Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: smoke

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GoldCanyonLady
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Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 172

Topic: smoke
Posted: 1/19/07 at 9:52am

We need to have a basin of burning papers to bring on stage in The Curious Savage. We don't really want to have a fire so how do we simulate that? I have searched for canned smoke and it looks like that is a viable product which is used to test smoke detectors, but does it work in theater too?
Barb

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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Linda S
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Joined: 4/16/05
Location: United States
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Posted: 1/19/07 at 10:52am

Hi Barb,

Have you thought of using dry ice? It would be inexpensive and easily managed.

Linda

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TimW
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Joined: 8/10/06
Location: United States
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Posts: 83

Posted: 1/20/07 at 12:04am

I hav used smoke cookies before and they work well. They are about 3" dia X 3/4" thick. You can break them up to whatever size you want. They burn like an incence cone, just faster and more smoke.

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GoldCanyonLady
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Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 172

Posted: 1/20/07 at 12:30am

But it would have to be in a basin of burnt papers. What would happen to the paper? Maybe it would work. I will try it. Thanks. Barb

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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GoldCanyonLady
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Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 172

Posted: 1/20/07 at 10:29am

Where do you get the smoke cookies? I like that idea better than the dry ice.

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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TimW
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Joined: 8/10/06
Location: United States
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Posts: 83

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:08am

I get most of my supplies from TheatreFx. I looked at their site but didn't see them. It has been about 4 years since I have used it. You could also use smoke powder, It also lights with a match/lighter. Hoping that someone has working knowledge of pyrotechnics I suggest the following (you don't want to create a real fire). Build a secure device( I use a metal tray) to hold the smoke in. If you have concerns about the 'basin of trash' being dropped, address that now! Have a SECOND person light the powder for safety! Once it burns out, you will have a little ash.

Here is their site. Hope this will give you a start.

http://www.theatrefx.com

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MikeO
Lead
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Joined: 9/15/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 35

Posted: 1/21/07 at 8:31pm

Barb,

Many smoke devices can be obtained from magic stores. I would try there.

I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!!

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GoldCanyonLady
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Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 172

Posted: 1/22/07 at 10:19am

Thanks everyone, I think I will try dry ice first because it is the easiest to get. I will let you all know how it works.

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Topic: smoke Posted: 1/19/07 at 9:52am
	We need to have a basin of burning papers to bring on stage in The Curious Savage. We don't really want to have a fire so how do we simulate that? I have searched for canned smoke and it looks like that is a viable product which is used to test smoke detectors, but does it work in theater too? Barb
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 1/19/07 at 10:52am
	Hi Barb, Have you thought of using dry ice? It would be inexpensive and easily managed. Linda
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 1/20/07 at 12:04am
	I hav used smoke cookies before and they work well. They are about 3" dia X 3/4" thick. You can break them up to whatever size you want. They burn like an incence cone, just faster and more smoke.
	IP Logged

GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Posted: 1/20/07 at 12:30am
	But it would have to be in a basin of burnt papers. What would happen to the paper? Maybe it would work. I will try it. Thanks. Barb
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
	IP Logged

GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Posted: 1/20/07 at 10:29am
	Where do you get the smoke cookies? I like that idea better than the dry ice.
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:08am
	I get most of my supplies from TheatreFx. I looked at their site but didn't see them. It has been about 4 years since I have used it. You could also use smoke powder, It also lights with a match/lighter. Hoping that someone has working knowledge of pyrotechnics I suggest the following (you don't want to create a real fire). Build a secure device( I use a metal tray) to hold the smoke in. If you have concerns about the 'basin of trash' being dropped, address that now! Have a SECOND person light the powder for safety! Once it burns out, you will have a little ash. Here is their site. Hope this will give you a start. http://www.theatrefx.com
	IP Logged

MikeO Lead Joined: 9/15/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 35	Posted: 1/21/07 at 8:31pm
	Barb, Many smoke devices can be obtained from magic stores. I would try there.
	I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!!
	IP Logged

GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Posted: 1/22/07 at 10:19am
	Thanks everyone, I think I will try dry ice first because it is the easiest to get. I will let you all know how it works.
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
	IP Logged

Topic: smoke( Topic Closed)