Confetti cannons are the most common approach for large-scale productions wanting to make a big splash at just the right moment. Providing an explosive punch of glitter that fills the air, confetti cannons are visually stunning, but expensive. They should only be utilized by trained professionals to ensure safety at all times.
The use of a "tumbler" of confetti over the stage or audience allows for a softer, subtler confetti effect. The tumbler is typically a cylinder suspended over the stage. The bottom half is opaque, while the top half is punctured with large holes or openings or is simply a wire mesh.
At the appropriate time, the operator simply turns the handle on the cylinder, creating a gentle and regularly spaced fall of confetti that is still popular today for creating a snow effect onstage.
The use of a "confetti bag" is an old-fashioned special effect still used in theatre today. A confetti bag is a large cloth bag with a deep slit down the center, which is closed with a loose stitch ending in a long cord that reaches the floor. For the confetti to fall, simply pull the cord, opening the stitch as the confetti falls.
Confetti can be surprisingly versatile as a stage effect simply through the canny use of color, depending on the needs of the scene.
For vibrant and traditional confetti, a combination of foil and colorful confetti is best, while for snow, soft white tissue paper confetti is preferable.
A tumbler can even help simulate rainfall, through silvery showers of confetti, or imply a wealth of riches with a rich fall of confetti in gold.
For outdoor events or performances, be sure to use environmentally-safe confetti. There are several companies across the nation that offer special confetti for outdoor use which dissolves seamlessly and without toxins when exposed to water.