Many motion pictures have textures and settings where it is raining; Do you wait for a rainy day? Do a dance? Order up a rainy day from your local TV weather girl? Welcome to the world of special effects and here's an easy idea, and by the way, it's exactly what the pros do.

To make simulated rain look realistic, devices called rainbars are used. Build your own, this is how: Set up some long PVC plastic tubes. Make tiny holes in the sides and attach to a water hose. Make sure your seals are watertight. Once you're ready, place your rigging high on the top of the setting. Usually, since it rains outside, you'll place your rigging high in a treetop or over a windowpane or honestly as high as you can.

Another rigging idea is to take a fire sprinkler head (the same sprinkler used for inside fire sprinkler systems) and attach and fit it to a PVC pipe and hose. Pump the water see the rain. The more sprinkler heads, the more rain. You'll have to back light the water so that your film or video will see it, and too add to the look, attach a water jar and mix some milk into the system. With these Effects you can make rain possible in any setting even in cities where it only rains once a year.

A spectacular rain scene is in the movie "U-571," which was filmed in and around the Mediterranean island of Malta. The rain towers constructed are thought to be the biggest ones ever used. Some 15,000 gallons of seawater were pumped through the towers - and onto the actors - every minute.

For your own movie, make sure to cover your gear, cameras, lights and all electrical equipment. Remember safety first and it's always a good idea to have a bar of soap handy for all those who need a little refresher.