Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Self Starting Fireplace

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biggertigger
Celebrity

Joined: 4/16/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 188

Posted: 3/16/08 at 9:58pm

Having done I Hate Hamlet before we faced this problem. Since we were on tour with the show we used special lighting design to creat the "glow" of the fireplace. Luckily our set was designed that placed the couch infront of the fireplace. The mantel and a pair of epees were visible above the couch. The glow was a neat effect for that scene without using real fire.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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Sweeney
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 3/13/08
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Posted: 3/17/08 at 9:06am

Hmmm, I like that. I could use that as plan B, if we can't safely do a real flame.

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brendan
Walk-On
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Joined: 4/25/07
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Posts: 0

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:10am

For our production of Romeo and Juliet it was mostly ritual based, and featured a fire pit in the center. we were very successful with a box fan, painted black laying down, that had white silk triangles tied to it. we attached small desk type lamps, painted black, with some bold reds and ambers over them, on the corners of the fan. all plugged into one hotfoot they alll turn on at the same time, on cue.

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Sweeney
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Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:06am

Now that's kewl. Thank you.

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

Posted: 3/31/08 at 1:49pm

OK. I guess I will play the devils advicate.

I have not had to ignite a real fire on cue yet, but I have had a real fire in a fireplace that was lit by a cast member. What I did was use a replacement wick for those outdoor patio torches. I placed the wick on foil and keep it of the floor. We then applied lighter fluid on the wick only. Do not put any extra on the foil. The more fluid, the longer fire. The fumes disipated before the fuel was lit and the fire burned out naturally.

Now if you have someone that does pyro SAFELY, maybe use an electric match to ingnite it.

Remember that an effect isn't worth it if someone gets hurt!

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Topic: Self Starting Fireplace( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
biggertigger Celebrity Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188	Posted: 3/16/08 at 9:58pm
	Having done I Hate Hamlet before we faced this problem. Since we were on tour with the show we used special lighting design to creat the "glow" of the fireplace. Luckily our set was designed that placed the couch infront of the fireplace. The mantel and a pair of epees were visible above the couch. The glow was a neat effect for that scene without using real fire.
	The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
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Sweeney Walk-On Joined: 3/13/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/17/08 at 9:06am
	Hmmm, I like that. I could use that as plan B, if we can't safely do a real flame.
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brendan Walk-On Joined: 4/25/07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:10am
	For our production of Romeo and Juliet it was mostly ritual based, and featured a fire pit in the center. we were very successful with a box fan, painted black laying down, that had white silk triangles tied to it. we attached small desk type lamps, painted black, with some bold reds and ambers over them, on the corners of the fan. all plugged into one hotfoot they alll turn on at the same time, on cue.
	IP Logged

Sweeney Walk-On Joined: 3/13/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:06am
	Now that's kewl. Thank you.
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 3/31/08 at 1:49pm
	OK. I guess I will play the devils advicate. I have not had to ignite a real fire on cue yet, but I have had a real fire in a fireplace that was lit by a cast member. What I did was use a replacement wick for those outdoor patio torches. I placed the wick on foil and keep it of the floor. We then applied lighter fluid on the wick only. Do not put any extra on the foil. The more fluid, the longer fire. The fumes disipated before the fuel was lit and the fire burned out naturally. Now if you have someone that does pyro SAFELY, maybe use an electric match to ingnite it. Remember that an effect isn't worth it if someone gets hurt!
	IP Logged