Fake snow

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A White House decoration volunteer throws fake snow onto a Christmas tree at the White House White House Christmas (23972221597).jpg
A White House decoration volunteer throws fake snow onto a Christmas tree at the White House

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

Contents

Fake snow has been made from many materials. In the early 1900s, decorative snow was sometimes made from borax flakes and even ammonia. [1]

Before the dangers of asbestos were known, the substance was sold for Christmas tree decoration. It was also used to simulate snow in films, including Citizen Kane and possibly The Wizard of Oz , [2] although gypsum may have been used [3] until it was banned. 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. [4]

Film and theatre

Fake snow at a filming location for the Doctor Who 2013 Christmas Special Fake snow at Puzzlewood.jpg
Fake snow at a filming location for the Doctor Who 2013 Christmas Special

When snow-like scenery is needed in live theatre, materials have included feathers, cotton, paper, breakfast cereal and potato flakes. [5] To reduce the cleanup problem, many theatres use "snow generators" which create soapy white bubbles which disappear after a short time. [6] A similar process has been used in film studios and backlots; one well-known example is It's a Wonderful Life . [7] Director, Frank Capra, refused cornflake snow made from asbestos and gypsum. Working with Russell Sherman, special effects artist, they created fake snow from foamite, soap, sugar, and water. The mixture was then released from high-pressure cans, causing the fake snowfall to appear natural. The properties of the fake snow were also realistic as actors could clump the mixture in their hands and leave footprints on the ground. Shearman along with his staffers, Jack Lannan and Marty Martin won an Oscar, the Technical Achievement Award, for their special effects efforts. [8]

For outdoor film scenes needing large amounts of fake snow, salt was an inexpensive choice, but damaging to soil and plant life. [9] Gypsum and bleached or painted cereal flakes have often been used; [10] a less noisy alternative is paper, which is shredded and spread by specially-built machines. [11] Snow blankets, made from woven tapestries, are typically used to represent large areas of snow for a background. [12]

Many productions turn to eco-friendly fake snow, crafted from recycled paper and food-quality ingredients, to build expansive winter settings. Its biodegradable makeup ensures it dissolves harmlessly, preventing environmental runoff. [13] SnowCel, a paper-based material, is know for replicating various snowfalls and frost. The modern industry commonly uses SnowCel as its properties are non-toxic. [14]

Finally, the newest method for creating movie snow involves adding it digitally during post-production. Specialized software generates realistic snow overlays, allowing editors to choose from many detailed effects, such as falling, piling, or melting snow. [15]

Making Fake Snow

A common method for creating artificial snow at home involves combining household materials. To make this mixture, baking soda and hair conditioner are placed in a bowl, and small amounts of water are gradually added until the texture becomes slightly sticky. Decorative items such as beads, buttons, or other craft materials may be mixed in to enhance the appearance and texture of the fake snow. [16]

References

  1. ↑ Derek McCormack (1 October 2005). Christmas Days: From Fake Snow to Santalands, The Things That Make Christmas Christmas. House of Anansi Press Incorporated. p. 13. ISBN   978-0-88784-946-6.
  2. ↑ "Was Fake Snow made from asbestos marketed as Christmas decor?". Snopes. Bethania Palma, 22 December 2017.
  3. ↑ The wizardry of Oz : The artistry and magic of the 1939 M-G-M classic. 2004. ISBN   978-1-55783-624-3.
  4. ↑ " A look at Christmas tree tech from the 1940s through today". Digitrends, By Brinke Guthrie — November 26, 2016
  5. ↑ Dominique Brégent-Heald (November 2015). Borderland Films: American Cinema, Mexico, and Canada During the Progressive Era. U of Nebraska Press. p. 84. ISBN   978-0-8032-7884-4.
  6. ↑ Vicki Cobb (1 January 2006). On Stage. LernerClassroom. p. 19. ISBN   978-0-8225-9043-9.
  7. ↑ "6 things you probably didn't know about 'It's a Wonderful Life'". Mother Nature Network, Matt Hickman, December 14, 2011
  8. ↑ Alaska, David Reamer | Histories of. "From cotton to cornflakes and even asbestos, here's how moviemakers have tried to reproduce snow". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  9. ↑ Kristi McKim (2013). Cinema as Weather: Stylistic Screens and Atmospheric Change. Routledge. p. 139. ISBN   978-0-415-89412-8.
  10. ↑ John Alton (5 February 2013). Painting With Light. Univ of California Press. p. 64. ISBN   978-0-520-27584-3.
  11. ↑ Danielle S. Hammelef (2015). Explosive Scenes: Fireballs, Furious Storms, and More Live Special Effects. Capstone. p. 18. ISBN   978-1-4914-2003-4.
  12. ↑ Nationwide, Heather Morrison. "Faux snow on movie sets: How do they do it?". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  13. ↑ Nationwide, Heather Morrison. "Faux snow on movie sets: How do they do it?". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  14. ↑ Alaska, David Reamer | Histories of. "From cotton to cornflakes and even asbestos, here's how moviemakers have tried to reproduce snow". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  15. ↑ Nationwide, Heather Morrison. "Faux snow on movie sets: How do they do it?". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  16. ↑ marketeer (2023-12-30). "Fake Snow Sensory Play". Living Montessori Education Community. Retrieved 2025-10-07.

Further reading

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