Breaking vase

[GridGirl]

Got a show coming up where a character shoots a vase with a gun, causing the vase to break. Clearly it's not an option for us to actually shoot the vase with a real bullet (much as it might make things amusing!) and we're a bit stumped as to the best way to do it. Ideally we wouldn't have to use a new vase every night, as it's a six-week run and so cost is an issue. Can't use pyro but the vase is on the table right from the start of the show so rigging something physical is possible. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Propsgirl]

Hi fellow Kiwi - is that you, Helen?!

 

We did this last year up in Auckland with a small figurine. I made a mould of the original and cast a few, then broke them and used a matching plasticine to cover the gaps. There was a hole in the botton of the figurine into which the air hose was inserted. We then used a solenoid , switch and compressor and air hose contraption to put air pressure into it which "blew apart" the figurine when the switch was activated. Worked very well, and a cheap solution. You would probably have ot cheat the vase so that it has a fake compartment in the botton, which is closed off rahter than an open top, so that the air can build up pressure.

 

Jason at Film Effects may be able to give you advice on this.

[GridGirl]

Thanks for that - the designer has come up with a better alternative and the character will shoot a ceiling rose and plaster falls out of that - much easier to achieve!