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Photographer flash as in Half a Sixpence


RichardC

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old fashioned brown parcel tape - the stuff you have to lick - a piece of thin wire - one strand of mic cable braid, for instance. Half of a standard theatrical flash contents. cut a strip of the tape about an inch long, and cut the strand of wire just a bit longer. 'Twiddle' the ends, and make a blob of solder on the little clump of cable. Wet the edge of the paper, leaving the wire across the middle. Cover the wire with the flash powder, and then fold the paper over, trapping the powder. Araldite a couple of small croc clips into the flash housing - I used one of those small disposable silver plates they use for desert at parties. Two wires to a 9v battery with a button on the back of the flash handle (bit of old broomstick!

 

The paper does burn, and will land on the floor, but stays pretty intact, and as it's small, it goes out quickly. Nobody was near to the thing I made, so I left the front open. I guess I could have made some sort of shield, but it didn't seem to need it. More puff of smoke than a flash, but the noise is good too. It was pretty reliable, I think failing just once in 14 shows/rehearsals.

 

I guess we shouldn't be doing this nowadays really - but I'd do it again.

 

I suppose you could also buy some magicians flash paper and hide a cheap lighter in the housing and use that to fire the flash paper?

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I used to have a reel of lead wire that was used across the mains to fire anything.

It's easier and probably cheaper, and certainly easier to insure if you use the premade professional effect pot these days.

 

Remember that pyros make smoke, you need to sort out the smoke and the alarm system.

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