Paper Mache Breakage!

[LightningFilms]

Does anyone know what the natural effect of a paper mache vase would be if it were bashed over somebody's head?

If it would just crumble, anyway to make it shatter?

Scene in a nutshell:
- Actor enters kitchen, girl smashes vase over his head, shattering it everywhere and taking him to the ground.

 

[DevonKrain]

It could do anything from hurt the actor to smoosh to absolutley nothing but bounce off. One thing it would not do is shatter like glass.

 

[LightningFilms]

interesting. any suggestion for a vase "stand-in"?

 

[maverickstunts]

Candy glass, but would probably cost a few bucks ($30?)

 

[LightningFilms]

thanks Mav - comin thru in the clutch yet again!

where can I find this candy glass? would need it by next sunday 1/27

 

[maverickstunts]

You should have special fx houses in and around NJ, New York area. Do a search on Production Hub
http://www.productionhub.com/directory/listings.asp?section_id=4&cat_id=75&state_id=3183
A few phone calls should help you out.

 

[Darth_Fluffy]

Unfired clay

Unfired clay

I work as a Props Master and for smashing a vase or a plate, I go to a pottery shop and buy unfired clay items, paint them , and voila, very fragile breakawy items. They can sometime disintegrate in a bit of a powdery mess, but you can score the inside of the vase to have it break along those lines. You can also order these made with a very thin layer of this clay so it won't hurt ...much...when smashed over someones head.

Hope this helps.

-Geoff

 

[maverickstunts]

I work as a Props Master and for smashing a vase or a plate, I go to a pottery shop and buy unfired clay items, paint them , and voila, very fragile breakawy items. They can sometime disintegrate in a bit of a powdery mess, but you can score the inside of the vase to have it break along those lines. You can also order these made with a very thin layer of this clay so it won't hurt ...much...when smashed over someones head.

Hope this helps.

-Geoff

I think that this will work, but instead of using the head, I might try to do an angle that allows you to hit the person on the shoulders while it looks like it hit their head. Hospital trips are no fun....