Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tracy Alexander on September 20, 2010 at 3:43pm

There are many brands that come in plastic bottles these days. If you hit them over the head with a "full" bottle you might get a realistic thunk and then the actors reactions - both the one falling and the one thankful that the bottle didn't break - would fill out the scenario.
Don't forget to "sell" a special f/x or comedic bit. Working with the actors and director to round out the action is just as important as a practical or affordable solution. The conviction of a "hit" also comes from the person weilding the weapon - not just the person getting whacked upside the head.

Permalink Reply by Tom R. Earlywine on September 20, 2010 at 4:46pm

I was given a suggestion elsewhere of breaking a record and then very lightly spot gluing it back together. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this with real glass or plastic with sharp edges. But it's an idea you might be able to pursue if you cover all your possible safety angles.

Permalink Reply by Christien Fontaine on September 20, 2010 at 4:47pm

Also true, is the fact that the bigger the bottle, the less likely it is to break over someones head.... look at how much trouble the Queen of England always managed to have when trying to break a champagne bottle accross the bow of a ship(B+W footage).

If you go this route, you can usually find bubble bath at the store that comes in a plastic champagne bottle. I forget the brand name.

If it has to break, you can cut up a plastic bottle and use rubber cement to hold it back together, and or a stick-on brand label, that will do the same thing..



Last resort..... See if a cake shop in town would be willing to trade some candy glass for an ad in the program. This is something any cake shop should be able to do for you fairly quickly

Permalink Reply by Eric Hart on September 21, 2010 at 7:48pm

Unfortunately, the cost of clear, breakable resins to make your own breakaway bottles will actually put the cost over just buying breakaway bottles. The cheapest option would be sugar glass; there are a lot of recipes online, but I haven't experimented with any. Sugar glass tends to soften under hot theatre lights, and over time they break down as well, so you need to make them continually throughout your run rather than making a bunch all at once.

Permalink Reply by e s dombrosky on September 27, 2010 at 6:43pm

The least expensive and most reliable breakaway bottles can be made by using an inflated balloon as the form and covering it with paper meche'. When dry it can be painted with a glossy paint. Works without fail. If no pre-school or kindergarten teachers are in your crowd, you can find how to make this product by going online. Good Luck