Young Frankenstein fire effect

[Kungfucornelius]

Hello all. I am in a community theatre production of Young Frankenstein The Musical, and there is a scene in the show whether a blind beggar sets the monster's thumb on fire. I'm playing the monster, and I'm wondering if there's a safe way to do this and make it look convincing. I've been in almost 40 productions but I've never worked with fire before. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[cedd]

I think you're probably more looking towards the world of magic and illusions than backstage (though a few of us do combine the two in our work).

 

There are certainly commercially available products that allow you to do flames from your hand, and particularly a flash from a hand (some using a fake thumb tip to disguise the apparatus). Perhaps a word with your local magic group might put you in touch with somebody local who could show you the trick, or a search of online magic stores.

 

Remember as well though that it's normally a stage management/props/special effects responsibility to sort out such an effect and to properly oversee its' safe use after appropriate risk assessments and training have been done. If I was special effects supervisor on such a show then I'd be expecting for me to come up with the means to carry out the trick and then be teaching you how to do it safely.

 

 

 

[Jivemaster]

I've no doubt there are materials and methods available in the USA, and the skilled and permit holding people to actually do the stunt.

 

You may need to find a proximate pyro licensed operator for your town/county/state or get professional advice (from ATF in your area??) about the regulation of the materials and procedures for the illusion.

 

Few members of this forum have specific USA regulatory experience especially as it varies by town/county and State.

[empyfree]

Fake thumb with a cigarette lighter built into it?