Collapsing Roof/ Debris

N

N3D

Active member
I have a scene where a young man in a wheelchair is directly under a trembling roof in a cottage house. There is an earthquake and bam, parts of the roof falls onto him. Now we don't literally need to see him getting smashed under the pile of debris.

But really i want to know how to create the special effect. Some debris falling. I don't want to show a 'hole' in the roof but just enough debris/ wood/ planks/ dust to sell the effect.

I've searched YouTube and on Google for DIY solutions but cant find nothing. I'd also like to know how much it would roughly cost.

Thank you for any help.

Ned.
 
Hollow balsa wood 'beams' and foam polystyrene, pre-broken into debris shapes, plus lots of dust. Light enough not to hurt anyone underneath, and will still make a convincing mess.
 
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You can also paint some plain cardboard with wood glue to make it more rigid and give it a bit of extra weight.
 
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I would rig a box with debris (foam beams, pieces of plaster board and fuller's earth for dust) overhead and dump it. You can build a box with trap door and a spring release, or just use a cardboard box, and tilt it for the drop. I'd do one shot of the falling debris, possibly hitting the actor, maybe cut to the broken ceiling, then cut to the actor covered in debris (placed by hand).
 
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Wow so i was kind of on the right track. Awesome guys. I'm going to do some research on what you all have said.

Also the character supposedly gets hit but the debris, in reality he teleports just before he gets smashed. But we dont see him teleport so hopefully that will make the audience think he got whacked lol.
 
Balsa wood beems and foam will be expensive and it won't fall as fast as real wood. It won't look realistic.

I would shoot real beams and debris falling in front of a green screen and then superimpose the image over your talent in post. It will be both cheaper and more realistic. Pay attention that the lighting is the same in both shots.
 
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