Saturday 19 May 2018

Making Movie Magic With Polyurethane Resin Casting

By Carol Wagner


Blockbusters have action scenes. An action sequence, shot and lit properly, can titillate an audience. An action sequence can even become the signature scene of a film, the moment that sticks in the minds of the audience. But those scenes need props in order to be made properly, and to make those 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.

Casting is relatively simple process. Mix two chemicals, mostly available in crafting shops or through similar websites, in a one to one ratio. Then pour the resulting mixture into a mould to shape. This must be done slowly as to avoid air bubbles. Once the mixture has been poured into the mould, all that left is to wait, usually about an hour or, depending on the chemicals used, less. Once the resin cures, that is, dries and sets, it can be pulled out of the mould. Now, a mould does not have an indefinite lifespan. Five pulls and most moulds start to fall apart. Now it can be sprayed down with a protective substance, but that only extends to lifespan to twelve or so pulls.

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.




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