Frost and Snow SPFX
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My main reference videos were these two on what top use for fake snow, both in the air and on the ground, as well as a second video on creating a fake frost effect on glass. We used it on the windshield/mirrors of the car for the shoot. When shooting on location at night, we focused more on the environment around the car, then when we shot in the soundstage, we focused on creating more of the close-up frost and snow effects on the car itself to create the illusion that the car was still outside, on-location. We also found a backlit backdrop to use behind the windows when shooting on the soundstage. It really sold the illusion that they were still outside in the cold.
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​The fake frost works by way of salt crystals mixed with soap and water to allow it to stick to glass surfaces and have the translucent, misty effect that you see in winter on glass and windows. While shooting, we ended up nixing the snow-machine, but opted for more close-up shots that featured the sodium polyacrylate as fake snow piled on each surface.​
The sodium polyacrylate allowed us to create the look of real snow piled up on the windshield and windows of the car.
The stark contrast of the piles of white snow and dark, brown ground created the illusion that we were in the midst of an icy-cold winter night and less that of a blizzard.
The sodium polyacrylate allowed us to create the look of real snow piled up on the windshield and windows of the car.
Fake Snow on the ground: Sodium Polyacrylate
My goal with creating fake snow to be in the environment, piled up on the car, and on the ground was for it to be as easy to clean up as possible, under the consideration that we would be able to shovel up most of it and throw it in the trash by the end of the shoot. I didn't want any leftover at our location and I made a point to focus on the collection of our materials after shooting so as not to disrupt the natural environment that we were shooting at. I try to apply the policy of having an "exit plan" for all of my materials after shooting to remind my team and the rest of the crew to be mindful of our affect on the environment, whether intentional or not.
Frost on the windows:
Epsom salt, warm water & soap
In making the fake frost, we knew we wanted big ice crystals and frost that looked like it had slowly formed overnight. Not a blizzard, but a cold, wet, and chilly night. Finding the right ratio of epsom salt, soap, and water was the key to making them look so realistic.​​​​​​
Over the entire windshield and side windows, my art pa and I misted the whole car with our frost solution: Epsom salt, warm water, and unscented soap. When it dries, it crystallizes on glass surfaces because of the salt crystals.
At home, I did a test of the frost mist on our glass doors. The beautiful ice crystals showed up within about 20 min and I worked out how much I needed to put on for it to look natural.
Seeing how the frost would react to adding more than one layer and spraying close or far helped the director and I to determine what kid of frost we would want on the car windows.
Over the entire windshield and side windows, my art pa and I misted the whole car with our frost solution: Epsom salt, warm water, and unscented soap. When it dries, it crystallizes on glass surfaces because of the salt crystals.