So, I’m in a small performance of macbeth, and we have need for a NINJA VANISH. If you’re not familiar with the NINJA VANISH, it’s where a ninja throws down a little ball which explodes in a large cloud of smoke. My question is this: where could I acquire or make some NINJA VANISH balls?
Go to the theatre and practice with various things. You know – grenades, molotov cocktails, small pipe bombs…see what works best and gives the most convincing effect.
Sorry, I have no idea.
This link has some information you can use.
Also: Google on the keywords paintball smoke for more info.
The “NINJA VANISH” effect is actually accomplished by use of a pyrotechnic device called a “Flash Pot” which is quite a bit larger than that marble-sized ball and is buried in the ground under the “NINJA”. It is filled with “smoke powder” and fired remotely by the F/X crew via a wire or wireless control device. It produces the puff of smoke, not the little marble. Flash pots are dangerous to use if you are not trained and most theatres will not allow them without a licensed pyrotechnician to operate them. The unlicensed use of flash pots at a Great White club performance a year or so ago lead to the death of nearly 100 people in a club fire.
Smoke bombs from fireworks stands can produce the amount of smoke you need, but it will not be safe to use on a stage because they are even a bigger fire hazard than flash pots. They also do not disperse as quickly or cleanly as smoke from smoke powder and you will irritate your audience for the remainder of the performance with this method.
Basically, try to find a pyrotechnician who knows how to use flash pots and you should be ok. I would NOT recommend trying to produce this effect with homemade pyrotechnics or without the aid of a trained, preferably licensed, pyrotechnician.
Enjoy,
Steven
TMNT The Movie?
It’s about time people start including the Ninjas, that are so obviosly needed, in Shakespeare.
MALCOLM
Now near enough: your leafy screens throw down.
And show like those you are. You, worthy uncle,
Shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son,
Lead our first battle: worthy Macduff and we
Shall take upon 's what else remains to do,
According to our order.
SIWARD
Fare you well.
Do we but find the tyrant’s power to-night,
Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.
MACDUFF
Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath,
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death
SIWARD
Hark! But what is that sound!
MALCOM
Your ears deceive you. I hear nothing!
MACDUFF
To arms! It is an army of black clad demons that move swiftly as the night!
MALCOM
Move with haste my friends lest they go mad, kill us all, and play a merry jig upon their lute.
Get Nightcrawler to teleport you away, or a team of ninjas to lift you off the stage.
What?
Did anyone else open this thread wondering why ninjas would have made someone’s balls vanish?
Why would I want Ninjas to make my balls disappear?
Oh
Nevermind!!
“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife, for he possess the Real Ultimate Power!”
— Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 71 - 72
Ninja stains in your toilet bowl?
How strange.
Damn straight!
Well, the performance is already over (huge hit!), and my NINJA VANISH got me a standing ovation. After a gang of three murdered banquo and we circle-jerked over his dead body, I just blew flour towards the audience out of my left hand. It got the intended reaction. Thanks for all the help, guys!
Congratulations! It is good to see creatitivy triumphed, and in a manner which was not unduly dangerous.
Enjoy,
Steven