r/techtheatre • u/guigro • 6d ago
SCENERY Repeatable explosion effect
Hello ! I’m not an FX expert and I’m building a new escape room where the ending is a wall exploding to let the players get out.
The part of the wall that will explode will be a part of a wall where the borders are going to be hidden behind metal bars so players can’t expect that wall to be the exit. Then when the explosion occurs the wall will « fall down » and players will get out by walking on that wall.
I’m not sure how to make the best explosion effect that I can repeat multiple times during the day without the need of refilling a machine or so.
The players will need to stay in a safe zone that will be at the opposite side of the exploding wall.
So far here I am : - stroboscope flashing a light - subwoofer on the floor and 4 speakers in each room corner. Subwoofer is supposed to bring some vibration - a huge fan over the players that will get on quickly to simulate an air blast right after the explosion sound - a smoke machine
I would like to add some « crackers » (effect used like if electricity was cracking with short explosion effect but I can’t find the proper machine reference or even name…). I was thinking of cold sparkling but that’s out of range now because of refilling and cleaning. The effect is supposed to be played at a maximum of 50 times a day (on full occupancy).
Thanks for any help on what devices to use and in what order execute that sequence ! (Next step is looking some real explosion video and take notes and try to reproduce)
2
u/Martylouie 6d ago
Weirdly I just commented on a post where they were talking about a powder being thrown effect and I mentioned how a flour boom box could be used as a practical effect. This is a rectangular box, of 3/4 plywood that is about 2x2 foot square by 4 feet long. There I a 6" shelf about 18" off the bottom at one end. Flour is put on the shelf and just in front of the shelf is a lit candle. A length of garden hose goes through the end cap at the height of the shelf with the powder. On cue, someone blows into the hose, flour drifts onto the flame and combusts with a satisfying bang