Global Special Effects

Global Special Effects, formally known as Snow Masters Inc., is a special effects company headquartered in Lexington, Alabama. The firm, founded in 1992 by a former magician, specializes in artificial snow, cryo, smoke, bubble and fog machines. The company's products have been used in music videos such as "Back to December" by Taylor Swift and "Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber, film productions such as Harry Potter and Lucky, television shows such as Fear Factor, and at major theme parks around the world.

## History

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The company was founded in 1992 after a former magician utilized a system for producing artificial snow to use in his magic shows.[1] The company developed a 98% water and 2% surfactant solution[2] which evaporates shortly after touching the ground,[1] known as Evaporative Snow, as well as machines to distribute the substance in various forms. Global Special Effects has subsequently branched into other products, including fog, cryo, confetti, foam, scent, bubbles, smoke, and Flogos machines.

### Federal raid and criminal conviction

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ln September of 2021, federal agents raided Global Special Effects as part of an investigation into money laundering, bribery, and fraud related to government contracts.[3][4] Company owner Francisco Guerra was indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.[5] In May 2025, Guerra was sentenced to five years in federal prison.[6]

## Products

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Global Special Effects' main product offering is its proprietary artificial snow, known as Evaporative Snow, and range of snow machines, which sell for $300 to $5,000 each.[1] Subsidiary companies of Global Special Effects include Flogos, whose machines produce floating shapes constructed from helium-filled soap bubbles.[7] Flogos has been contracted to produce custom cloud logos for major companies and organizations all over the world.[8] Another operating company, Foam Masters, manufactures foam machines for use at parties and auditoriums.[9]

## See also

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* Foam balloon

## References

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1. ^ a b c "Inventor of snowmaking machines full of ideas". USA Today. Associated Press. 3 November 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-14.[permanent dead link]
2. ^ Nakashima, Ryan (14 July 2007). "Vegas spa hopes cold therapy is hot". The Globe and Mail. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
3. ^ Thornton, William (2021-09-22). "Federal agents raid north Alabama special effects business". al. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
4. ^ Kroschel, Matt (2021-09-24). "Shoals business owner faces federal money laundering charges". WAAY 31 News. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
5. ^ "Northern District of Alabama | Three Plead Guilty in Conspiracy Scheme Involving Bribery of Government Contracting Officer | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
6. ^ "Northern District of Alabama | Three Individuals Sentenced in Conspiracy Involving Bribery of Government Contracting Officer | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
7. ^ Thompson, Andrea (7 May 2008). "Company Makes Soap-Bubble Ads That Float in Air". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
8. ^ Cockcroft, Lucy (12 June 2008). "'Flogos', the corporate icons in the sky". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
9. ^ "Foam Masters: About us". Foam Masters. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-14.

## External links

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* Official website