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zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Ok, here it is, this may sound strange but I figured someone out there may have come across the same thing and if not, you may no more about it than me. I was approached by a theatre director about matches that go out quickly...for example they could be lit, thrown down and you wouldn’t have to worry about them still being lit on the stage floor. My first though was just cheap paper matches and that they would naturally go out on the fall to the stage but since there was no guarantee we couldn’t go with that. So, is there any type of match or anything that could be lit thrown and be out by the time it hit the floor? I hope this all makes sense...
Zaubern
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Sid Mayer Special user Santa Fe, NM 656 Posts |
The safest way that I know of is to have a bucket of damp sand concealed behind some element of the stage set. That is providing the match is tossed into the bucket.
Another approach is to treat all but the very tip of the match with sodium silicate (also called "water glass"). It will light and quickly go out. I don't recommend playing with matches under any circumstances. Sid
All the world's a stage ... and everybody on it is overacting.
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TommyTheTremendous Regular user 151 Posts |
Suggestion:
Damp all but the sulfur tip of the match in water. You can also wrap a small amount of flash paper around the match to have the paper absorb the flame and by the time you drop the match, the flash paper will go out. I would highly suggest making sure that your matches are damp RIGHT BEFORE your show if you want them to go out quickly. I have found a soaking match to go out quickly for a few tricks, but as Sid as said, quick matches are not the safest route.
- Tommy Magic
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zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Great, thanks for the suggestions guys! this worked great
Zaubern
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ClouDsss Inner circle 1799 Posts |
When thrown, the wind created tends to blow the match out. I don't see how it can be thrown and still remain lit when it hits the ground
cheerios
Think outside the box, cos people are all thinking inside now!! - ClouDsss
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zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Well that's what I had though but they wanted assurance that it would be out so I needed to come up with something do do that. I tried just throwing it and it went out nearly every time.
Zaubern
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
The operant word in your post being "nearly." fire Marshalls can be VERY picky about fire safety in theaters - trust me on that! Which is probably why the director wanted a fool proof (or, better yet, idiot proof!) method to insure that they would go out each and every time.
Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Well the times they were not out when they hit they went out just as they hit, there wasn't a danger of the place burning down. But better safe than sorry!
Zaubern
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Sounds like you are already done with this, but, I would also say that in a pinch, you could use a lipped baking sheet painted flat black, or other color to match the stage, with a bottom cushion of felt to keep it quiet. Then add a layer of water saturated paper towels, or other absorbent fabric/material. It would give you a larger target to throw the matches onto. Add a small cord to the end with the hang hole and it can be removed form offstage quickly as the lights or action on stage changes to get it out of the way.
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Nick Wait Inner circle Lichfield, UK 1042 Posts |
When throwing it down, if you go up with the wrist after lighting then flick the wrist before droping the match it will go out just after being released. This action can be made to be unnoticable.
Nick Well that's how I've done it and have never had a problem. nick |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Just becasue there is no flame, doesn't mean that is no heat.
And if that heat contacts something whose flash point is near to the temperature of the match, that item will burst into flames. A match is not safe until it is totally out, and that will not always happen before the match hits the floor or whatever. It might be cold "most times", but Fire marshalls, and Magicians with any sense should not be content with anything less than absolutely out. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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