Flash Module For Film

For use in a short film I am writing, I need a realistic muzzle flash. The best looking way to do that is a real flash from the muzzle area of the gun, to cast realistic shadows. This is extra important for my script as we will be shooting in the dark, only using flashlights in an engine room aboard a ship.

Lots of movement make it difficult to use other lights, so I am designing a flash module that flashes when it detects sound over a value threshold, making it an easy prop to act with.

The DFRobot Beetle fits within the handle of the prop I purchased for use in the film. It's Arduino-based, a language I already know how to use, so I thought I'd teach myself how to make it detect a sound and flash the LED. I began this project at the early stages of my SolidWorks education, so it has been a good project to continue learning there as well.

I'm now on ~nine iterations of the module as I work on getting it to fit just right inside the grip, while fitting all the required equipment. It's been a fun challenge, since it also needs to cosmetically not distract and be able to hide in the hand of the person using it.