Wizard of OZ .... Witch smoke..... instant

Hi everyone

This is my first post so please let me know if i do something wrong.

My problem is in the Wizard of Oz when the witch appears out of no where... i need instant smoke but cannot put a smoke machine due to no power and lack of space... I believe i saw some beads a while ago that claimed to produce instant smoke when broken, has anyone every heard of or used these? if so do you know where i can buy them online or in AUS?

I'm open to any suggestions you guys and girls have :)

thanks very much

Jack

If you need more info i can get it for you.
 
I've seen this used in a multitude of productions. The sound it makes is also kinda cool (pardon the pun).
 
we used a CO2 fire extinguisher.
IF you do go this route, please make sure it's an EXTRA fire extinguisher and label it clearly "EFX ONLY--NOT for Fire Fighting!" or some such. Should an actual fire occur, you don't want someone attempting to use a partially depleted or empty extinguisher. I'd paint it a non-red color also.
 
I'm not sure how well this product works, or if it's available in your area, but there is "fog-in-a-can"

Fantasy FX Professional Haze Spray "Fog In A Can" Diffusion 8oz. (Ships By Ground Only) - Filmtools
The disclaimer does indicate that the haze may be virtually invisible without well-placed lighting to shine through the particulate.

I'm also with Derek on painting the fire extinguisher some non-standard color if you go that route. I know that in some U.S. jurisdictions, abandoned fire hydrants are painted black, but any color other than red, white or silver (along with a "SPECIAL EFX" label) should work.
 
We filled a pair of 50 gallon trashbags with fog from a regular party grade fog machine, then whooshed it out from offstage where the witch entered. Worked perfectly.
 
Hey guys

thanks very much for the Idea's the Co2 effect looks cool on Youtube :) That is the effect i am looking for, but just to clear up the details

all I need is a regular co2 fire extinguisher
then I just place it where I need it and press the button at the time, or use a solenoid valve and remote control it

that sounds to simple, am I missing something?

thanks
 
That's about it. Be careful in your selection of CO2 extinguisher. Some of them scream like a banshee.
 
Hey, I see almost all of the responses suggesting a CO2 fire extinguisher, but they're very expensive to buy.....so what do you do?
 
Fire extinguisher shop??? I'll ask around....Do you think 1 CO2 extinguisher could work 30 times? That's about how many times it will be used (from tech, to dress rehearsals, to performances)?
 
Fire extinguisher shop??? I'll ask around....Do you think 1 CO2 extinguisher could work 30 times? That's about how many times it will be used (from tech, to dress rehearsals, to performances)?

Google "fire extinguisher service orlando" There are probably a few of them in your area. We have at least 2 shops here in a city of 160k people, so I know you have to have some too. Mainly they service the fire extinguishers in businesses. They do things like annual inspections, training, servicing, and pretty much anything else you can think to that has to do with fire extinguishers.

edit: No I doubt one will last for 30 shows. It depends on the size, duration, etc. to know for sure though.
 
Google "fire extinguisher service orlando" There are probably a few of them in your area. We have at least 2 shops here in a city of 160k people, so I know you have to have some too. Mainly they service the fire extinguishers in businesses. They do things like annual inspections, training, servicing, and pretty much anything else you can think to that has to do with fire extinguishers.

edit: No I doubt one will last for 30 shows. It depends on the size, duration, etc. to know for sure though.

You might also check with industrial/commercial gas companies (you know, the ones that provide welding gases and the ones that provide CO2 for soda fountains). They may be able to rent you a cylinder large enough to hold enough CO2 for the entire run with an appropriate valve. That could save you the trouble of refilling a fire extinguisher over and over.

And I'll echo what was said above - a pressurized gas absorbs a tremendous amount of heat when it is release. A several-second release of CO2 can chill a metal valve to the point that flesh will freeze to it, so be careful!
 
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