Adhesive cloth tape used to secure lighting gels, diffusion material, and equipment to lights and set structures.
Technical Details
Snot Tape is supplied as standard in widths of 12mm, 25mm, and 50mm, with a thickness of 0.08mm. The heat-resistant polyurethane can withstand temperatures up to 180°C and leaves no adhesive residue on glass or metal when removed. The transmission is approximately 60-70%, with a selective enhancement of the green-yellow portion. Gaffers prefer the 25mm variant for spot corrections on Fresnel lenses or the 50mm width for large-area shading on Kinoflo tubes.
History & Development
Lee Filters developed the first commercial Snot Tape in 1987 as a cost-effective alternative to color gels for minor lighting modifications. Originally designed for theater stages, the material became established on film sets from the early 1990s. The breakthrough came in 1994 during the filming of "Interview with the Vampire," where cinematographer Philippe Rousselot used it for subtle skin tone corrections. Modern variants have offered improved adhesion and UV resistance since 2010.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins extensively used Snot Tape on "Blade Runner 2049" for the warm interior lighting of the Wallace Corporation. Typically, the gaffer tapes individual strips over parts of the Fresnel lens to soften hard shadows or eliminate hotspots. For night shots, the tape dims excessively bright streetlights in the background without requiring separate ND filters. The main advantage lies in its quick, reversible application directly on the light fixture. Disadvantages include limited durability under heat and slight color shifts that can be problematic in critical color-matching situations.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike diffusion material (Hampshire Frost, Opal), Snot Tape does not scatter light but merely reduces its intensity. Modern LED panels with stepless dimming have reduced the need, but the tape remains indispensable for analog tungsten and HMI fixtures without electronic control. Neutral Density Gel offers more precise color rendition but requires larger gel frames. Since 2018, magnetic ND material, which attaches to metal fixtures without adhesive, has been a competitor.