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I have a freind that is working with a theatre group - low budget high school theatre - and they are doing the Wizard of Oz. They asked me if I could poke around and help solve a couple of issues they are wanting to work out...mainly because they have seen me use flash paper they thought I may know where, how, and what may be helpful to them.

The are thinking of two scenes, the first being when the witch throws a fireball at someone....and the second is where the witches broom starts on fire in a breif flash.

Now the second one I can imagine by using a sheet or two of flash paper on the backside of the brook bristles....and a lighter secured to the shaft of the brook with some wire. Just above the paper so a one handed flick of the lighter would put a flame up/onto the paper.

The other one I am not sure of....I only use flash paper in small bits (sankey's in a flash) and not sure just how big a ball could be lit, the logistics of lighting it and throwing it, etc. Now I know they offer various other flash prodcuts that may work.

I also mentioned that the thought of something like a d'lite - but on a larger scale - may work in that instance, although not as spectatular looking as the flash of fire.

What exactly is a fism flash? And can anyone tell me if that is at all a thought for this?

I am looking for any and all input for this and would love to hear your suggestions, thoughts, ideas, substite products, etc.....

could always use flash cotton and a finger flasher (which you can get on a pull for instant "get it our of my hands" shiznit)?

not sure if that would work?

I have seen one but never used one or seen one in actual use...but safe to assume it would flash/ignite, shoot, and burn quickly enough that it wouldn't be of any danger to the person it was directed at?

I supplied the very same effect for a witch in a play many moons ago. A thumb flasher (basically a tube and flint wheel on a TT), bit of flash cotton and a very light sprinkling of silver stars and you have a very easy, pretty and safe (providing common sense is used) effect that looks good. It's the sparkles that really enhance the effect.

Hope that helps.

For the 'fireball' effect you can get magic wands which are made from hollow steel tube, fitted with switcjes, batteries and glow plugs which will fire a pellet of paper and cotton on command. There are single firing ones and double firing ones so you can repeat the effect without 'reloading' if appropriate. I bought the double firing one ages ago but during an amateur drama production rehearsal pressed the wrong button and fired the pellet up my shirt sleeve - ruined the shirt, fried a lot of hair off the arm but no permanent damage except to my reputation! These wands are styled like a magician's wand with white or silver ends but they could easily be camouflaged as a witch or wizard's wand.

I've an electronic flash paper thrower, basically a little cannon that fits in the palm of your hand ball up some flash paper, or use flash cotton. Hit the little red button and make sure your batteries are fresh and it lauches a ball of fire from your finger tips. send me a message if you want some greater details.

I can't really help with the flash effect, but I have just been reading a description of an effect using a FISM Flash, and it is a bit like a flash bulb that you can use to make a burst of light appear between your hands. It's not a fire effect.

Anyone else shed some more light on the "Fism flash"...is it similar to a D'lite only a different style and brighter? Could it work you think?

moodini wrote:Anyone else shed some more light on the "Fism flash"...is it similar to a D'lite only a different style and brighter? Could it work you think?

As I said, it's like a flash bulb. While I don't want to reveal all the detail on the forum, the details are fairly freely available, so I'll PM you. The FISM Flash is no longer being made, but there are similar products around.

Well as I sit....

I have two good starts with the wand idea and the thumb flasher....as for the broom requirements....does it sound like my original idea will work?

Looking at the worst case scenario, flames of any kind next to broom bristles sounds a bit risky - could you dampen the bristles first to minimise the fire risk?

I'm assuming the broom effect is for near the end around the 'melting' scene (you can probably tell From the name I'm a bit of an Oz fan!). Why not spray/paint the broom with fire resistant stuff (just to be extra safe) and stick a fire wallet gimmick on the back of the bristles?

I too worry about the broom. FISM Flash, not going to get you where you want to go. Is usefull in its own right but to be 100% honest most people are pretty happy with the purchase of one but never seem to use it. Just one of those things.

Flash gun

http://www.perfectmagic.com/p-1597-flas ... ronic.aspx

Not a great picture and again you are throwing fire so great care must be taken.