Special Effects for the Theatre

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Definition: Effects that are out of the ordinary or unique to a given production. Special effects usually do not fall within a given design area without discussion among the production team.

Special Effect Classifications

Mechanical

Tosca
Duluth/Superior Symphony Opera
Richard Durst, Scenic Designer
Firing squad flintlocks

 

 

You Can't Take It With You
Frank Silberstein, Scenic Design
Brown County Playhouse
Fireworks

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Pyrotechnical

Pippin
Richard Durst, Scenic Designer
Minnesota Repertory Theatre

 

Pippin

Magical Entrance

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Electrical

You Can't Take It With You

Arden Weaver, Scenic Design
Justin Anderson, Lighting Designer
UMD Theatre

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Special Effects Examples

Moon

• Gobo pattern on a cyc
• Projected slide image
• Shadow box

Into the Woods
Arden Weaver, Scenic Designer
Scott Mellesmoen, Lighting Designer
UMD Theatre

Chicago
Arden Weaver, Scenic Design
UMD Theatre

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Stars

• Gobo pattern on a cyc, glass or steel
• Fiber optic curtain
• Christmas tree lights with black scrim

Robber Bridegroom
Richard Durst, Scenic Designer
UMD Theatre

Lightning

• Photo floods
• Camera or LED strobes
• Shadow boxes

Water

• Bounce light off actual water
• Projections with gobo rotators

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Fiber Optics

Great God Brown
Arden Weaver, Scenic Designer
UMD Theatre

Fire

Minnesota State Fire Code
Religious Ceremonies and Theatrical Performances:

Candles and other open-flame devices are allowed in religious ceremonies and theatrical performances when adequate safeguards have been taken, such as:

Lighted candles should only be used by persons 15 years of age and older.
A device should be provided to protect hands from melting wax.
Lighted candles should not be tilted to light another candle.
Lighted candles should be kept away from easily ignited materials. Particular attention should be paid to clothing that could be easily ignited.
Persons should remain stationary with lighted candles.
Other reasonable safeguards deemed necessary by the code official.

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• 
  The 10 deadliest public assembly fires in U.S. history according to
  The National Fire Prevention Association
• 
  • Iroquois Theater, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903, 602 killed.
  • Cocoanut Grove Night Club, Boston, MA, November 28, 1942, 492 killed.
  • Conway's Theater, Brooklyn, NY, December 5, 1876, 285 killed.
  • Rhythm Club Dance Hall, Natchez, MS, April 23, 1940, 207 killed.
  • Rhodes Opera House, Boyertown, PA, January 12, 1908, 170 killed.
  • Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus tent, Hartford, CT, July 6,1944, 168 killed.
  • Beverly Hills Supper Club, Southgate, KY, May 28, 1977, 165 killed.
  • Richmond Theater, Richmond, VA, December 26, 1811, 160 killed
  (including the governor and a former U.S. senator from the state).
  • The Station Nightclub, West Warwick, RI, February 20, 2003, 100 killed.
  • Happy Land Social Club, Bronx, NY, March 25, 1990, 87 killed.

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• Projections with gobo rotators
• Stylized, comical - rolling log
• Standard lighting equipment out of audience's view with random chase effect

Art of Dining
Richard Durst, Scenic Designer
Minnesota Repertory Theatre

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 Visible flames in fireplace - gelled MR16s, flamed-shaped colored silk, fans

More from Minnion's Web

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 Limited space?
FS-2 fluorescent starters wired in series with low wattage lamps

Romantic Comedy
Roger Anderson, Scenic Designer
Minnesota Repertory Theatre

 

Romantic Comedy

Fireplace Close-up

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Getting Out
Brenda Kiefer, Scenic Designer
Indiana University Theatre

 

Getting Out

Fire in Jail Cell using FS2 Fluorescent Starters

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Flicker Effect with a DC Power Source

Other Flicker Techniques
Other

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  Actual Flames

Hamlet
Jan Zabinski, Scenic Designer
Illinois Shakespeare Festival

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Fire Effect Using Automobile Signal Indicators

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Multiple Effects

The Father
Treva Reimer, Scenic Designer
Indiana University Theatre

 

The Father
Light source from within table - standard household lamp with metal reflector-

 

 

The Father
Hurricane lamp with wooden base and fiberglas shade

 

 

The Father
Lamp base detail showing electrical contacts

 

 

The Father
Electronic circuitry using DC capacitor and variable resistor

 

 

The Father
Lamp being thrown

 

 

The Father
Lamp explosion - in floor charge using Hercules Red Dot gun powder