Heat resistant hand gel

[rob_cheese]

In our next production, A Man for All Seasons, one of the characters has his hand held in a candle flame. We're currently trying to devise some means of creating this effect safely.

 

Obviously the front runner has to be using a battery candle, but these aren't so convincing in a small venue like ours when the audience are so close. (Unless anyone can recommend one that is?!)

 

I have some vague recollection of reading once about some kind of gel that you could rub on the skin to give a bit of protection in case you got too close to a real flame. My google skills have let me down so far - does such a thing exist, and if so, what is it called?

 

Thanks

 

Rob

[Ynot]

Well, barring the usual caveats of taking full care of the talent, a quick Google brings up Zel Gel...

[ramdram]

http://www.zeller-int.com/categories/fireret/zeljel.htm

[Ynot]

http://www.zeller-in...eret/zeljel.htm

<coughs and points upward...>

[ramdram]

Beat me by seconds...damn!

[ImagineerTom]

If you're worried about an audience "spotting" that the candle is fake then they are definitely going to spot the performer having big blobs of Zel-Gel on their hand. It's a thick gloopy gel that's slightly shiny, it's not something you rub in and let be absorbed.

 

Also the golden rule in ALL fire situations is NEVER put anything human above a flame as that is where 99% of the heat goes, most fire stunts are carefully planned so that the human is under or behind the flame not directly above it so that they are in the "coolest" space.

 

So either use a fake candle with a real hand or use a real candle and real hand but use a trick of perspective to make it look like his hand is above the flame when actually it's behind / in front.

 

 

 

 

.....or you could just use acting and pretend!

 

 

[Sam Jelfs]

firetoys do a pair of fireproof gloves for juggling with fire, so combined with some fireproof paint you might be able to get something to work... http://www.firetoys.co.uk/juggling/mr-babache-fire-proof-gloves.html

 

But, if your venue is small enough they will spot a fake candle, they will spot a glove... could you not use a fake church candle? I've seen some of those be very realistic...

[ramdram]

IT's suggestion is probably best, not to mention safest and cheapest, goodness only knows why anyone should have suggested Zel Gel...

 

I would presume the scene will be quite dim what with the candle effect. The candle will probably appear to be dazzling on the darkened set so just practice with your actor(s) to place his hand just above and behind the flame. Nobody in the audience is going to notice and they are hardly going to demand their money back if the actor was "only acting".

 

You will have to do an RA and doubtless have a bucket of ice cold water handy into which the actor could thrust his charred and blackened hand if it went wrong...

[rob_cheese]

Thanks all, that's useful. I think our basic plan was to use the perspective trick, but have the gel as a precaution.

 

Rob

[Jivemaster]

Cab-o-Sil is an ultra lightweight powder that insulates very well in ultra thin layers. There are party tricks involving blowtorch and paper that fails to light, may be useful your tests your risk assessment your choice. Cooperman435 is one website that sells it. Don't buy much, a 10kilo bag is five feet tall!