Always thought foam was cheap until I carved a hero prop for a short film

I used to think pink foam insulation board was just for, like, model making or whatever. But for my buddy's no-budget short film in Pittsburgh last month, I needed a fake rock that looked real close up. So I grabbed a sheet of 2-inch foam from Home Depot for about $25, carved it with a hot wire I made from an old soldering iron, and hit it with some texture paint. The result actually fooled the DP during the first take until he touched it and it squished a little. That's when I learned foam can look great but it doesn't hold up to any weight or moisture on set. I ended up coating the whole thing in lightweight spackle and that fixed the feel. Has anyone else here tried sealing foam with something that doesn't crack after a day?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_rowan10d ago

That texture paint trick is genius, I had the same squish scare after my foam sword bent during a VADER cosplay shoot and I had to brace the whole thing with dowels and wood glue. For sealing, I've had good luck with Mod Podge mixed with a little acrylic paint, it dries flexible and doesn't flake off like spackle does after a couple days.

the_anthony10d ago

26 gauge wire is actually what most people use for foam cores like that, not dowels. I learned the hard way after my first lightsaber hilt went limp at a con. The dowels can crack the foam if you bend it too much. For the Mod Podge mix, try adding a drop of dish soap to your paint before mixing it in, helps it spread smoother without leaving brush lines. What kind of foam are you using for your builds, the EVA floor mats or the craft sheets?