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You might have noticed lighter than usual posting this week. For the past several days we have been hard at work making our new product line ready for market, and adding it to the Thomas FX Online Store.

Now, thanks to a solid effort by our entire team, I am pleased to announce this latest Thomas FX product line . . . Non Toxic Colored Smoke Effects. Perfect for hazmat training, movie making, or special events, it can be used as a stand alone smoke effect, or combined with fireworks to enhance displays.

Colored Smoke Effects is not a "hazardous" good. As such, it can be safely handled and inexpensively transported via traditional carriers without incurring hazardous goods handling charges. This is not a controlled pyrotechnic product, and it is not a firework. Of even more importance, it is NOT a toxic substance. We recommend that you do not use this product indoors as the smoke WILL STAIN anything it comes into contact with.

Colored Smoke Effects are available in two sizes, the regular smoke effect which generates about 1250 cubic feet of colored smoke during a period of two to four minutes, and the larger high volume version which generates about 2500 cubic feet of smoke in the same period of time. Non Toxic Colored Smoke Effects are sold in packages of 5 units. You can purchase packs of five single colors, or a multi pack that includes 5 different colors. Available colors include: White, Blue, Purple, Red, Orange, and Yellow.

We have created a new product category SMOKE EFFECTS in our online store. Colored Smoke Effects can also be purchased Online on the HAUNT EFFECTS page under our HALLOWEEN SUPPLIES category. Since this is NOT a pyrotechnic product, or a firework, you do not require a pyrotechnician's licence, or special permit to purchase it. Colored Smoke Effects from Thomas FX can be purchased year round by members of the general public.

For your convenience we have produced a demonstration video and posted it on our YouTube page this morning. Hopefully you will find it useful, informative and perhaps even entertaining.

Thomas FX remains committed to supporting film and entertainment industry productions around the world by suppling high quality, hard to find, special effects production supplies. Our Corporate Mission is to make special effects magic available to all.

Special Effects Coordinator Tony Lazarowich dropped by today with some unique special effects consignment equipment that he has asked us to sell for him.

The 4 Ultra Foggers shown in the picture were built for, and used repeatedly on, Stargate - SG1 and all of the long running show's spin-offs. These machines create a steady flow of cool water mist, much like the traditional Mee-Foggers, but on steroids. Tony tells us that he purchased an entire pallet of Ultra Foggers when the show wrapped a couple of years ago. Much of the surplus gear has been purchased by Vancouver-based special effects technicians, and the rest has been consigned to Thomas FX for clearance. According to Tony, these Ultra Foggers were custom made for the Stargate crew at a cost of about $3,000 per unit. We are selling them for only $700 each!

Tony is also offering 2 LeMaitre Show Foggers for sale. These industrial strength fog machines were originally used in the doomed Vancouver themed attraction Storyeum. Unfortunately, this attraction never achieved traction in the local market and quickly closed. The foggers had been sitting in a warehouse for years when Tony purchased them. Tony tells us they have hardly been used, and judging how quickly Storyeum came and went, I am inclined to take him at his word. Today's price for a new Show Fogger is about $1,399. We are selling these two "lightly used" units at $700 each!

You will have seen Tony's work as Special Effects Coodinator on movie projects such as: The Day The Earth Stood Still, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, Elf, Deck The Halls, Alien vs Predator: Requiem . . . and also on Television projects  such as The Andromeda Strain and Virtuality. Check out Tony's website for more information.

We Look At The World Differently

So why are we helping out a firm that has positioned itself as one of our competitors in the local marketplace? . . . Because at Thomas FX we still believe in building "community". What goes around, comes around. We also believe in abundance. In our world view, there is plenty for everyone. A Utopian point of view perhaps, but we honestly believe that each one of us has an obligation to do good in this world and to lend a helping hand whenever an opportunity presents itself.

If you are interested in acquiring any of this professional special effects equipment, just Contact Betty and she will help with all the shipping and logistics details.

On the other hand, if you are a special effects professional with surplus equipment to sell, let us know. Perhaps we can help to turn some of your used Gak into cold hard cash.

Keep checking the Used Equipment page on the Thomas FX website for surplus equipment updates and buy online, or make an offer.

NOTE: There is no warranty on used special effects equipment. Buyers must rely on the reputation of the Seller, and on the Seller's representations, which we report dutifully. Thomas FX makes no representations about the quality or condition of any of the consignment inventory that we offer for sale on behalf of third parties.



Charlton Heston studies 'Alaska' script on Thomas stunt pads

Congratulatons to Norway's Kai Rodseth for expanding his stunt business with quality new and used stunt and rigging equipment from Thomas FX, and also to Martin Hogberg, Sweden's leading Special Effects Coordinator. Thomas FX has been a leader in unique stunt and special effects equipment, as well as hard to find production supplies, for more than four decades.

Ten years ago, we decided that we would no longer go to set as a stunt and special effects organization. Rather, since we are widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the Canadian film industry, we wanted to give back to the industry that has been so good to us for so long. Now, we no longer compete with our customers for business, we stand behind them and help them to become more successful.

The Thomas FX team is fully dedicated to helping special effects and entertainment professionals around the world to succeed in building their businesses, by being the best in the world, with world class support behind them. Part of how we do that is by taking the worry out of purchasing equipment and production supplies . . . ie., Will it arrive? Will it arrive in time? Will it be what I ordered? Can I rely on the quality? Will there be any hidden costs?

When an order is placed with Thomas FX, you can count on receiving quality equipment and production supplies, at the prices quoted up front, when you need them, and wherever you need them in the world. In addition to eliminating uncertainty we also take away your logistics headaches, and we facilitate customs documentation and cross border clearances.

Experience the Thomas FX difference. Let us support your next production and let us make your job easier by taking away the worry so you can focus on producing world class entertainment.

I am pleased to introduce the latest addition to our family; this rare Gibson koa wood, triple pickup, gold plated, "CS 356 Custom" beauty.

When I found out there were only three exactly like it in existance, I just couldn't resist. Pricey . . . . but well worth it.

Andre from the vintage and custom guitar department at Vancouver's Long & McQuade outlet scoped out my personal tastes in guitars then claimed this rare gem for me when he visited Gibson's custom shop in Nashville a few weeks ago.

Seriously, waiting for the guitar to clear customs was almost like waiting for a new baby. However, the "baby" eventually arrived and it looks great in my collection.

It is "almost" criminal that this amazing instrument will never tour, but I readily admit to feeling no guilt whatsoever.

Coincidentally, when I went in to pick up my CS 356, Betty and I bumped into Vancouver Special Effects Coordinator Gary Minielly who was in the store helping his son to pick out a new axe. Gary had just wrapped "Sleeper", a new media film project, the day before.

You will have seen Gary's work on films such as: I Robot, Tron: Legacy, 2012, X-Men 3: The Last Stand, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, and the TV Series Kyle XY.