Thursday, May 17, 2018

Making Movie Magic With Polyurethane Resin Casting

By Carol Wagner


Action movies contain fight scenes. Scenes in which two characters or armies square off. Scenes in which blood is spilled, guns are shot, and swords are swung. But those guns and swords also have to be carried by the actors during the scenes in which there is no fictional combat going on. To make such props, polyurethane resin casting California is done.

The procedure of polyurethane resin casting is how some props get made. There are other uses for it, like making figurines. But by and large, it is the method through which props for productions are made.

The process itself is simple enough. First, mix two chemicals together in an even, one to one ratio, to make the actual resin. Then pour the resulting mixture into a mould. Wait for the mixture to cure, that can take anywhere between twenty five to sixty minutes or even beyond, it depends on the chemicals used in the mixture. Once the resin has cured, all that is left is for it to be pulled out of the mould. Fair warning, too many pulls and a mould will start to break down, it varies but usually falls at five. Protective spray may double the lifespan, but ruination is inevitable.

All that is required for the process is the space to work and the materials which are easily available either online or through a brick and mortar arts and crafts store. The simplicity of the process means that basically anyone can do it. But a certain state will have a higher number of practitioners than others, particularly if there is a thriving entertainment industry in the state that requires props for all sorts of productions.

Sculptures can be made through such a process. The trick is the mould. The mould has to be made in the desired shape before the resin is poured in.

The spectacle of a film necessitates false weaponry. In science fiction, this weaponry can be something as simple as a toy gun from a department store given a coat of paint to make it look more tactical. In a fantasy setting, blunted swords are usually employed. But in a modern, real world setting, modern guns are used. But modern guns are heavy, and while they have to be used in some scenes, in others, they can be switched out for a lighter resin replica to make it easier on the actors.

But onscreen weapons are not all that is made with the process. The costumes, or at least pieces, can be made through casting as well, especially for armor. In real life, armor is heavy, weighing between eighty to a hundred pounds. Since actors will not be going into actual combat, actual armor is not necessary, so prop armor can be substituted.

The props made for movies can fetch quite the price from fans on the market. A collectible made by the same studio that made the stuff onscreen can fetch hundred. One that has been used onscreen in the actual production can fetch thousands.

Special effects are well and good, but the practical materials used by the actors can have just as much of an effect as any computer generated imagery. A good builder can have the same impact on a production as any digital artist.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment