Does anybody have any experience with rainmakers or simulating rain? at DVinfo.net

James Sutherland · March 19th, 2008, 04:40 AM

Good day,

Does anybody have any experience with rainmakers or simulating rain? Were in pre-productions of a 48min drama and the story requires the presence of rain. I’ve worked out a shot list that would require the least amount of outside shooting but we do have scenes in a park (fortunately all of them takes place at the exact same location/spot).

Now, I know of some techniques that we could use on the wide shots. One is to hose down everything in camera view and then only simulate rain directly in front of the lens. The close-ups will require something more in the form of stands with a network of pipes over the top. I saw in the “making of” Footskating 101 (SA production) rainmakers that stood on the ground spraying up. They were place a few meters away from the action to accommodate the down pour.

If anyone can help or refer me to a very cost effective solution it would be much appreciated. A home made solution would also be great.

Thank you

Tom Vandas · March 19th, 2008, 06:04 AM

Once upon a time I worked in the irrigation industry, and used to sell this stuff to producers who would run in at the last minute needing rain.

Companies like Rainbird and Toro have a spent a fortune developing products that will put out a controlled and even amount of water over a specific surface area.

Eg: http://www.toro.com/irrigation/res/s...tvan_ss_us.pdf

So, for your purpose, if you wanted water to evenly fall on 10x10 feet, I'd use some Toro 12' or 15' Variable Arc Nozzles on 4 raised posts around the boxed area you want to film in. Typically, an average garden tap can drive this since the set up uses about 4 gallons a minute with enough pressure left over to deliver the water.

Or, you can just get a diffusing nozzle on the end of a hose. I've done that before to good effect.

EDIT: Just noticed you're in South Africa, you'd probably have better luck finding Rain Bird parts. So, take a look at pages 11-12 in their DIY catalogue (about 5mb) for general info on their variable spray heads:
http://www.rainbird.com/pdf/diy/DIYCatalog2007.pdf

March 19th, 2008, 04:40 AM	#1
James Sutherland New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Does anybody have any experience with rainmakers or simulating rain? Good day, Does anybody have any experience with rainmakers or simulating rain? Were in pre-productions of a 48min drama and the story requires the presence of rain. I’ve worked out a shot list that would require the least amount of outside shooting but we do have scenes in a park (fortunately all of them takes place at the exact same location/spot). Now, I know of some techniques that we could use on the wide shots. One is to hose down everything in camera view and then only simulate rain directly in front of the lens. The close-ups will require something more in the form of stands with a network of pipes over the top. I saw in the “making of” Footskating 101 (SA production) rainmakers that stood on the ground spraying up. They were place a few meters away from the action to accommodate the down pour. If anyone can help or refer me to a very cost effective solution it would be much appreciated. A home made solution would also be great. Thank you

March 19th, 2008, 06:04 AM	#2
Tom Vandas Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: currently in Kigali, Rwanda Posts: 144	Once upon a time I worked in the irrigation industry, and used to sell this stuff to producers who would run in at the last minute needing rain. Companies like Rainbird and Toro have a spent a fortune developing products that will put out a controlled and even amount of water over a specific surface area. Eg: http://www.toro.com/irrigation/res/s...tvan_ss_us.pdf So, for your purpose, if you wanted water to evenly fall on 10x10 feet, I'd use some Toro 12' or 15' Variable Arc Nozzles on 4 raised posts around the boxed area you want to film in. Typically, an average garden tap can drive this since the set up uses about 4 gallons a minute with enough pressure left over to deliver the water. Or, you can just get a diffusing nozzle on the end of a hose. I've done that before to good effect. EDIT: Just noticed you're in South Africa, you'd probably have better luck finding Rain Bird parts. So, take a look at pages 11-12 in their DIY catalogue (about 5mb) for general info on their variable spray heads: http://www.rainbird.com/pdf/diy/DIYCatalog2007.pdf Last edited by Tom Vandas; March 19th, 2008 at 06:33 AM. Reason: update