Explosion on stage

[Jimi]

Okay, the title of the post makes it sound rather more dramatic than it need be. I've recently taken on the "exciting task" of directing our latest ameteur show. Scripts arivied, all very funny, nothing too taxing ... until I looked at the props list and things that need to be flown in and out and almost cried (but that's quite another matter). The area which was of most concern to me was that at the end of act one there is supposed to be an explosion. To give you a better idea of the exact nature of the explosion, one of the cast pick up a wire that is running across the stage and yank it and this causes some sort of dramatic explosion, that is probably completely unlike any explosion you would ever get from pulling on an electircal wire. The stage is relativly small (6 metres x 3 metres) and there are three members of the cast on the stage at the time.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to make a dramatic "explosion" on the stage? I've resisted the urges to run out and by a box full of pyros, I'm really not keen on blowing the cast up during rehearsals!

 

Thank you in advance

 

//Jimi

[dunk_1984]

For the dramaticness I'm sure other people may have better ideas, but compressed air.... blowing something up/out.... combined with sound fx.

 

EDIT TO ADD: I say this as obviously there is no actual explosion or combustion. However it obviously is still dangerous.

[Ynot]

OK.

First things first.

 

Don't take scripted technical cues at face value - in the vast majority of cases they're there to give you guidance on what the playwright originally saw, BUT it's not exclusively essential to follow ANY of them to the letter.

You're worrying about things being flown in/out, but if you have limited facilities for this, you simply cannot achieve the original conceptual design, so you have to compromise.

 

The same goes for such things as the point of your OP.

 

YOU as the director need to read and digest the script, look at the available set/scenery options feasible within your own space, and also the capability/experience of your set-building crew and stage team (likely to be the same group).

 

Only you can decide what you need to use for this explosion within the context of the play, and that's down to how you interpret the effect and how you want the audience to see it.

 

There are various pyrotechnic effects you can use if that fits the bill, and as Dunk says you could use compressed air to blow debris across the stage, or even both. There are some manual options, depending where the source of the explosion is set - eg if it were up above, then releasing a simple flap with debris from above the border line could suffice.

 

If you're still struggling, give us more on the exact nature of the explosion and how it fits into the script.

TD

[Jimi]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I've had to make some compromises throughout the play and in most cases this has been fine. I've managed to whittle it down to what effects are integral to the plot and which are there simply "icing".

 

The explosion at the end of act one is meant to be the final result of all the chaos that has gone before. It's purpose, in my opinion, is to give the audience a short, sharp shock and bring about a halt to all the comotion that has been happening in the previous scene (people running on and off stage, getting tangled in wires etc.)

 

There doesn't need to be any fall out, or even smoke really (A BO imediately proceeds the event). The most importent factor is the loud bang and possibly flash of some sort (As in a comedy electrical fault). It would be easy enough to use a sound effect through the PA, but I'm thinking that would sound a bit naff and not localised enough to be effective.

 

p.s. If it's any use to anyone, the play in question is one of the Farndale series (love them or loathe them)

[boatman]

Here's a technique that I've used on and off for the best part of thirty years.

 

Build a box, approximately 12 inches cube, out of chipboard or MDF. Make the lid so that it can be very firmly secured with screws. Cut a hole in one side of the box to fit a short length of 68mm drain pipe and fit a short length of 15mm copper pipe into the centre of the lid. Finally grind a sharp point on to the end of a piece of 12mm bar or a bolt with its head removed.

 

Before the show, inflate a balloon, tie the neck, push it into the box and screw down the lid. Spread a liberal quantity of talcum powder into the drain pipe (do not use flour or cornflour as they can be explosive). On cue, drop the sharpened metal slug down the copper pipe and the balloon will burst making a very loud report and sending a cloud of dust halfway across the stage.

 

For added effect you can trigger an old fashioned camera flash gun as the slug drops down the tube.

 

Who needs pyro.

[IRW]

Spread a liberal quantity of talcum powder into the drain pipe (do not use flour or cornflour as they can be explosive). On cue, drop the sharpened metal slug down the copper pipe and the balloon will burst making a very loud report and sending a cloud of dust halfway across the stage.

 

Err...How many other people are thinking "not in my theatre mate!"

 

Aside from the venue point of view- do you really want to be cleaning talcum powder off your set and costumes every night?!

[MFX1]

There doesn't need to be any fall out, or even smoke really (A BO immediately proceeds the event). The most important factor is the loud bang and possibly flash of some sort (As in a comedy electrical fault). It would be easy enough to use a sound effect through the PA, but I'm thinking that would sound a bit naff and not localised enough to be effective

 

Well from a pyro point of view (you did say you didn't want "naff" ;) ), the bang from a medium (large if the venue can take it) stage maroon in a bomb tank off stage, synced with a flash from a large strobe or (keeping it pyro ) an airburst. This could be done safely even on a small stage. Recommended to do a test without the cast on stage but with them viewing to see what to expect.

[mark_s]

Have you completely ruled out pyro? A theatrical flash would probably be quite effective, but if you've ruled out the use of pyro it's obviously not a particularly good suggestion!

 

If that isn't an option I rather like boatman's suggestion (although it might be wise to forego the talcum powder).

[Jimi]

Have you completely ruled out pyro? A theatrical flash would probably be quite effective, but if you've ruled out the use of pyro it's obviously not a particularly good suggestion!

 

If that isn't an option I rather like boatman's suggestion (although it might be wise to forego the talcum powder).

 

No, I haven't ruled out pyro completely. I'd have to check out the rules regarding the use of them in the venue though. Aparently last time someone used them in the same venue (over 10 years ago from what I can gather) they set almost set fire to the curtain ... so they may well have been banned from the premises since. The thing with pyro is, I'm not adverse to jumping through all the hoops to use them for a single effect, but I'm also aware how high those hoops may be and also that it may be a no go from the outset.

[Guest joewhite903]

This here is exactly what you want Linky Seen it a while back write ups look really interesting.

Joe

[Richiestix]

Hi,

I would use a CO2 Extuinguisher with a small amount of paper and the like inserted in the nozzle. Just stand in the wings and pull the trigger for a short burst.

[Jivemaster]

If you go the pyro route then the robotic is a purpose designed "electrical fault simulator" the microdet is a bang, and the maroons are really large bangs. Maroons should only be fired in a bomb tank which is a 30kilo (or so) steel cage to let the sound out but keep the small fragments IN.

 

Non pyro solutions can be just as appropriate.

[Harvey_51]

Hi,

 

Link to Le maitre Robotics SFX http://www.lemaitre.co.uk/productInformati...UKeyProduct=112

 

hth

 

Jordan

[DavidLee]

Maroons should only be fired in a bomb tank which is a 30kilo (or so) steel cage to let the sound out but keep the small fragments IN.

LeMaitre also sell cardboard non-fragmenting maroons, which do not produce any shrapnel. Whilst not specified as requiring a bomb tank you should still use some form of confinement though, since the cork stoppers in the ends of the cardboard tube are expelled with great velocity and could cause an injury if one scores a direct hit.

 

The cardboard devices are not as loud as the plastic shelled versions but still plenty loud enough for a reasonable sized venue.

 

David

[djw1981]

Depending on what effect you are after, and what you have on stage I have seen it done with a 'fall of polystyrene 'bricks'' and stuff from above, and any on stage stuff falling over (preplanned etc, and teh lights flickering, and an offstage 'bang.

 

In our case it was a 'bomb' being dropped onto the building, teh scene was dset in teh basement, and the idea was of the ceiling falling in and the basement being 'damaged / furniturre knocked over'.