Exploding Par Can

[sam.henderson]

Hi All,

 

I am looking for a way to achieve the effect of an exploding par can! The Par Can will be an empty shell with nothing in (no lamp etc. just the can/ shell). I just want it to spark a lot and then stop. Someone suggested just putting a robotic inside the par but obviously this goes against all the advice of the data sheet for the pyro re: safe distances etc. so there is no way I will do that.

 

Does anyone have any ideas on how this could be created? And PLEASE can I not have 100 people replying with; your not safe, are you competent??, ask the pros etc. etc :huh: . Just once reply from one poster will be fine if you think something will be unsafe!

 

Sam

[ChrisD]

I believe the robotic effect is designed to be used to simulate an electrical fault. So an effect which cannot be placed in close proximity to the place where the fault is supposed to happen would probably not look very good. Consult lemaitre direct and see what they suggest. Maybe PM their company rep?

[Brian]

Sam, a robotic will work fine. Just do a test firing first so you know which way the fallout is going to go.

 

If you wanted a bit more smoke you could also stick a smoke puff or an aladin smoke in there.

[Pyromark]

Safe distances usually mean to people - not to things!!

 

We don't give safety distances anymore for soooo many reasons - not to mention liability!!!

 

If you want to give your own safety distances, then by all means do so. Fire an effect in controlled conditions and make your own judgements, just remember to note it in you risk assessment.

[sam.henderson]

Thanks all,

 

Makes me feel a lot better/ safer,

 

Sam

[jfitzpat]

FWIW, the pyro effect can be quite small. Many years ago I recall using an old edison base fuse with the window removed and a small amount of gun powder and metallic powder placed inside. Yes, it sounds dangerous by today's standard, but the effect was really quite modest.

 

What made the total effect work on stage was an electrical sound effect and dimming and flickering other circuits. The sound and flickering built tension and conveyed the idea of an electrical problem. This made ending with the modest pop much more startling. The audience jumped, which they didn't do with the bang alone in rehearsals, and the lingering smoke made things seem even more real in the scene that followed.

 

Good Luck,

-jjf

[andy_s]

in our christmas show, we had an exploding washing machine with an actor inside it! Needless to say we did a few dry runs before we put anyone inside. the actor was in effect on the other side of a flame retardant wall: the (prop) washing machine was constructed from 18mm flame retardant MDF, and the small robotic was mounted in a metal backbox which itself sat on an enclosed MDF shelf built into the structure where you would expect to see the soap dispenser. the effect could therefore only go in one direction - upwards and slightly forwards, and we set our exclusion zone for the other performers in the scene accordingly. The Camden Council inspector had that typically sceptical look on her face when we described this, but was perfectly happy after we demonstrated it. The performer survived about 50 performances with no ill effects.

 

with your exploding parcan, the shell itself would be fine - but make sure you control the direction of the effect, maybe by blocking up the vents at the back with blackwrap or other flame-retardant / heatproof material, so you can accurately predict the direction and extent of the fall out, then set your exclusion zones based on a couple or more cautious test firings.

 

I've also in my time made exploding radios etc using flashpowder and fusewire, but there are other more easily controlled ways now.