Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:33:09 -0500
From: Hobey Ford <hobeyone-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Foot pedal flash?


I like Joe's idea of a foot pedal that poofs up talc or chalk powder.  I was
thinking of an air mattress foot pump sending air up a tube to the point on
the stage where you want the blast of powder. A high intensity LED or strobe
or light on a rheostat would be effective in illuminating the burst of
powder.  And best of all there is not the fire hazzard of a flash pot.
There  is the nuisance of the powder getting things , but when I use a poof
of powder out of a bulb syringe I aim it away from stuff.  A little chalk
powder poofed can be quite simple and effective.  I have a skunk that poofs!



On Fri, Jan 22, 2010 at 5:26 PM, Joe Dunfee <joe-AT-dunfee.com> wrote:

>  >I mainly use the flash  (flash cotton) for the entrance of the devil,
>  >genie, and magical  transformations.
>
>  >BTW - FYI - Here is a link to a page of measured trigger voltages for
>  >different camera flash models.
>
> I am surprised at the extreme variability of the voltages.  Some are
> quite low, others quite high.
>
> As for the magical appearances and transformations, here is yet some
> more brainstorming;
>
> I have been satisfied with some non-pyro, non-smoke methods used on
> human stages. But only on a dark stage where stage lights projected
> an effect onto the stage.  If you have a place for overhead lights,
> that may be viable.  One of the disco-type lights is what I am talking
> about.
>
> Now, if you would like to simulate the flash powder type effect,
> perhaps you can do so by adding a source of smoke to the flashing
> light. Of course the old idea of a squeeze bulb putting a puff of air
> into a chamber with talcum powder is an obvious idea.  The squeeze
> bulb might even fit into the foot switch and allow you to step on it
> to cause the smoke to rise, and then start the strobe as the
> electrical contact closes.  But, the powder would be a bit
> messy.  Another idea I have heard of, is a small puff generator
> marketed to magicians.  It works on chemical means, mixing the vapor
> from a strong ammonia and an acid source.  It is supposed to not need
> re-filling for hundreds of puffs, and the smoke is supposed to not be
> obnoxious smelling.  But, I haven't personally seen it in action to
> know the quantity of smoke.
>
> I have also played with a "Zero Blaster".  A toy that shoots smoke
> rings.  However, I don't know if it is really adaptable to foot pedal
> control, since  you must turn on the heater before trying to send out a
> puff.
>
> I know there are smoke generators for model trains, and a quick look
> on YouTube showed a lot of variation in terms of quantity of
> smoke.  But, I don't know if they will generate smoke fast enough
> from a cold start.
>
> After all the above ideas, I am thinking that the best idea my be to
> spray up a very fine mist of water just above a bright LED type strobe.
>
>
> Joe Dunfee  joe-AT-dunfee.com
> Gordonville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
>
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