Hey everyone! I've got a theater project where I'm directing a water ballet rendition of The Shining, and I'm looking for some creative advice on building a breakaway door for the iconic "Here's Johnny!" scene. I need a door that convincingly shatters when the actor swings an axe, but it's crucial that it's safe for the performer and the dancers in the water. We're doing this for 8 shows, so I'd prefer to only replace the breakaway panel nightly and not the entire door. I first thought about using balsa wood, but I'm open to better material suggestions that can repeatedly create that satisfying splintering effect without creating hazards for those barefoot around it. Any tips on materials, techniques, or workarounds would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
For your breakaway door, consider starting with a hollow core door. You can cut a hole for a panel to slide in and out, allowing you to hang the door and replace just that part every night. For the breakaway panel, pre-scored cardboard can give a convincing look and stay safe for barefoot performers. You might also try book binding board or foam board — both can be cut to mimic splintered wood effectively. And don't forget to enhance the scene with sound effects or a secondary door backstage for added impact!
Make sure whatever you use is pre-broken. Using something like sticky tack to hold the pieces together can help them pop off safely when hit. Just make sure it's painted so it’s less noticeable!
Styrofoam painted like wood could totally work! It’s lightweight and if you get the right kind, it should shatter nicely on impact.
We encountered something similar a while back. For a scene where a chair had to fit through a door every night, we used a reciprocating saw to cut a hole, taped the pieces back, and painted over them. It worked well without being noticeable from the audience. You might need a creative approach for visibility with each axe swing, but it could definitely be doable!
I’d recommend using 1/8" plywood as it will break convincingly but isn’t too heavy. Just ensure the actor knows how to swing safely!
Sounds like a solid plan! Relying on sound effects will really sell the moment too.