Show dictionary · Lighting
Haze
Haze is a fine, even atmospheric suspension produced by a hazer that makes light beams visible in the air without reading as smoke. Fog, by contrast, is dense and cloud-like; haze is the invisible medium every aerial beam look depends on.
In practice
Light needs particles to scatter off or the air shows nothing: without haze, a beam rig is expensive fixtures pointing at nothing. Hazers meter fluid (water- or oil-based) into a fine particulate and rely on air movement for even distribution, which is why fans and HVAC are part of the look.
The operational realities: venues require notification because haze trips smoke detection (fire panel bypass is a formal process), unions and artists negotiate exposure, and outdoor haze is a wind gamble. "Haze levels" are a show-caller-visible cue in many rigs, ridden like a fader all night.
How you’ll hear it
"Bump the hazers two minutes before the opener; the beam look needs air by the first chorus."
Related resources
Part of the eventools.io Show Dictionary, a free glossary of live event production terminology.