Director
Creative or operational relevance to directing
Gel applied to skin, costumes, or props that burns in a controlled manner without igniting the underlying surface — the foundation of most fire stunts.
Fire Gel is a water-based gel with a flammable component. It is applied to the surface intended to burn, while simultaneously shielding it: the flame is within the gel, not on the material underneath.
What it is used for
- Partial burns on arms, backs, or costume parts, where an actor remains visible on screen.
- Burning props that are intended to survive the shot.
- Short, controlled flames where open fire would be too unpredictable.
The Limitations
The burn time is short—seconds, not minutes—and this is precisely the safety margin. Application and ignition are exclusively handled by the effects department, with extinguishing agents, a fire blanket, and a person whose sole task is to watch and extinguish in case of emergency.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
Importance in production planning and execution
More in the lexikon
Related terms
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Burn Gel / Fire Retardant Gel
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Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Was beschreibt „Feuergel" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Feuergel"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?