Self Starting Fireplace
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3041
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 5:56am
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Topic: Self Starting Fireplace
Posted By: Sweeney
Subject: Self Starting Fireplace
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 11:48am
| Need your help gang. We are in need of a self starting fireplace. Yes- with real flames igniting. Any suggestions on how to pull this special effect off would be greatly appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 2:05pm
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Are you certain it has to be real flames? The big issue won't be getting the fireplace to start on cue, it will be venting the smoke & ash out of your theater so as to not asphyxiate your cast, crew & audience while setting off the fire alarms.
------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 2:14pm
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To say nothing of having a qualified pyrotechnician, licensed, insured and clearance from the local fire marshall for using REAL FIRE onstage in a closed public facility. Hope your insurance premiums are paid up and nothing happens as Topper said. NOT a smart move to try this even. Just not a wise idea.
TonyDi
------------- "Almost famous" |
Posted By: Sweeney
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 2:27pm
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Well I'm open for suggestions. We've done other pyro effects with no issues with our fire M. (example- torches) |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 10:04pm
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Wow, living a little dangerously with open flames on stage. Rules in many states have changed since the dance club burned down after that pyrotechnic fire a few years back. I would check with local and state loaning laws about the use of any pyro (candles included).
That being said, there are many products out there that can simulate fire in a fireplace. If you could give us a little more information on what you need, maybe what play what needs to happen for the "fire" effect ect.
The best one I have found is similar to those fire cauldrens that are out during halloween. They plug in and can be can be adapted to be controlled by your light board.
If I find a website, I'll try to post it. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/14/08 at 1:28am
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One suggestion - DON"T!
However a simulated fireplace is safer.
Here are a couple of things you could look at;-
Flamejett;-
http://www.thomann.de/gb/safex_flamejettt_flame_projector.htm - http://www.thomann.de/gb/safex_flamejettt_flame_projector.htm
Flame effects;- http://www.bste.co.uk/catalogue/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=12 - http://www.bste.co.uk/catalogue/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=12 I doubt this is what you want or need.
It is simple enough to grab a 'Neon' starter & place it series with incandescent globes for the effect. {[in the active or neutal side &/or both circuit cables] however get a qualified electricain to to do it}
Also it will operate thru your dimmers & can be brought up from a small fire to a brighter one, with random flickering, under coals or other simulated fires. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Sweeney
Date Posted: 3/14/08 at 11:26am
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The play we are doing is I HATE HAMLET.. The director would like the fireplace to ignite during the seance. Just that moment, and then die out.
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 3/14/08 at 11:37am
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We have done them with a barbeque element in the fireplace with a gas line and ignitor. But I would suggest you go to the local fireplace supply house (most places have one or a big box home improvment) and beg borrow, steal or buy one of those new fake fireplaces... they dont need venting, its real flame and its controlable by a remote...
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/14/08 at 8:50pm
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Great idea Marty!
I have seen these on the 'box', but never ventured to investigate, as we don't have a fireplace at home.
I believe the principle is simple enough & works automaticly.
As you suggested fronting up the manufacture &/or suppliers, would be worth while.
it is amazing what you can get for a few comps & free advertising!
Now I will have to go & check these fieplace systems out!  ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Sweeney
Date Posted: 3/15/08 at 3:59pm
| Really like your idea Marty. and Joe, great links. We'll be checking those out as well. |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 3/16/08 at 9:58pm
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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. |
Posted By: Sweeney
Date 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. |
Posted By: brendan
Date 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. |
Posted By: Sweeney
Date Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:06am
| Now that's kewl. Thank you. |
Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 3/31/08 at 1:49pm
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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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