.

Falling snow outdoors

This is best left to specialist contractors who can provide powerful blowers which blast paper snow into the air above the action. Wind machines can turn this into a blizzard, but a gentle snowfall is impractical on a windy location.

Paper snow

A technique based on interlocking paper flakes can be used for both falling and laid snow outdoors. On the ground the flakes interlock producing a stable covering unaffected by winds of up to 20 miles per hour. For even greater stability, a water spray is used to dampen the material. With this technique it is possible to apply snow to buildings and vegetation. Regarded as non-toxic, non-irritant, non-corrosive and bio-degradable, it is also fire resistant and harmless to fabrics and delicate surfaces.

Paper snow may be bought and spread by hand; for outdoor work, the equipment used for covering large areas may be hired.

Polystyrene granules

Spread on the studio floor, polystyrene granules will resemble snow. Large drifts can be simulated by laying it over sacks of sawdust or fire-proofed straw. Indoors where they can be swept up polystyrene granules are popular; outdoors they blow around and are difficult to clear afterwards.

For blizzards see page 148.