Moments before, director Rasha Sharbatgi had been wielding her loudhailer, calling for silence before counting down to the controlled explosion.
Onlookers arriving at the set near Arnus Square in central Damascus found a burning car and people lying on the ground.
One swore in anger when he discovered the blast that had startled him was a scene being shot for Sharbatgi's latest series "Shoq", named for its main character.
She is one of many Syrian artists who have decided to draw inspiration from their country's bloody six-year conflict.
Her series is among the offerings on television during this year's fasting season of Ramadan, a peak viewing period for many in the region who settle down to watch after eating their sunset meal.
Syria, along with Egypt, is known as a hub for television and film production in the Middle East, and the country's war is having a major impact on its output.
"Lately the content of series has varied between love stories, comedy and historical dramas," Sharbatgi told AFP.
"There has been little in the way of real-life drama because everyone is trying to escape from depicting the current reality and fresh wounds."
"I personally fled into work on love and relationships over the past three years, but I couldn't escape all the time," she added.
"I promised that this year I would do something that focuses on the crisis in a direct manner."
