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Spent a full month trying to make a book that wouldn't fall apart on camera
We needed a prop book that an actor could throw across a room for a scene. I figured a hollowed-out real book with a light cover would work, but it kept breaking at the spine after two takes. I tried three different glues and even a thin metal strip inside, but nothing held. The director wanted it to look heavy but be light, which made it worse. After about 30 tries over four weeks, I ended up building a whole new cover from foam board and book cloth, which finally lasted. Has anyone else had a simple prop turn into a month-long build?
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ivan2113mo ago
Sounds like you overcomplicated it from the start. A hollowed book with a good binding glue should have worked fine for a few throws.
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seth_green852mo ago
Read in a forum post that some folks use old telephone books for this because the paper is already soft and crumbly, makes it easier to hollow out without ruining the spine.
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mason2833mo ago
Ever try throwing a hollowed book?
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