(Which is mine, but pertinent to the discussion. Maybe.)

The photo realistic flames, interactive lighting of the fire on the hands and the tracking and masking required is fairly complex. It could be done, but it would be rather challenging. And contrary to assertions earlier in this thread, the flames to react to being moved side to side–which would be true even if a particle system was being used to simulate fire.

Also, while agree with the “video professionals” that the video is probably real, “video professional” isn’t usually how efx artists describe themselves.

From a technical standpoint, simulating the constantly-changing lighting conditions on the subject holding the fireballs would be an incredible nightmare. If someone had those kinds of chops and wanted to perpetrate a hoax, I can think of a lot more interesting things to fake than a guy handling fire.

I don’t disagree that doing this is probably stupid, but as a video professional, I seriously doubt that it was done via compositing.

The way the flame moves through and around the guy’s fingers is pretty complex, and no matter what angle the camera is at, the flame appears to be shot at the correct angle. Throw in how the light from the flame reacts with the camera’s automatic gain control, and you have a hell of a lot of complicated compositing to do.

As for the lighter fluid not sticking to his fingers, at about 8 seconds in, he pulls his thumb back and a tiny flame remains briefly on his thumb. Something similar happens at about 2:15, and again at 3:21.

The segment where the lighter fluid is being squirted onto the ball does look suspicious, but after watching it about 20 times, I think our eyes are being fooled by the angle and the fact that the lighter fluid is clear.

Youtube link: “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgXIPabIrkw”

I cant speak for this specifically, but i used to light my entire hand on fire all the time by dipping it in rubbing alcohol. I just had a bowl of water at the ready. Never burned myself.

I’m not sure if my hands are insensitive to heat because I do lots of things like that, or I do lots of things like that because my hands are insensitive to heat.

There have been times I’ve burned myself, and the first indication was the sound or the smell. I have learned to recognize the ‘slippery’ feeling of very hot metal, and this has saved me from a burn many times.

(And in case you’re wondering, the only scar visible on my hands was from a cut, not a burn.)

Can’t wait to make some of these balls and play with them.

In my art school days I’d often draw a streak of Zippo fluid from the cuff of my jeans up and over my crotch and down the other side for the purposes of super funk dancing.

While warm, it was not too hot to handle. However! You do experience something akin to sunburn if done too much. A subtle redding and irritation, but not what I’d call a “burn”.

Furthermore – using the art school bent again, if thats compositing… that dude has SUPER super kung fu.

Hey, don’t look at me like that. At least we didn’t light our farts. (Well, I didn’t, anyway.)

I think everyone should realize that when playing with fire, your mileage may vary and you might get get burned.

P.S. The Feynman tapes are here, if anyone else wants to grab the cool stories. Well worth
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I am also a video professional and can confirm that whatever the wisdom of this trick might be, the video is not a trick of compositing and anyone who thinks it is doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Thank you.

Its NOT a “Flaming oily rag” – that would be ouchy.

Its the magic lighter fluid what does the trick.
I remember doing this sort of thing as a Teenager.
You can pour lighter fluid on your palm and set light to it OK.
Likewise the back of your hand – though the burning hairs smell a bit rank.

Good idea – squirt lighter fluid on your mate’s parka in the bus queue. Light match. Hilarity ensues.

Bad idea – squirt lighter fluid on your mate’s nylon rally jacket in the bus queue. Light match. Tragedy ensues.

Brilliant idea – squirt lighter fluid on your mate’s tennis ball and play “Flaming-Comet Night-Tennis”. History beckons.

I actually thought about this when typing that i used to do that. I can see that happening pretty easily.

I really enjoyed walking barefoot across burning coals.

The catch is it has to be kerosene, which burns at a low temperature. You knot cotton rags and/or socks together in ball shapes, and soak them for several days in kerosene. Everyone goes outside after dark, stands in a circle, light them, and pitch them around. You can hold them up to a couple of seconds and feel nothing more than warmth.

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