An artificial fire machine consists of an enclosed fan, colored lights and a piece of white fabric. The white fabric mimics a flame and is blown by the fan in a way that scatters the light, creating the effect of a flickering fire. These machines can be allowed to run safely for several hours at a time and are the most realistic-looking fire simulation. They look best when a base is crafted from logs or another material that creates the effect of an authentic fire pit. Another electronic simulation is a red and orange blown glass lamp that when lit, symbolizes the fire.
Manual simulations are stationary set pieces which do not glow like a fire but that are designed to clearly represent fire. The most simple of these set pieces would be sturdy card board cut-outs painted to look like campfires. Highly customized fires could be crafted from paper-mache, blown glass or hard-coated sculpted foam. These simulations can be made more effective by dimming the light on most of the set during campfire scenes to focus light exclusively on the fire. Use lighting effects and colors to create the illusion that the set piece is glowing and flickering on its own.
Conceptual simulations require the most imagination and communicate to the audience that a fire is supposed to be present without using any obvious visual representations of a fire. Actors are integral to the success of conceptual simulations because they must use physical cues to show the audience that a fire is supposed to be burning. Alternatively conceptual simulations may include situations in which one or more actors attempt to represent the fire by dancing in a way that represents the flames.
Choosing between electronic, manual and conceptual simulations requires consideration of finances, your audience and the additional resources you have available. Conceptual simulations are the least expensive but may not be acceptable to the audience unless the theater is known for experimental, artistic productions. Simple manual simulations such as the cardboard cut-out may be acceptable for school theaters or low-budget productions, but may appear unprofessional in other settings. A professionally made manual piece and an artificial flame machine may cost the same or in some cases, the flame machine may be the least expensive option. Models vary in size and some may produce additional effects such as creating smoke. Flame machines also generate some noise from the fan. Specially designed foam structures combined with lighting effects may work best if the fire needs to be unique for each play produced while flame machines may be better choices for reuse.