Forums > Technical Discussion > Fire effects for marking perimeters
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
journeyman
60 posts
Location: london, United Kingdom
journeyman
60 posts
Location: london, United Kingdom
Posted:
A question I think can be easily answered - I just can't find one!
Running a show outside with an audience of 500 people - I want to make a semi-circular ring of flame around them on the ground that can be lit off the staff of a single performer in the centre.
How would you advise this to be done? It's on grass so I don't want to leave scorched earth, needs to take quickly but stay safe.
I'm a bit stumped!
Any thoughts or previous experience would be gratefully appreciated.
Many thanks
xA
A question I think can be easily answered - I just can't find one!
Running a show outside with an audience of 500 people - I want to make a semi-circular ring of flame around them on the ground that can be lit off the staff of a single performer in the centre.
How would you advise this to be done? It's on grass so I don't want to leave scorched earth, needs to take quickly but stay safe.
I'm a bit stumped!
Any thoughts or previous experience would be gratefully appreciated.
Many thanks
xA
it's not that i mean to set things on fire...
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Hmm - without wanting to scorch the grass is tricky, as you're then looking into metal structures with wicking attached.
If you can't mark the grass at all, it would really need to be kevlar as towelling would disintergrate and fall onto the grass.
To make them quick lighting, you can use a more volatile fuel over a paraffin base - e.g. you could use lighter-fuel on one end to make sure that it catches quickly, then just let the paraffin do the rest of the work.
If this is going to be infront of the stage, you'll want to consider smoke as well - don't want to blind/choke the audiance (or performer).
Hmm - without wanting to scorch the grass is tricky, as you're then looking into metal structures with wicking attached.
If you can't mark the grass at all, it would really need to be kevlar as towelling would disintergrate and fall onto the grass.
To make them quick lighting, you can use a more volatile fuel over a paraffin base - e.g. you could use lighter-fuel on one end to make sure that it catches quickly, then just let the paraffin do the rest of the work.
If this is going to be infront of the stage, you'll want to consider smoke as well - don't want to blind/choke the audiance (or performer).
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
enthusiast
360 posts
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
enthusiast
360 posts
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'd use some 2x1, cut into 6" lengths & notched at one end, stake that into the ground & string some hessian or cheap rope (not polyester) along the top.
Do make sure nobody is sat too close when you light it though.
I'd use some 2x1, cut into 6" lengths & notched at one end, stake that into the ground & string some hessian or cheap rope (not polyester) along the top.
Do make sure nobody is sat too close when you light it though.
addict
489 posts
Location: Perth
489 posts
Location: Perth
Posted:
We just use individual tiki's. I wouldn't want them to be looking at me through a wall of smoke!
We just use individual tiki's. I wouldn't want them to be looking at me through a wall of smoke!
BRONZE Member
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Posted:
I use those wicker torches you can get from the garden center.
I use those wicker torches you can get from the garden center.
May my balls of fire set your balls on fire 
SILVER Member
newbie
29 posts
Location: Buffalo NY, USA
newbie
29 posts
Location: Buffalo NY, USA
Posted:
White paper bags, filled with an inch of sand, with a tea light or votive candle. Luminaries are easy, effective, and cheap.
White paper bags, filled with an inch of sand, with a tea light or votive candle. Luminaries are easy, effective, and cheap.
burn baby burn
6 posts
Location: silverstone uk
6 posts
Location: silverstone uk
Posted:
RE: PAPER BAGS
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA- I'VE USED PAPER BAGS TO MARK OUT PATHS AND LABYRINTHS AND IS REALLY EFFECTIVE- TEA LIGHTS LAST FOR AGES AND ANY PAPER BAG WILL DO...THE STRIPEY ONES FROM SWEET SHOPS OR BROWN ONES FROM MARKETS ARE EXCELLENT-
ALSO ITS PRETTY SIMPLE TO LIFT THE TURF A SPADES WIDTH IF YOU GAN GET PERMISSION AND HAVE A LITTLE TIME!!
RE: PAPER BAGS
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA- I'VE USED PAPER BAGS TO MARK OUT PATHS AND LABYRINTHS AND IS REALLY EFFECTIVE- TEA LIGHTS LAST FOR AGES AND ANY PAPER BAG WILL DO...THE STRIPEY ONES FROM SWEET SHOPS OR BROWN ONES FROM MARKETS ARE EXCELLENT-
ALSO ITS PRETTY SIMPLE TO LIFT THE TURF A SPADES WIDTH IF YOU GAN GET PERMISSION AND HAVE A LITTLE TIME!!
life is like a box of chocolates- i like the fruity bits..
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