On Stage effects

Having just read some intersting comments about theatre in Gosnells I hope that I can get some help from you all.
Acorn Theatre "The Smallest Theatre in the World"(Guiness Book of Records) is getting set to perform Roald Dahl's "The Witches". I would like some technical advice about on stage explosions. They are being used to cover human sized actors turning into mice (actual size).
We have thought about flashes of light and coloured smoke. Any other ideas?
Thanks
Wes

I have done many productions of "The scottish play" as an effects designer and although I have tried many effects I still think that the most effective is a small stage flash pyro. Use a white pyro (coulored ones arn's at effective) and ensure that it is placed directly in the audience's line of sight to the actors. (or at least as close as is practicable). The flash produced doesn't need to be enough to cover the actors completely but it is important that the audience is made to look directly as the source of the flash as it goes off......putting the flash right in front of any action that may be happening on stage just before the effect is good.....if not generating a sound effect from a speaker right next to the pyro (or directly in the line of sight of the pyro) will usually make the audience look in the right direction just as it goes off.
The actors need to leave by a quick exit a split second AFTER the flash while the audience have lost the use of their retiners but ensure they do not make any movement before it, or the effect will be lost.
It does take good timing and a bit of choreography with the mice etc but it is a very good effect and works at least in part because the audience will not expect it to happen........so don't be too worried if you look at it yourself and can tell exactly how it was achieved.....remember the audience have not been at all the rehearsals and have not actually seen design of the effect.

hope it all goes Well..

Matt

The pyro is the ideal method, BUT you need a licence to use pyros on a stage due to the hazards and there is a minimum clearance, I think it is 5 metres, from the effect to the nearest cast member and also the audience. There are several companies and a lot of licensed operators in Perth. Check out ProDesign Lighting web page as they run licensing courses.
If you don't have the space to use pyros distract the audience with a bright focus on the witch on one side of the stage e.g. bright green front fill with yellow or red backlight, while your transformation takes place on the other side of the stage using fog or smoke as a blanket with lights focussed not to cut through the smoke screen.
Use the pyro if you can as it is more effective.

Yeah sorry, I should have mentioned that a pyro does require a licence. I am based in NZ and in requires licences here too as well as minimum safe distances.......I am a licenced pyrotech here but I really can't comment on the suitability of the theatre in this case as I have not seen it.

I hope the show goes well anyway and yeah definately...Heed the warning about safe pyro practice....those things can hurt :)

Take care

Matt

Don is right you NEED a licence to use and buy pyrotechnics in Perth.
A "TPOP" (Theatrical Pyrotechnics Operators Permit) is the lowest permit you can use. In adition to Prodesign there is also Stage & Studio design (that is where I got mine from).

There are saftey requirements for distance from actors, audence and set. These are a MUST.

Failing pyrotechnics you could allways attach a smoke machine to some aircomditioning ducting, Just an Idea

Michael

If you are loking for a local pyro-technician contact Ron Birch, phone:9341-4538 or e-mail rbirch@vtown.com.au.

I agree Ron is probably the best pyro tech local theater has come across in a while. Give him a go. He should prove useful and also helpful. I give him the gong for best pyro in explosive lady and pot belly for 2000 & 2001 - OMT.

Hi, We have had good results using a small concusion charge. You can use it at the same time the flash powder is detonated. You need schedule 40 steel pipe about a foot long with an internal dia. of about an inch.
A small charge(2 capfulls) in this will produce a good explosive bang.
A couple of words to the wise: leave both ends of the pipe
open, and make sure there is your red zone safety clearance
either end of the pipe. Run this past your pyro tech.
Break a leg, Leighton

I have been out of theatre for a number of years. There now appears to be some kind of a licence to employ on-stage pyrotechnic effects. Could someone please tell me where I can find details of this requirement as I wish to Direct a pantomime late this year. No one in our group know of this requirement.
Thanks, Jim, from the snow country.

We have always found the only really effective way to do this transformation is to drug the audience.

A little LSD in the pre-show coffee normally does the trick. I am sure that there are better "designer" drugs round that can do a better job now a days, but you really can't beat the old faithful when you really need a good mass hallucination.

Alternately you may wish to contact the American embassy to find out what George Bush is using on the American public !!! They think he is a statesman !


If all else fails and I think that in a venue the size of acorns it will... I still like the old "dark scene" before the good old fashioned "audience blinder" with a simultanous burst balloon in a trash can from the back of the auditorium. You may need a disclaimer for any or all of these approaches.

Ian.

Hi, Apparently each state has regulations governing the use of pyro. I can only speak for Canada on this one which has a
graduated licencing system administered by the explosives
regulatory division of the dept of the environment.
You should make enquiries through your govt. and be aware
that pyro for stage is different from fireworks. All the best in
your endeavours.
Leighton