As a seasoned Hallmark movie enthusiast who has spent countless winter seasons wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping hot cocoa while watching these heartwarming flicks, I must say, I was initially taken aback to learn that the snow in many of these movies isn’t always what it seems. However, after delving deeper into the secrets behind these magical cinematic experiences, I find myself even more captivated by the artistry and ingenuity that goes into creating these holiday masterpieces.
It’s occasionally revealed that Hallmark films employ specific techniques to create their heartwarming productions. One such trick is filming during the summer or non-snowy seasons, giving the illusion of winter in holiday movies. Despite my initial assumptions that snow scenes were entirely fabricated, I discovered there’s a lot more to learn about this topic. In fact, while some snow may be artificial, it’s not always the case.
A beloved Christmas movie from Hallmark is set for a follow-up titled “Three Wise Men and a Boy“. This new installment promises more dance sequences, and it’s slated to premiere on November 3, making its way onto your holiday viewing schedule. The cast, including Paul Campbell and Tyler Hynes, have shared some interesting tidbits about the production. Interestingly, they opted not to use artificial snow but instead utilized something called fish ice to capture those snowy scenes during filming in April of 2024.
Fish Ice Versus Snowcel
For years, a foamite mix was used to mimic fake snow on the big screen, per LAist. Back in the ‘80s a new standard was created for fake snow in movies with the advent of snowcel. If you look at snow in the Harry Potter franchise that’s what you are seeing – bits of paper created to look like real snow. Digital effects can often enhance fake snow on the big and small screen these days, but according to US Magazine, Hallmark does it the old fashioned way – at least on Three Wiser Men and a Boy.
As a gamer, I’d say: According to the magazine, they bring in that lingering ‘frozen sea’ ice for scenes where it needs to look like it just snowed, even though the sun is shining now. The crew dumps snow from wheelbarrows in strategic spots to trick the cameras, and they wet down the sidewalk first before laying the fish ice on set to make it seem like the ice is melting. This clever trick creates an illusion that it was snowing a while ago, but the truth is, it’s all staged!
A Little More Movie Magic?
To achieve an authentic “just snowed” atmosphere, director Terry Ingram of the film “Three Wiser Men and a Boy” strategically placed a tray of snow close to the camera, making the snow-like fish appear more prevalent than it might seem under normal circumstances. Brilliant!
It appears that not every Hallmark movie may afford elaborate winter capers, as one of their producers admitted they employ a soft-focus lens to make bedding scattered in the backdrop resemble falling snow. Indeed, this is true.
While it’s important to mention not all the snow depicted in the film is entirely artificial, there may be some debate about this – at least from my perspective – as ice that resembles snow could also be considered real. Despite this uncertainty, the snow remains cold and wet, effectively transforming April into December for the film. This could come in handy if you ever require such a wintery effect.
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2024-11-11 00:37