Plates that you can bust over heads

[I J Walton]

Howdy peeps. My latest project requires a slapstick fight in a resturant, so you guessed it, a lot of plates will get smashed.

My question is; does anyone know how to make plates that break easily without harming actors (kind of like shugar glass but for plates)? I cant find any info on the net.

Thanks
Ian.

[Grant]

well buy thin plates from a bargian shop and hit on the top of the actors head and they should easily smash

[UFProductions]

Paint some sugar glass plates.

[Adam]

Go to greek restaurant they smash plates, they might even let you film there

[Father_McGrueder]

Unfired pottery. Greenware, I believe it's called.

[I J Walton]

Thanks for the replies guys. "unfired pottery" i've heared of this method, I will look into it, thanks.

[ipon70]

Bleh, just hit them with a real plate. Tell them not to be such a baby, and the glass will come out of their head eventually.. :bonk:

[Grant]

yes square on the top of the forehead(popular weapon of a headbutter) and avoid the face

[wildabeast009]

I wouldn't try breaking it over thier head for as desribed above, unless you are trained to do it, simply because, if it is not done right it could cause serious damage to the actor/stuntman, especially to the eyes. I would suggest to "pre-break" the plates and glue them back together with wood glue. I haven't tried this yet, but it should work. Still, it could hurt the actor, but it wouldn't require as much force to break the plate. There might not be as many shards also.

[ColdSteel]

Hey, im new to the forum but have been reading it for years...anyway to cut to the chase i would buy drywall plaster (i suppose plaster of paris might work too). mix it up with the right amount of water (the consistency of peanut butter) and then add baking soda to it. im not sure of the ratio so u'll have to experiment but it makes it have tiny air bubbles that make it weak. then put it in a mold for a plate. ive tried it before to make chunks break apart but im not sure how it'll work as a plate. Good Luck!

[UFProductions]

Welcome to the forum, sounds like a pretty good idea, but the baking soda might not be necessary, plaster of paris is pretty weak, especially if it's only a plate sized thickness.

[Vor]

if you mix the right amount of flour and water till its kinda water and kinda think and then i guess you can just poor it on the concrete or make molds like pancakes and when they are done paint it with a nice gloss and it should break easily....

[Epsilon]

I wouldn't try breaking it over thier head for as desribed above, unless you are trained to do it, simply because, if it is not done right it could cause serious damage...

Most experts in this area are often seriously injured. Especially crushing hard objects atop the noggin sometimes results with a concussion.

[Theshapecool]

Unfired pottery is the best method, most safest too, Looking for 'thin plates' is rediculous and can be very dangerous, Greenware is indeed what you need, thats what the use for break away props that are non glass in films nowadays. Look great, and for vases you can paint and varnish them easily. Aslong as you have some good sound effects, your away. Sugarglass will work fine aswell, aslong as its heavily painted.