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Question about flash-grenades for an action story


PigPen

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Hello forum friends --

 

So, please pardon my ignorance. I know literally nothing about pyrotechnics whatsoever, so I apologize if this question is utterly absurd.

 

I'm wondering if the contents of a flash-grenade can be used to blow the hinges off of a door. I know. I know. Very random question. Problem is, I'm writing a script where two characters are trapped in a jail cell, and the only tool they have on hand to aid their escape are a number of flash-grenades. I'm wondering if it's in any way believable that they could be used in a believable way to facilitate their escape. Just thought I'd throw that out there. If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them! Thanks a bunch!

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For the purpose of a film script it would be perfectly reasonable -according to the hinges obviously. For the purpose of a film shoot I would use a lot of pre drilled, pre cut or pre broken set components and bread then on cue repeatedly with small levers or strings with a small dust cloud FX to cover any movement and look like the blast effect.

 

For the film a cardboard tube painted dark green would be sufficient, then let the FX guys do the rubble and dust cloud.

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PigPen-

 

When it comes to movie magic, there are no limits. Especially if you have access to CGI for the film. Now, you are writing the script- so can you talk to your "special effects" crew and what they can produce?

 

A "Flash Grenade" is not the same as a "Flash Bang". If your characters have the bang versions, these are toned down- less lethal items that any LE or re-enactment studio can buy- civilians can USUALLY can their hands on them but 90% of the time the companies won't want to chance the liability.

 

If your characters are trapped in a more military style setting then the grenade version would be readily available for sure. And yes, the grenade version would have that kind of power. Home scene wood core doors with plated brass hinges would not stand up to one in the real world- however; you said jail, so lots of metal and concrete.

 

Using one in a real life jail break would hurt the escapers more than help them. So for the sake of the script you could show one kind of grenade (fake of course) and use a method of movie magic to get the desired results. I.E. a Flash Grenade or Flash Bang will not take out a wall or steel, but in a movie they can!

 

Arthur has the right direction using purely SFX to show the damage and honestly that is always more permissible than using any amount of real product. Smoke and mirrors PigPen... smoke and mirrors.

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Thanks for the help, everyone!

 

Yes, this would be for writing purposes only. This isn't something I ever expect will be shot.

 

My characters are locked in an unguarded prison cell and have flash bangs (the kind riot control police might have) on their person. If I understand correctly, it sounds like they could reasonably (at least in movie-world) use the concussive force of the flash bang (perhaps augmented with some black powder) to knock the cell door's bolts off, or at least cause significant damage. Am I right?

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Yes completely correct

In real life a grenade exploded in a room would HURT but in film it would be perfectly acceptable to remove a door hinge or bend a lock out of place.

 

Not so long ago a MAJOR film showed a row of CarlGustavs the wrong way round! which for an artillery person is real dumb but for a world leading film it's fine.

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