Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: smoke

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smoke

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=3479
Printed Date: 8/02/25 at 1:29am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: smoke

Posted By: stageman 2
Subject: smoke
Date Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:00am

I am looking for a material that will burn or smolder with an adequate/visible smoke, to use on Felix's burned meat when he enters from the kitchen in The Odd Couple. Any suggestions?

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Les Liss
Fine Arts, County of Effingham
info@effinghamface.com
www.effinghamface.com

Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 9/22/08 at 3:26pm

We have used the dry ice and water trick before. A blackened cooking dish with a prop burnt food in the center, fill the bottom of the pan with warm water and drop in chunks of dry ice. Produces a smoldering effect.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: stageman 2
Date Posted: 9/22/08 at 6:07pm

thanks. Dry ice would be perfect but is hard for us to get here. The closest source is too far away to be practical. Anyone else have any suggestions?

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Les Liss
Fine Arts, County of Effingham
info@effinghamface.com
www.effinghamface.com

Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:10pm

Have you considered using incense? Break into tiny pieces, place on a fire-safe surface and light as many as you need to achieve the effect you're after.

Be prepared to have your dialogue drowned out by reflexive coughing. We once used a fake cigarette (no fire, no smoke, no smell) and upon "lighting" it, several audience members began to cough anyway.

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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 9/23/08 at 8:23am

Think outside the box for dry ice suppliers. We have a relationship with a local ice cream shop that will give us what we need. They get things shipped in dry ice. When asking about dry ice availabilty make sure to state why you need it. Kids have a tendency to drop chunks of dry ice in a soda bottle to create dry ice "bombs". If the store knows you are with a theatre they might not be as quick to say no they don't have any.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: stageman 2
Date Posted: 9/23/08 at 8:42am

Thanks for the direction. Definitely worth a couple of calls

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Les Liss
Fine Arts, County of Effingham
info@effinghamface.com
www.effinghamface.com

Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 9/23/08 at 10:31am

Just a thought! When I did a production in the bush, beyond the black stump, requiring dry ice. We contacted the local Hospital & they were happy to supply us, with an ' ESKY' [food & drink insulated container] full of the the stuff. Which lasted a couple of performances each time. Most Hospitals have a quantity of dry ice on hand, for emergencies.

[The show was in 'Casualty' with out it]

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[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}