Some of the biggest blockbuster movies have impressed viewers with their larger-than-life sets, special effects, make-up, costumes and props.
All these elements are part of creating the theatrical impact that goes hand-in-hand with making movies and television. The sets and props are also a major feature in creating the right setting and often transporting the viewer into faraway lands and times.
Polystyrene has long been used as an ideal material for building movie sets and television props. Being lightweight and moisture-resistant, the material is easy to transport, easy to work with and long lasting.
Fun facts about polystyrene in movies:
- Five 32-ton trucks' worth of polystyrene were needed to create all the rubble for the battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
- Many of the sets and scenes on The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded 2 were carved in polystyrene using hot wire design methods. The bulk of the Zion Temple set was built from polystyrene.
- In Night at the Museum II, polystyrene was used to create moon craters and rock sets as well as many of the larger-than-life figures that come to life when the sun goes down.
Polystyrene is ideal for oversized props such as statues and columns, as well as miniature landscapes and details.
Image credit: http://resilientlittlemuscle.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-2.html
