I'm doing props for a student production Evil Dead the Musical and the director wants the actor playing Ash to break a few plates over his own head. I thought about greenware but I think it would probably cause an issue with shards flying into the actor's eyes and honestly I've dropped a plate on my foot made of the stuff and it hurt a lot. We don't have the money to spare on pre-made plates for 6 performances either. Any suggestions on a cheap way to not maim the actor and still get the effect?
breaking a plate on an actor
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Sayen
Active Member
I'm not sure about on his head...but I've made breakaway dishes that were broken on a table by taking plastic dining ware, cutting it into pieces, then using small drops of white glue and scotch tape to hold the whole thing together. The split apart quite nicely. Works with clay flower pots too. Make sure it's soft if it has to hit his head though, that part makes me pause a bit.
BrianWolfe
Active Member
sugar casting
If you make Sugar Glass with proper thickness, it will break in a way that dulls the edges.
I've used the stuff before for a sketch of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and it was great and easy. The only problem was that ants seemed to like it too...
It's simply to make, or you can buy it from any FX dealer locally.
I'm a member of the IndyMogul Forums (Cris Cole there as well) and they did a special on it forever ago. This was the stuff I made, and if you pop it in a fridge for an hour before you use it, it shatters in lots of small chunks (kinda like those glass picnic tables) and not shards.
It worked really well for our purposes.
This week, how to make breakable fake glass! | Indy Mogul | Backyard FX Episode 6 | Indy Mogul - DIY filmmaking
I've used the stuff before for a sketch of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and it was great and easy. The only problem was that ants seemed to like it too...
It's simply to make, or you can buy it from any FX dealer locally.
I'm a member of the IndyMogul Forums (Cris Cole there as well) and they did a special on it forever ago. This was the stuff I made, and if you pop it in a fridge for an hour before you use it, it shatters in lots of small chunks (kinda like those glass picnic tables) and not shards.
It worked really well for our purposes.
This week, how to make breakable fake glass! | Indy Mogul | Backyard FX Episode 6 | Indy Mogul - DIY filmmaking
BrockTucker
Member
Unfired Greenware. It's pottery that's not been fired in a kiln yet. It breaks easily and leaves no sharp edges. You can paint it or leave it the natural white color. If it's still grey it needs to dry more before it will break properly.
Call one of those paint your own pottery places and ask about it. It costs them pennies to make/buy so if you find an owner that's sympathetic to theater it can be a free solution or at most an ad in your program.
Call one of those paint your own pottery places and ask about it. It costs them pennies to make/buy so if you find an owner that's sympathetic to theater it can be a free solution or at most an ad in your program.
jakewheat
Member
This may be a little late, but here is how we achieved that effect for Ash.
Take plaster of paris, and pour into metal pie pans.
Allow to dry.
Carefully remove.
Break over Ash.
The scene where Ash cuts off his hand is before Intermission, so have stage hands sweep away the plaster of paris pieces before ACT II.
It works well, and we got a LOT of laughs. Note: Do not use a thick layer, just enough to make a reasonably sized plate mold.
Take plaster of paris, and pour into metal pie pans.
Allow to dry.
Carefully remove.
Break over Ash.
The scene where Ash cuts off his hand is before Intermission, so have stage hands sweep away the plaster of paris pieces before ACT II.
It works well, and we got a LOT of laughs. Note: Do not use a thick layer, just enough to make a reasonably sized plate mold.
