Need an idea on making fake smoke look like it is moving

[NewJeffCT]

My daughter is involved with a school project where they put on a performance/play for an audience.

One thing they have to do in their play is to create the impression that smoke is moving/rising, like from the smoldering husk of a crashed alien spacecraft.

This is a live play, so it is not a computer effect. It will also need to be done cheaply, so no dry ice machines. (though, if you can create a dry ice effect for a few bucks, that might work...)

They were thinking of using some leftover yarn and dying it black and grey for the actual smoke.

Any ideas on how to give the appearance of movement with the smoke?

Thanks

[ret5hd]

1. i believe a pan, water, dry ice and a small fan will work fine...

a pan with as large a surface area as you can find with some water in it, add some dry ice crushed into smaller bits just at the time you want the smoke, and a small fan, maybe one of those hand-held units.

[Chan790]

2. This how I've seen it done on the cheap on film sets.

Usually with a bigger fan though, that dry-ice smoke doesn't move as well you would think it would; it hangs heavy in the air.

[NewJeffCT]

3. thanks

there is also that - the smoke hanging heavy on the air.

[NewJeffCT]

4. afternoon kick

for more input

[Wait Wut]

5. I think tissue paper torn into wide strips

...black, gray and white...layered loosely...might work better than yarn. The tissue paper wouldn't need a fan since the slightest breeze will affect it. If you can't hang it, some of that super thin craft wire might hold it up.

Or, pay 10 chain smokers to hide in a box.

[targetpractice]

6. Not smoke exactly, but what about a pulsing red or orange light at the base...

...of the spacecraft? Like heated molten rock in the crater?

Alternatively...

I bought a simple fog machine for Halloween... It has a little wireless switch to turn it on and off. I always wanted my own fog machine... I saw it in Walgreens, it was cheap, and I had to have it. Turns out I don't have as much use for a fog machine as I thought now that I'm in my 40's

Anyways, I'd be happy to donate it to the cause (I loved making plays with special effects as a kid)... Is there enough time to send it to you? PM if you want to discuss.

[NewJeffCT]

7. Thanks

I will let you know

[IcyPeas]

8. I know this on a much smaller scale....

but I once made some "cigarettes" and at the end got some cotton which I sort of pulled apart and up and it really looked like smoke. maybe you could play with some cotton (I believe they sell rolls of it in the drug store or in a pinch you could use a bunch of big cotton balls.). Just loosely tear it and separate some pieces and shape it. (I hope I am explaining this right)

anyway something to ponder along with the other ideas.

[NewJeffCT]

10. thanks

this would need to visible from several yards away, but that could be a start.

[Bruce Wayne]

9. Do not actually set the school auditorium on fire.

It won't look as realistic as you might think.