Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 13:22:12 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fire


I have featured fire in my shows but always simulations of fire.  The
fire prop which they sell at Spencers gift shops works very nicely and
Rosco  makes a very realistic candle prop operated by battery.  I used
to make my own fire prop with fan and silver thin milar with a fire
colored gel on a small spot light.  Another nice trick for fire light
is to use a fan on a piece of gold milar with a spot focused on the
slightly waving milar.  The light is reflected back on the set or
shadow screen simulating the jumping illumination you get from a real
torch.  Disney's Pirate ride had a similar trick of placing a large
sheet of clear plastic inside a window at an angle.  Fan and orange
light were placed below and as the plastic moves it sends up the
illusion of flames.  The nice thing about it was that you see through
the plastic as well at the animatronic pirate standing inside the
window.  I think using real fire in a puppet show calls to much
attention to the fact that it is real fire and the possibility of
danger.  The acception perhaps is The Center for Puppetry Arts and
John Ludwigs piece called "Fire" which I didn't see but have heard
wonderful descriptions of.  The people who saw spoke of the very real
feeling of danger in the show, which was the point I suppose.  I would
love to have seen it.  They were extraordinarily careful with their
very special effect.  I think I recall that they were required to have
a fireman in the wings.  Does anyone know?  I also recall at the San
Franscisco Festival there were a couple of shows that had to pull
their fire from the show because of fire marshall regulations.  I also
recall people being upset about those rules, but I the Bankok tragedy
certainly points out the danger of fire and fireworks (which seems
very absurd being indooors)  You will remember the Rhode Island Night
club fire which was another case of indoor fireworks igniting the
ceiling.  As for the Burning Man gathering in Nevada, It is on my list
of things to try and see.  Didn't the huge burning man sculpture get
torched early this year by an over eager participant?

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 11:50 AM, Michael Moynihan <mmoynihan-AT-wi.rr.com> wrote:
> When I was running a theatre company we had performers who would
> juggle flaming torches, eat/spit fire & spin fire, sometimes while on
> stilts. We made and used puppets, but never incorporated fire puppets.
>
> Of course most performances were outside.
>
> A friend and multi talented performer, musician, costumer &
> photographer, who I worked with & goes by the name of PHOENIX
> FIRESTARTER is at THE BURNING MAN festival every year. She is on the
> crew that sets it up before and returns the dessert to its original
> state after the celebration. She is a fire performer. I've seen
> pictures and videos and live cams of the annual event. I'd bet there
> are artist created fire breathing dragons and various fire puppets
> there.
>
> Just found this image
> http://tinyurl.com/752ulf
>
> and this vid
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXasuPMnysg
>
>
> m j moynihan
> milwaukee usa
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