Fireworks/Firecrackers
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3143
Printed Date: 11/04/25 at 8:23am
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Topic: Fireworks/Firecrackers
Posted By: chel
Subject: Fireworks/Firecrackers
Date Posted: 4/30/08 at 3:12pm
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We're performing "You Can't Take It With You", which calls for some firecrackers and fireworks both on and offstage. Obviously, sound effects are not an issue for offstage. But at one point the actor throws a match into a jar and the firecracker goes off.
Any real flare we would have to have a fire fighter on scene with an extinguisher, permission from the fire marshall, etc. I doubt we're going to get permission for this.
So how do I make a stage firecracker? Something that lights up and makes a popping sound. Are there practical joke ones out there that aren't a real flame? I'm not an electronics expert, but I'll give anything a shot. (no pun intended) ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Replies:
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 1:01pm
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We simpley tapes a string of firecrackers to the inside of a cast iron pot and lit them. No fire marshall involved. As far as having a fire extinguisher nearby, you ought to have that anyway even if you aren't working with fire. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 4:08pm
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Really? You were allowed to do firecrackers? Just to have a birthday cake with a lit candle we had to have a firefighter there by law/code whatever they call it. Maybe there is more wriggle room than I thought. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 5:53pm
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I'm not sure if we were allowed but we did it. We have also used flash pots, flash paper and lit cigarettes. Never have we asked the fire department for assistance. Does the fire marshall pay that much attention to what you do? ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 9:21pm
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The fire dept is next door. lol We walk a straight line for several reasons. But what are my other options? What else is out there that can be used to be a firecracker even if that wasn't what it was designed for? ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/02/08 at 1:19am
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As suggested a string of chineese fire crackers in a pot or even an electrical effects 'Squid' would work. If you have to have too attach a lid to snuff it out.------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 11:45pm
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Check out some novelty poppers that you throw on the ground.
Just like putting firecrackers in a can, place a group of these in a small can and drop a weight on them for your effect.
See if the fire deptartment will allow these. They are not considered a firework but a novelty item.
As an afterthought, how about small confetti (champaigne) poppers for your sound?
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Posted By: mfrank
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 7:31am
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There is a canadian manufacturer called "LeMaitre" They make sealed loads for special effects. Anything from smoke pots to confetti cannons to volcano effects. Very safe and worth the cost. Take a look at them. Most Fire Marshalls will be very comfortable with the design. Safety is their selling point.
------------- M Frank Northview PAC Director |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 5/06/08 at 6:13pm
What is an electrial effects "Squid"?
The chinese firecrackers are out, but I think snap caps will work.
Thank you for all the ideas, we (other prop mistress and I) really appreciate them.  ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: doublezero420
Date Posted: 5/06/08 at 10:44pm
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Have you asked the fire marshall for permission? If you haven't, why not? If they say you can, then you won't need to worry about figuring out how to do a fake one.
The worst that can happen is they say no and you're back here. ------------- aaron “One of my chief regrets during my years in the theater is that I could not sit in the audience and watch me” -John Barrymore |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 5/07/08 at 9:58am
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Thank you for the follow up aaron. They said no.
I'm experimenting with snap caps today.
For explosions...we worked it out for offstage...what do you think of a smoke machine, strobe light or something similar, maybe christmas lights??? Haven't worked out the sound yet...we have someone (not me) doing that. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/07/08 at 10:41am
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For a lighting effect, just use the old fluro starter in series with either the active Or neutral circuit. to feed one or two incandescent globes. Rigging it to plugged into the power supply. This will give a completely random fire flicker effect, this can be placed in a DMX patch circuit. To bring up the light as the fire increases. Very simple & you could make up with a junction box & mounting the globes on top, with a male plug on a pig tail as the power feed. Even throw a bit of mixed colour gel to give the fire effect. Any local Sparky or techie could produce this, so long as he competent & is qualified & or Licenced. Very simple & effective!
You could incorporate a contactor to fire the pyro sqid as well! ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 5/07/08 at 11:38am
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Thank you, I'll ask our resident lighting guru. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: ZFix1
Date Posted: 5/12/08 at 11:26am
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Because of Rhode Islands fiasco it is real hard to even light a match on stage without a pyrotech on hand. I would suggest sound effects with a speaker hidden on stage and battery operated lights or flash bulbs in the jar. This can be rigged to go off remotely by cannabalizing a radio controled car. I have done this many times. Feel free to E me if you need help. ------------- If you can dream it, I can make it happen |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 7/07/08 at 10:40pm
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Thanks so much for everyone's ideas. It did look good in the end, though I was not satisfied (I never am). The audience liked the whole show, including the fireworks and so, I am therefore content.
I like the radio controlled car idea...I hope I get to try something like that out one day. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 7/08/08 at 7:29am
I believe he's referring to a SQUIB - which is a highly volatile and explosive effect HOWEVER you have to have a pyro license to even buy them. They are one of the more highly sought after - though highly controlled items out there. They are a small explosive device (think bullet hits in movies) but are dangerous as heck in the wrong hands. Likely you cannot get them, cannot buy them and would certainly have to have a qualified pyro to set them up. Actually it would blow a glass jar to bits - they're that powerful. You can get them in different grades some less explosive some more, but YOU can't buy them except from someone who is concerned only about making money and not your safety. I think that's what he was referring to with the squid statement - it's SQUIB and dangerous in the wrong hands. I've used them and am always VERY scared when I do - static electricity can set them off in your hand and then you're in big trouble.
They were obtained for me by a friend of mine who is a licensed pyro, he was there and helped set them up, but I triggered the explosive - complete with sparks flying everywhere (sparkle powder). SO USE some other means to accomplish your task. Safer, legal and will work just as well.
TonyDi
DUH!!! ACADEMIC NOW - but for FUTURE reference this is the case. Glad whatever you did worked out for you. See - trouble with responding to old outdated posts? Sheesh!! Anyway, SQUIB - dangerous. Alternatives - ANYthing - safer. ------------- "Almost famous" |