A Frosted Window Pane
The Problem: Your scene takes place in the winter when the windows are covered with frost, but you're filming in the studio under bright lights. The Solution: A solution! An Epsom salts solution, that is.
- You will need: Epsom salts, a plastic foam cup, hot tap water, a spoon, a small paintbrush, and dark construction paper.
- Pour some Epsom salts out of the box and look at them closely. Study their shape.
- Fill the cup half full with hot water.
- Stir in Epsom salts until they dissolve and you can see a layer of salt collecting at the bottom of the cup.
- Dip your brush into the top half of the cup and paint the solution onto the construction paper. What happens as it dries?
- Compare the shape of your "frost" to the salts you poured out of the box.
- Why might the window pane effects created with Epsom salts work better for the movies than real frost?
- Your simulated frost is actually made of crystals. How would you explain how the crystals are formed? What do you think crystals are?
Curious for an answer? Look Behind the Scenes.
Special Effects Home | All About Special Effects
Theater Release Dates | Behind the Scenes