Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
mcmarce
Swing Joined: 1/27/13
#1Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 5:20amDoes anyone know what is used for the stage productions of Hairspray in the jail scene where a "can of hairspray" is used as a blow torch. Looks like some kind of sparkler effect coming from the can. Any info helpful. Thank you.
#2Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 7:00amGo outside with a can of hairspray and a lit match. Spray. Boom there's your effect.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 10:24am
Are you asking out of curiousity or are you mounting a production? I only ask, because if you are doing the show, most local theaters (and likely ALL schools) won't let you light anything afire.
I know I cannot at my school.
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#3Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 10:39am
You can't in many theatres unless there is a trained licensed pryo-technician on hand to over see the fire effect.
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#4Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 11:18amHave the actor hold a prop can, turn upstage, and use a sound effect. It's a split-second moment in the show. Not worth going for the fire permits and related expenses and hassle.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#5Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 11:51am
eta: this might be very obvious, but assjb4ever's suggestion of "Go outside with a can of hairspray and a lit match. Spray. Boom there's your effect." is a really bad idea. Many people have been injured and even killed doing this. There's not only an out of control flame, but sometimes the can explodes, spraying flames and schrapnel.
Other than that, what Capnhook said. In Hairspray it was probably a pyro cartridge, not only expensive but dangerous. You'd need a pyro person and approval of the fire department.
Why is all this so tightly regulated? Many a nightclub fire has started by a band using special effects improperly. For example:
Over 200 people died last night in Brazil when pyrotechnics went awry
Updated On: 1/27/13 at 11:51 AM
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#6Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 12:45pm
It's actually a spark wheel on a motor, built into a fake can. It only shoots sparks and doesn't shoot flames.
But that's not to say its still not a huge fire hazard.
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ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#7Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 12:49pmThat would have been my second guess and makes perfect sense, Diva - and you're right, it still has the huge potential of fire hazard, and would (or ought) involve a pyro pro and fire department inspection and approval.
smurftoo
Swing Joined: 5/9/10
#8Musical Hairspray blowtorch effect
Posted: 1/27/13 at 12:51pmHave Link smother the jailcell bars with bbq sauce and Tracey can eat through the bars!
