Cinematographer
Plastikschnee reflektiert Licht anders als echter Schnee. Ich arbeite mit weichem, diffusem Licht, um die typische Schnee-Atmosphäre zu erzeugen, ohne dass das Material künstlich wirkt.
Artificial snow made from plastic or polymer materials for film and television productions – used to create snowfall and ground coverage effects, available in various sizes and densities, preferred for controlled indoor use due to static properties and consistent appearance.
What is Plastic Snow?
Plastic snow is an artificial polymer snow material used in film and television productions. It provides controlled, reusable snow effects for sets and locations.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyethylene, Polymer |
| Usage | Ground, Snowfall |
| Advantage | Reusable |
| Application | Indoor preferred |
Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Fine Flakes | Small flakes |
| Large Flakes | Large flakes |
| Ground Cover | Ground covering |
| Falling Snow | For machines |
Sizes
| Size | Application |
|---|---|
| Ultra-Fine | Close-ups |
| Medium | Standard shots |
| Large | Background |
| Mixed | Natural look |
Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Static | Adheres to surfaces |
| Reflection | Controllable |
| Durable | Long-lasting |
Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Reusable | Can be used multiple times |
| Weather Independent | Any season |
| Consistent | Uniform |
| Controlled | Doseable |
Disadvantages
| Disadvantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Static | Sticks to everything |
| Environment | Microplastic concerns |
| Outdoor | Wind-sensitive |
| Cleanup | Laborious |
Areas of Application
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Ground | Snow cover |
| Props | Snow-covered |
| Windows | Snow drifts |
| Snowfall | With machines |
Ground Coverage
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Base Layer | Snow blanket as a base |
| Application | Thin layer over blanket |
| Depth | Depending on the scene |
| Texture | Shaped with tools |
Snowfall Application
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Snow Machine | Blower |
| Drop Box | Falling from above |
| Hand Drop | Manual |
| Wind Machine | Horizontal movement |
Combination with Other Materials
| Material | Combination |
|---|---|
| Paper Snow | For falling effects |
| Snow Blanket | As a base |
| Ice Crystals | For sparkle |
| Fake Ice | Frozen elements |
Camera Considerations
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Diffuse, soft |
| Reflection | Control |
| Close-Up | Fine flakes |
| Wide Shot | Overall impression |
Cleanup
| Method | Application |
|---|---|
| Vacuuming | Main method |
| Blowing | Large areas |
| Sweeping | Rough removal |
| Collecting | For reuse |
Safety
| Aspect | Measure |
|---|---|
| Slipping Hazard | Use mats |
| Respiratory Protection | With large amounts of material |
| Eye Protection | When using blowers |
| Fire Safety | Check material |
Environmental Alternatives
| Alternative | Description |
|---|---|
| Bio-Snow | Biodegradable |
| Paper | Recyclable |
| Soap | Foam snow |
| Digital | VFX snow |
Budget Considerations
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Price per kg |
| Quantity | Calculate area |
| Reuse | Reduces costs |
| Cleanup | Allocate time |
Typical Quantities
| Area | Required Quantity |
|---|---|
| Small (10m²) | 5-10 kg |
| Medium (50m²) | 25-50 kg |
| Large (100m²) | 50-100 kg |
| Very Large | Individual |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Perform tests | Material behavior |
| Check lighting | Reflections |
| Plan cleanup | Allocate time |
| Combination | With other materials |
Today
Plastic snow remains an important material for controlled snow effects, especially in studio productions. However, increasing environmental concerns are driving the development of biodegradable alternatives. Today, the combination with digital effects allows for photorealistic snow scenes with reduced material usage.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Plastikschnee gibt mir Kontrolle über Winter-Szenen bei jedem Wetter. Ob Schneefall im Studio oder Winterlandschaft im Sommer – das Material macht es möglich.
Producer
Plastikschnee ist wiederverwendbar und wetterunabhängig. Bei Indoor-Produktionen ist er oft die wirtschaftlichste Lösung für überzeugende Schnee-Effekte.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Sfx · Material
Paper Snow / Confetti Snow / Shredded Paper Snow
Artificial snow made from specially treated biodegradable paper or plastic materials…
Sfx · Material
Snow Blanket / Snow Cover / Ground Snow
Production · Terms
Snow Machine
VFX
special effects
Set · Technique
Set Dressing / Dressing / Set Decoration
The process of furnishing and decorating film sets with props, furniture, and decorative…
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Was beschreibt „Plastikschnee / Kunststoffschnee / Kunstschnee-Flocken" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Plastikschnee / Kunststoffschnee / Kunstschnee-Flocken"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?