Theatre Australia

your portal for australian theatre

Smoke?

Wed, 13 Dec 2006, 08:51 am
Na15 posts in thread
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to create smoke in a small theatre - other than a smoke machine? It has to look like a small set piece is 'burning', and smoke is needed. I want to use something small, that will look effective, but is also cheap and easy to find... Or is that asking too much? Thanks!

Thread (15 posts)

NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 08:51 am
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to create smoke in a small theatre - other than a smoke machine? It has to look like a small set piece is 'burning', and smoke is needed. I want to use something small, that will look effective, but is also cheap and easy to find... Or is that asking too much? Thanks!
LabrugWed, 13 Dec 2006, 09:12 am

Slow Pot

I am not sure where you would get the stuff, but you can get slow-burning Smoke Powder that can be used in a flash-pot. Most of these are coloured in some way and take a few seconds before creating any smoke, but the burn for longer than standard flash-pot powder.

Ask around for anyone who supplies Flash-pots and they should also get the other stuff.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 09:25 am

Does this require any

Does this require any knowledge of pyro? I need something that isn't pyro... The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 09:39 am

Anybody used something like

Anybody used something like this? http://www.tapestockonline.com/spefsmsp.html The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
LabrugWed, 13 Dec 2006, 09:57 am

Pro or not

Not sure myself. From what I understand it is a simple matter of lighting them and leaving. They are also refered to Smake Cookies.

I did some searching on Google Groups and found this seems to be the prefered method which is both cheap and easy to use.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

LabrugWed, 13 Dec 2006, 10:01 am

Odd Find

In my hunting around, I found this rather amusing little bit of advice. In answer to a question about making a frypan of cooking look smokey after being removed from an oven;

The most practical is to use a tampon, soaked in hot water, then nuked
in a microwave. Pop this into your meal/stew/hotpot, and it steams for
ages.This is the approach used in advertising and film.

Or there is this little toy - A Smoke Gun

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 10:16 am

Strange.... but won't

Strange.... but won't exactly be appropriate for the end of a 20 min. show, with no access to a microwave. Oh, love the smoke gun. I wonder what the rings look like; hard-edged or soft. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 10:18 am

Ok, thanks. I think this is

Ok, thanks. I think this is going to require more research somehow... The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
LabrugWed, 13 Dec 2006, 10:30 am

Pictures Paint the Tale

There's a fairly substantial list of images on the site also.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 01:22 pm

Ah... serves me right for

Ah... serves me right for not looking properly. Very cool, but not quite right (picky, picky) - it needs to be plumes of smoke, not rings. :) Thanks anyway - I'd love an excuse to buy one of these. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
LogosWed, 13 Dec 2006, 03:13 pm

Who needs an excuse I want

Who needs an excuse I want one NOW. If I don't get one I'll hold my breathe until I turn blue in the face Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au
NaWed, 13 Dec 2006, 03:46 pm

Yeah, buy me one while

Yeah, buy me one while you're at it :evil: The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
Don AllenThu, 14 Dec 2006, 01:44 pm

The easiest way is to use

The easiest way is to use aerosol cans, available in Australia from theatre suppliers and fire alarm testers. You can get tiny smoke machines http://www.looksolutions.com/english/produkte/tinyfogger/index.htm For the smoke to hang around it has to be oil based. If using a from of pyros check for fire regulations and any need for pyro licenses in your state. If you google you will find hand held units for magicians that are very compact i.e. will fit into the palm of your hand.
NaThu, 14 Dec 2006, 02:49 pm

I have a feeling the tiny

I have a feeling the tiny smoke machine will be out of my budget range - but another cool item comes out of the closet! Perhaps I'll go with the aerosols. Thanks for the help 'Walter' (I dub thee Walter, as you don't leave a name) The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne
LabrugThu, 14 Dec 2006, 03:34 pm

In the Name

Don Allen would probably do ;-) :LOL:

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

← Back to Tech Talk