PROPS: Special Effects

Fire Effects:

   Real flame is dangerous; should be avoided! 

Candles
	Electric preferred
Torches
	Electric possible for ornate torches
"Tin Can" Torch
	Outdoor use only
GAM Torch
	Commercially made, self-extinguishes if dropped.
	OK to use indoors but get permission from Fire Marshal.

"Open" Fires
	Florescent Starter Flicker
		FS-2 starters in series w/ 25-40 w. lamps
	Silk fire
		Uses pure china silk and squirrel cage fan, illuminated from below.

Running Water
	Gravity feed
	Hudson sprayer


ATMOSPHERICS
Snow
 •cradle
	ground polyethylene
	ground styrofoam
 •foamers

Rain
 •spray
 •cradle and glitter
 •twinspins (hazer)
 •gobo chase (hazer)

Fogs, smokes and hazes
 •CO2
 •Liquid nitrogen
 •oil & glycol foggers
 •w/ chiller


PYROTECHNICS (Pyro!)

Danger! Danger!

ANY pyro effect is a (hopefully) Controlled bomb!

EXTREME Caution must be excercised at all times.

ALSO: "Local authority having jurisdiction" MAY require a pyro license!

Safety requires:
	* Proper training
	* Proper equipment
	* Proper proceedures

Proper training: this ain't it.
   This is just an intro!
Proper Equipment: get commercial stuff. Home-made no longer meets code 
unless YOU are already a licensed pyro technician.
	* Flash pot
	* Pryo materials
	* Igniter
	* Control box

Flash pot

Pyro materials
	* Smoke powder
	* Flash powder, 1 part & 2 part
	* Concussion bombs
	* Sparkle powder
	* Flash paper, cotton, string
	* Cannon fuse
	* Gerbs (fountains)
	* Flame projector (lycopodium): PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY!

Igniters
	* Low-amp fuses (avoid using!)
	* Rocket motor igniters ("Solar igniters")
	* Squibs, igniters
	* Electric matches
	* Nicrom igniters
	* Glo-plugs

Controllers
	* Durably made
	* Three point firing system:
		+ Keyed arming switch
		+ Two SPST momentary contact switches


BREAKAWAYS & GAGS

Often props must be broken or break on cue. 
Each is unique, but some examples:
	* Breakaway railing.
	* Broken window pane
		+ sugar glass
		+ acrylic glass &/or pre-broken and spot glued
	* Rat-trap to break plates, by solinoid or pull pin.
	* Greenware pottery.
	* Acrylic bottles & glasses.

"Magic" & other gags
	* Faust sword.
	* Faust lute.
	* Rapunzel spinning wheel.
	* Collapsing flowers, Beauty & the Beast
	* Phantom candles.
	* Phantom mirror
	* Pepper's Ghost

Rat traps and Mouse traps
   Blythe Spirit and Sleuth

STAGE BLOOD:

The commercial option:

Various formulas to try:

EDIBLE:

Chocolate milk & red food color.
-or another-
Four parts chocolate syrup, three parts dark corn syrup, 
add red food coloring until satisfactory.

MB2
Flour base:
1 1\2 to 2 t. plain wht flour
1 cup flour

Mix flour into water (no lumps). Bring to boil, then simmer 1/2 hr. 
Stir frequently. Stir in any surface scum. 
Let cool before adding color.

For 1 c. Blood:

1 oz. Red food coloring
1/8 t. Green food color
Add flour base to make 1 cup.

Slightly slimy, fairly low surface tension. Soaks & spreads well. 
Fairly short shelf life @ room temp (days). Ferments & loses viscosity. 
Temp. stains skin, but seems to wash out of cotton clothes fairly well.


WASHABLE:

White or blue dishwashing liquid or detergent
Red food color
A little blue color

Not quite as realistic, but mostly non-staining:


Bottle clear Karo syrup
Red food color
Blue liquid detergent

Add more red food color for arterial,  blue color for veinal. 
Good stickiness & consistancy, but washable.


DROPPING THINGS:
	* Pull-pin drop
	* Balloon bag
	* Drop cradle
	* Drop drop/ Blue's Clues, spring loaded pins & steel cable
	* Leaf drop, backflap hinge held shut w/ electro-magnet.
	* Pneumatic actuator, 2 glue syringes & length of 1/8" tubing.

Remotely breaking/ throwing objects...
Rat Trap/Mouse Trap device:

SOMETHING'S AFOOT
	* Exploding stairs & breakaway railing
	* Ming vase
	* Shrunken head & poof
	* Falling chandeliers
	* Electrocution
	* Poison phone
	* Hanging spear
	* Explosion
	* Gramaphone