For the Número Netherlands photoshoot featuring breakout star Hudson Williams, videographer and editor Andrey Frazão pulled back the curtain to reveal exactly how they transformed a standard ice rink, the LA Kings Valley Ice Center, into a moody, cinematic dreamscape.They also incorporated PMI Gear's SmokeNINJA PRO handheld smoke machine to diffuse the light and create a cinematic touch for some shots.
The Fog Machine Perfect for Run-and-Gun Shoots
Shooting at the LA Kings Valley Ice Center presented two major hurdles: strictly limited time and harsh overhead arena lighting. In a traditional production, overcoming these obstacles would require heavy light modifiers, massive gear stands, and a large crew,luxuries this fast-paced project simply couldn’t afford. To combat the sterile environment under such tight constraints, videographer Andrey Frazão bypassed the bulky setups and leaned entirely into speed and portability.
The ultimate solution came down to a nimble, run-and-gun approach powered by the handheld SmokeNINJA PRO. Free from cords and heavy equipment, the crew was able to move dynamically around breakout star Hudson Williams to capture fluid shots on the fly. By deploying the Hazer kit, Andrey introduced a clean, even layer of atmospheric haze across the rink that acted as a natural diffuser. This instantly softened the aggressive arena overheads into a moody, cinematic glow, transforming a standard ice rink into a high-fashion editorial masterpiece before the clock ran out.
