Learn How to Build a Good DIY Rain Machine for $15 (& a Great One for $60)

If your scene is calling for rain, don't wait for Mother Nature to get her act together.

You can create your own rain and not spend a ton of money to do it. Here's a tutorial by Tom Antos that shows you how to construct two different rain machines: a $15 rig made out of a flat sprinkler hose and a sturdier $60 to $70 rig made out of PVC pipe.

Before you get too far into making either of these rigs, here are a few things you should know. First of all, movie rain is not like real rain. Real rain tends to be more sparse with smaller droplets and tends to not show up on-camera. This is part of the reason why filmmakers will use/create rain machines that disperse huge, thick water droplets that will register on-screen.

Secondly, getting that sexy movie rain may require more than just a simple garden hose or PVC pipe -- something more along the lines of a fire hose. That's not to say that you can't get great results from Antos' rig, but just be aware that it may not look as thick or full as you might hope.

Lastly, you might want to use a few other things to help your movie rain look more dynamic, like smoke, debris (leaves, etc.), or Fullers earth, as well as a fan to blow all of that around.

In the end, if all you have is a regular old hose, don't fret. If you light your scene well and turn that spigot up full blast, you should be alright.     

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Your Comment

11 Comments

but where to find a portable water reservoir for such money ^^

January 9, 2015 at 6:42AM

1
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Filmdudezero
Director
340

ha!

January 9, 2015 at 6:50AM

8
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is that a special effect in the bottom left corner at 0.45?

January 9, 2015 at 6:46AM

0
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I think that's the dog...I mean, it could be a ghost or something, but it looks like the dog that's running around in the first setup.

January 9, 2015 at 8:03AM

0
Reply

well spotted!

January 9, 2015 at 8:49AM

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Filmdudezero
Director
340

looks like a dog on set.

January 9, 2015 at 10:56AM

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German
Editor
81

well spotted!

January 9, 2015 at 12:16PM

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Filmdudezero
Director
340

Good eye. Looks like a dog or some pet, maybe the Chupacabra!!! Someone should check on Tom see if he's ok. lol

January 9, 2015 at 12:26PM

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Luna Videography
Videographer
614

its a dog I think

January 9, 2015 at 11:31PM

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matt
808

It's a dog, it can be seen throughout the video. For example, see 2:35 or so.

January 10, 2015 at 1:13AM

3
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David West
Filmmaker
1380

That is very helpful article. I was wait for it.
Thank you

January 11, 2015 at 10:59PM

0
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Ephrem Abebe
Director and Cinematographer
81