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| Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup | |
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup |
 Topic: Fireworks/Firecrackers( Topic Closed) |
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chel
Celebrity 
Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106 |
 Topic: Fireworks/FirecrackersPosted: 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)
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chel
www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
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pdavis69
Celebrity
Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437 |
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.
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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse |
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chel
Celebrity
Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106 |
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.
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chel
www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
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pdavis69
Celebrity
Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437 |
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?
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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse |
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chel
Celebrity
Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106 |
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? |
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chel
www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
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JoeMc
Celebrity
Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832 |
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. |
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[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
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TimW
Star 
Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83 |
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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mfrank
Walk-On 
Joined: 5/04/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
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.
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M Frank
Northview PAC Director |
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chel
Celebrity
Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106 |
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.
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chel
www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
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doublezero420
Star
Joined: 4/13/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 50 |
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.
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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 |
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