Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 09:58:37 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fire


My holiday program, "Tales of Light" is a series of folktales all
about the aquisition of  fire.  I don't use any real fire but have a
fake fire and the children are mesmerized by it and right up to the
end of the show are wondering if it is real or not.  The prop really
couldn't be any better if it was real.  It also excercises that muscle
of suspending disbelief which I feel brings them farther along into
the world of the show.  While the stories are funny at times there is
a cautionary message in the stories about the dangers of fire.

I agree with everything Christopher had to say about the use of fire.
It goes along with the general rule of thumb I try to adhere to which
is while holding to quality standards of the performance, not to be
difficult or challenging to my tech crew or the sponsor or vendor or
otherwise make them regret that they invited me to perform.  I have
followed the trail of many wonderful performers who I'm informed that
the theater or school that they will never have back because they
overstepped or were too demanding.  One of the most amazing showcases
I've ever seen was a guy who made fire on stage with a bow drill.  It
couldn't have been safer, for he handled it expertly, but it so
freaked out the venue that he was banned from returning and he had
been a regular favorite.  I'd have to say he made a bad choice, for he
apparently hadn't asked first. It was a spectacular effect and the
audience was wowed but was it worth it?   In our market my answer
would be no.



On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 10:26 PM, Christopher Hudert
<heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com> wrote:
> There are flaming items on the stage, and flaming idiots on the stage.
> Usually the danger comes when the two of those items come together. Or,
> as the joke goes, "Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set
> a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
>
> It is possible to use fire safely, and even take creative risk while
> doing so. Common sense, preparedness, common precautions, and respect
> for the possible dangers go a long way towards everyone's safety -
> performer and audience alike. Ignoring one or more those items puts one
> at risk of being in the second category above, if only temporarily,
> needlessly putting people in danger.
>
> I've have used, and do use, live fire and sometimes other pyro effects
> in some of my shows, and I have used various forms of simulated fire. I
> have also been a licensed pyro tech, but that doesn't mean that I know
> everything or that I will never make a mistake or an accident will
> never happen. I've seen people with good sense get seriously hurt with
> fire and/or fire effects (and have come close once or twice myself) in
> spite of fairly good precautions. There are times when a substitute or
> fake fire will do, and times when you need to "go real, or not at all."
> Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference because we got married to
> an idea and couldn't let it go.
>
> I've been at and/or involved in shows where there were firemen and/or
> pyro techs on location whenever there was the slightest amount of fire
> used. Some of these people took their jobs way too seriously and took
> things to ridiculous extremes, others were way too lax putting in
> physical but not mental time, and others representing all things in
> between.
>
> I've seen Preston's show when he was able to do the fire and had no
> major concerns of his use of the fire. And the show was great.
>
> I been at some show that used fire and spent much time mentally
> locating exits, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipments. I
> couldn't tell you much about the shows as I was too preoccupied with
> safety worries to pay attention to the show. In my book that would not
> be a good use of live fire as it distracted from rather than enhanced
> the show.
>
> In short (if it's not too late for that), if you use fire, do so
> judiciously and safely, but be prepared for the fact that some venues
> will absolutely forbid its use, no exceptions. Often there is a work
> around, but sometimes the only alternative is different show. Try to be
> understanding of a venue's concerns and/or restrictions. Perhaps their
> rules may seem down right stupid, and in fact they may be, but often it
> is not in the authority of anyone there to change them just for you.
> Bend when you can, stay firm when you need to be.
>
> Christopher
>
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