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I needed a hazer recently for "Les Miserables School Edition". I needed one that could run at variable output rates for the entire 2-1/2 show, and do so without setting off the smoke detectors or harming the voices of the singers.
The one I purchased did all of this perfectly!
http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/IMG_3402.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/IMG_3402.JPG
It was $600.00, plus another $100.00 for the DMX interface module. (We ended up controlling it manually from backstage, so I did not use the DMX component for this particular production).
The quality of the "haze" was outstanding. I had the crew run it at 30% for general scenes and at 100% for the bridge scene and the battles at the barricade. Here is a photo of a somber moment in the barricade scene. I made the haze pop to life by using Roscolux 383 gel in my 1000 watt low-angle backlights.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/IMG_3436.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/IMG_3436.JPG
The hazer is stage-left behind the wooden staircase. The flow of air-conditioning goes toward stage-right. So this created a perfect left-to-right flow of thick haze that pretty much stayed upstage behind the barricade. Here is another snapshot taken from the pit:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/LMisWings.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/LMisWings.jpg
In this photo of the bridge scene, you can see the nice foggy effect for Javert's dramatic solo. The haze hangs well in mid-air, and in this scene it actually looks like I'm running an old-fashioned Fog Machine.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/DSC_0226.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignLesMis/DSC_0226.JPG
This hazer can run for an entire 6 hour tech rehearsal before the tank needs to be refilled. The haze seems to be extremely safe. There is absolutely no musty odor. There is no slippery fallout on the stage like from a chemical fogger. And like I mentioned, there were absolutely no complaints or coughing from our singers. But best of all, the water-based haze did not set off the smoke alarms in the house or in the HVAC ducts backstage. (However, I must admit that when I was testing the DMX functions with the machine in the confines of the lighting booth, I set off the fire alarm...DOH!)
The price of this unit may seem high, but I see it as an investment in my theatre's gear for the next 10 or 15 years. Besides, the Director was quick to justify the cost because she wanted me to "light the air" for Les Miserables. Now that I have this machine, I plan to use it in place of my old Rosco Fog machine in many instances, because when set at 100% output, it has the same effect as the old chemical fogger...only safer.
Good luck, Dana
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Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
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