How Is Dry Ice Used in Productions?

From horror to sci-fi genres, fantasy, and more, film productions big and small employ a variety of techniques using dry ice to generate thick, billowy fog for enhancing the mood of a scene and accentuating lighting effects.

Thick fog creates an interesting effect that helps diffuse light and soften shadows and highlights, but it can be difficult to create and maintain for multiple takes using a standard fog machine and its specially manufactured fog fluid (although dry ice can also be used in conjunction with some fog machines to create a low-lying fog effect).

The main reason standard fog machines may not work as well as dry ice is due to the temperature in which the machine heats the fog fluid/fog juice, resulting in a thin fog effect that quickly dissipates. Dry ice, on the other hand, can produce a heavy and thick fog effect when added to hot or boiling water. The dense fog sinks to the ground and can easily be directed via a fan.

For some examples of how dry ice works in creating low hanging fog effects, check out this short video:

“Get a Sci-Fi Look with Dry Ice & Fog!” by Film Riot

How Does Dry Ice Create Thick Fog?

Dry ice, which is the solid form of carbon dioxide, makes fog because of its cold temperature (-109.3°F or -78.5°C) and inability to exist as a liquid at atmospheric pressure. As dry ice is immersed in hot water, it sublimates and produces vigorously bubbling water – bubbles that are filled with cold gas. As the bubbles escape through the water’s surface, they cause tiny water droplets in the air to form a cloud of actual water vapor fog. Of course, the process of sublimation occurs even when the dry ice is exposed to room temperature air, but the effect is magnified when dry ice is placed in water, especially hot water.

The fog sinks toward the ground for two reasons – the first is because it is colder than the air, and the second is because carbon dioxide is denser than air. This is important to note because extra carbon dioxide is being added to the air, with the highest concentration near the floor, which can present an asphyxiation hazard or cause other unpleasant symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, and shortness of breath without proper ventilation. In addition, the cold temperature of the dry ice has the potential to cause frostbite, so it must be handled with protective gloves.

Technological advances over time have drastically improved the health and safety hazards that are present in creating fog effects, so there are many other safe fog fluid options available today, but dry ice remains an inexpensive, and quite frankly a very interesting, product to use in your production. However, it can be difficult to transport and store as well as dangerous if handled improperly, so it is best if you work with a professional who understands how dry ice works and knows the best practices for handling, storing, and using it.

If you are looking for equipment rentals, special effects crew, or prop masters and prop assistants in Nevada to help create atmospheric fog, smoke or haze for your next production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find experienced Nevada production crew and support services or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

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