easy breakable furniture

easy breakable furniture-Cinematography and lighting


 





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Author Topic:   easy breakable furniture
hpviper27
posted 02-24-2001 12:04 AM              
what would this be made of? like on jerry springer or in movies when a guy breaks a chair over a guys head

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Jack the Ripper
posted 02-24-2001 12:14 AM              
Probably balsa wood. but it is so brittle it would probably not be able to sit in it. I think jerry springer stuff might be real though. hope this helps.

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Felix
posted 02-24-2001 12:24 AM              
Yeah, Balsa Wood can't be sat on, but can be broken and shaped very easily.

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I once had 509 posts...but now I don't.

bobka4
posted 02-24-2001 12:28 AM              
Don't forget about scoring (sawing it a little so it breaks easier). That's a popular technique.

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Variety is the very spice of life.

hpviper27
posted 02-24-2001 12:40 AM              
scoring-whats that?

Movieman21
posted 02-24-2001 12:59 AM              
If you want, email me with EXACTLY what furniture you will need to break, and how. I will be glad to give you a rundown. I have built many breakaway sets, props, etc.. for theatrical productions, as well as movies. I will be glad to help.

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Felix
posted 02-24-2001 01:10 AM              
quote:
Originally posted by hpviper27:
scoring-whats that?

quote:
Originally posted by bobka4:
Don't forget about scoring (sawing it a little so it breaks easier).


<Sigh>, as he said...

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I once had 509 posts...but now I don't.

cdolsen
posted 02-24-2001 09:31 AM              
if the furnature is to be broken, other than by hitting someone, ie - an actor falls onto it, then cut the real piece of furnature all the way through, then reattach the pieces with hinges. this will allow the piece to be used more than once.

Sam
posted 02-24-2001 01:15 PM              
quote:
Originally posted by hpviper27:
scoring-whats that?

basically what bobka4 said, but a bit more detailed:

It's when you cut a piece of wood where you want it to break, and in the same shape as you want it to break if you want. You just cut the surface (not all the way through - just a little) and then that will make it the weakest part of the material, so when you hit someone on the head with it, or whatever you want to hit, it breaks easily, and where you want it to break.

It's often used when blowing up miniatures - they usually won't break like a real building would, so they score it in areas, so that when the explosion happens, those areas break easily and it looks more realistic.

Also used in bar fights, etc...where people get hit with stuff, etc...

Jeff F
posted 02-24-2001 08:36 PM              
A popular technique is to cut off sections of the prop that you want to be "break away" and rteattach them with matchsticks or toothpicks, making them very easy to break.

Place your actor on an identical chair, have him leap up and lift the chair, then cut to him swinging the break away prop.

Always carefully test any stunt (with or without props in it) before doing it and have your actor practice it over and over and over at reduced speed until they are know it inside and out and can work up to performing at full speed.

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