Fake snow

{{About|imitation snow|artificially created real snow|Snowmaking}}

File:White House Christmas (23972221597).jpg

Fake snow is any product which simulates the appearance and texture of snow, without being made from frozen crystalline water.

Fake snow has been made from many materials. In the early 1900s, decorative snow was sometimes made from borax flakes and even ammonia.{{cite book|author=Derek McCormack|title=Christmas Days: From Fake Snow to Santalands, The Things That Make Christmas Christmas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A6ejHlAPRiYC&pg=PT13|date=1 October 2005|publisher=House of Anansi Press Incorporated|isbn=978-0-88784-946-6|page=13}}

Before the dangers of asbestos were known, the substance was sold for Christmas tree decoration. Gypsum was also used to simulate snow in films, including The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Kane.[https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/was-fake-snow-made-from-asbestos-marketed-as-christmas-decor/ "Was Fake Snow made from asbestos marketed as Christmas decor?"]. Snopes. Bethania Palma, 22 December 2017. Actor Lon Chaney died after fake snow was lodged in his throat.

Fake snow has also been sold in spray cans which could apply the flocking to windows and indoor displays.[https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/a-look-at-retro-christmas-trees/ " A look at Christmas tree tech from the 1940s through today"]. Digitrends, By Brinke Guthrie — November 26, 2016

Film and theatre

File:Fake snow at Puzzlewood.jpg 2013 Christmas Special]]

When snow-like scenery is needed in live theatre, materials have included feathers, cotton, paper, breakfast cereal and potato flakes.{{cite book|author=Dominique Brégent-Heald|title=Borderland Films: American Cinema, Mexico, and Canada During the Progressive Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YXCPCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT84|date=November 2015|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=978-0-8032-7884-4|page=84}} To reduce the cleanup problem, many theatres use "snow generators" which create soapy white bubbles which disappear after a short time.{{cite book|author=Vicki Cobb|title=On Stage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoKlAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA19|date=1 January 2006|publisher=LernerClassroom|isbn=978-0-8225-9043-9|page=19}} A similar process has been used in film studios and backlots; one well-known example is It's a Wonderful Life.[https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/6-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-its-a-wonderful-life "6 things you probably didn't know about 'It's a Wonderful Life'"]. Mother Nature Network, Matt Hickman, December 14, 2011

For outdoor film scenes needing large amounts of fake snow, salt was an inexpensive choice, but damaging to soil and plant life.{{cite book|author=Kristi McKim|title=Cinema as Weather: Stylistic Screens and Atmospheric Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRrxQkqrFaQC&pg=PA139|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-89412-8|page=139}} Gypsum and bleached or painted cereal flakes have often been used;{{cite book|author=John Alton|title=Painting With Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v7MwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA64|date=5 February 2013|publisher=Univ of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-27584-3|page=64}} a less noisy alternative is paper, which is shredded and spread by specially-built machines.{{cite book|author=Danielle S. Hammelef|title=Explosive Scenes: Fireballs, Furious Storms, and More Live Special Effects|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TFrmBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA18|year=2015|publisher=Capstone|isbn=978-1-4914-2003-4|page=18}}

Newer technology has created biodegradable, eco-friendly fake snow made of food grade ingredients that dissolve in the rain without leaving residue. Cellulose and other types leave harmful residue when they get wet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/lifestyle/helping-the-uk-film-industry-to-become-greener/24/09/|title = Helping the UK Film Industry to become Greener| work=The London Economic |date = 24 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/movie-guide/snow+snow/9085014/story.html|title = Home | Vancouver Sun | author1=Penner }}

File:Schneemaschine-fuer-Kunstschnee-transportabel.jpg|Theater snow machine

File:Schneemaschine-fuer-Kunstschnee-mit-Rollen.jpg|Theater snow machine on wheels

File:Santa Snow.jpg|Aerosol can of artificial snow

Fake snow

Film and theatre

References

Further reading