25 May 2011
The MDG Ice Fog Q is being used for the first time in South Africa for Jesus Christ Superstar at Artscape Cape Town to be followed by performances at the Teatro at Montecasino. The fixture is receiving a “thumbs up” for a consistent atmospheric effect.
Rental company MGG Production recently purchased the MDG Ice Fog Q and it is out on a long-term hire to Gearhouse Splitbeam, who in turn are using it for Jesus Christ Superstar.
Splitbeam supplied the full lighting package for the production including 50 Vari-Lites, 18 Wybron Scrollers and a bunch of ETC Source 4’s, however the MDG was one of the most important effects for the production .
“Originally the director wanted to go with dry ice,” said Alistair Kilbee, MD from Gearhouse Splitbeam. Alistair discussed the option of instead going with the Ice Fog Q. “They are very happy with the end result. It’s definitely easier than dry ice with a lot more control and a consistent effect.”
The MDG Ice Fog Q uses liquid carbon dioxide to create low lying fog and is a quiet running unit.
Owner of rental company MGG Productions, Mark Gaylard, who has Jem Glaciators in stock, extended his product line with the inclusion of the Ice Fog Q. “When I saw the machine for the first time it had the same output as five machines at work, and the fog stays on the ground,” said Mark Gaylard. “Because it uses a 180 kg cylinder (of CO₂) it is ideal for long term rentals.” Furthermore, the machine automatically purges the pipes which prevents clogging.
Perhaps nobody could describe the MDG Ice Fog Q quite like Denis Hutchinson, lighting designer for Superstar. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “I used it for the crucifixion scene where the stage is blanketed in fog for a constant seven minutes. It’s absolutely awesome, I don’t know of another machine that does this. I would recommend it, it does the job beautifully.”
