Breaking Bottles, Crockery and Chairs

It is not always easy to make breakable props. If they have to be sufficiently fragile to break or come apart in the course of the action, they invariably present problems when actors have to handle them beforehand. Typical of this is a breakable chair which may have to be substantially weakened to break when smashed over the head of a performer and yet must not fall to pieces when raised in the air prior to the attack.

Bottles

Those used in fight scenes should be cast in wax. This ensures the safety of the actors and stuntmen involved. Wax bottles are made by pouring hot paraffin wax into plaster moulds. The moulds (usually two-piece) should be free of release agents and must be soaked in cold water before the casts are taken. Once the wax has been poured in it should be quickly swilled around and the mould stood upside down to drain. This process should be repeated three times. Standing the mould upside down ensures that the wax does not settle at the bottom and produce a dangerously thick base which could cause injury. Wax bottles may be varnished for added realism. Bottles may also be cast in plaster from flexible moulds. Such bottles are useful where they have to be thrown about or shot-up by gunfire. Bottles of plastic must be made in special moulds and it is often better to purchase them ready-made.

Cups, saucers and vases

These are frequently cast in shell-plaster, but even dry plaster does not always break as desired. It is often necessary to score items with a sharp knife beforehand.

Chairs and stools

These may be made from balsa wood or foamed rigid-plastic. The best of these is a variety of polyurethane which has a yellow colour not unlike that of wood. If balsa is used it should be selected for its softness. Some grades of balsa can be very hard and tough.

Nails and screws should never be used in the construction of breakables. Joints should be cemented.

If they are required for fight sequences, balsa wood chairs and stools should have their seats constructed from an assembly of thin sheets. Again, pre-scoring of the material assists the break-up.

Plaster

Items may be constructed from a mixture of plaster and sawdust – a useful material for props which have to crumble rather than break.

BREAKING BOTTLES, CROCKERY AND CHAIRS

1. Wax bottles and crockery, a, Soak plaster mould in water and drain, b, Pour in hot wax and swill, c, Invert to drain wax.

2. Balsa breakaway furniture. Use sheet wood to fabricate heavy parts.

3. Breakaway chair of plastic polyurethane foam coated thinly with plaster of paris.

4. Ornaments, statues and other breakaway items can be cast in a mixture of sawdust and plaster.