Pyro-Night Part I

Ghost Bride in zombie make-up
Candle stick, floating in air.
Bride ghost and candle stick side by side.
Dry ice fog generator. Never touch dry ice with out wearing gloves.

In-the-camera EFX

Floating candles and ghost bride combined into an in the camera EFX shot.

PRACTICE QUIZ

1. If you are unsure as to whether or not a license is required for any special effect involving Effects you may contact: the California State Fire Marshal.
2. One of the most dangerous aspects of effects work is the use of pyrotechnics and explosives.
3. Laws covering special effects can be found: I. State Fireworks Law, California Health and Safety Code, Section 12500 - 12728II. State Fireworks Regulations, Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6.
4. When preparing for a pyrotechnic effect, test under conditions as near to those finally envisaged as possible.
5. Always carry explosives and pyrotechnics in suitable containers.
6. Don’t retain ‘special’ pyrotechnic items.
7. Never connect anything to a wire without first making certain that the battery or firing box is not attached to the other end.
8. No fire effect, however small, shall be carried out without at least one extinguisher available on site.
9. For smoke to be produced it is essential that the mixture does not flame.
10. Smoke pots should not be placed in proximity to anything that will catch fire.
11. Ensure that personnel cannot be trapped in buildings or studios before commencing fire and smoke sequences.
12. A burning charcoal tablet gives off smoke when a few drops of oil or resin chips are applied.
13. For faulty electrical equipment, which has to be seen to have some sort of dramatic short circuit or electric malfunction use Hot-wire smoke.
14. Capsules filled with powder may be used to simulate the dust caused by a bullet striking rock.
15. Capsules filled with grease provide a passable imitation of broken glass.
16. Bullet hits usually occur (dramatically) in the chest or shoulder and consequently the most difficult areas to protect are the underside of the face and the insides of the arms.
17. Bullet hits on the body must first rupture the clothing and then produce a flow of blood.
18. It is not easy to show both the gun being fired and the bullet striking the body in the same frame unless the gun too is wired up and fired simultaneously with the bullet hits.
19. Capsule gun can produce realistic effects without actual damage to the glass.
20. A mirror can appear to be shattered by a bullet if a captive, spring-loaded bolt is released from behind.
21. Few splinters of glass escape from the adhesive backing, but if an actor is close to the mirror, it should be fronted with a protective sheet of acrylic plastic.
22. Mirrors or sheets of glass that are shot at with metal projectiles (including the spring arm) will break disappointingly unless they are covered at the back with adhesive plastic sheet.
23. Smoke guns should never be pointed directly at actors, or discharged into open flames.
24. Smoke is probably a more important ingredient than flame in studio fire sequences. Cleverly lit, smoke can seem to be almost flame-like in quality without involving the production in fire risk.
25. Remember that a building full of smoke can endanger the lives of people in areas not directly involved in the fire sequence