Making books out of foam core or EPS
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3209
Printed Date: 7/30/25 at 8:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Making books out of foam core or EPS
Posted By: mary051756
Subject: Making books out of foam core or EPS
Date Posted: 5/28/08 at 5:47pm
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I need to build a bookcase - replete with books - for Bugsy Malone. Since the bookcase will have to be moved, I wanted to make the books that fill it very light - and I was thinking of maiking them out of foam core or some other lightweight material, but I can't seem to find a website on-line that has a resaonable minimum charge. Does anyone know of a differnet substance - or a cheap site?
Thanks...Mary ------------- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON |
Replies:
Posted By: George L Pettit
Date Posted: 5/28/08 at 7:02pm
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I have a website, free, where you can learn about corrugated cardboard scenery and props. Books can be made like empty boxes, with just the one side finished, or as a flat piece with paintet books or clued on mock-ups of covers, even real covers from discarded books. Some can be real, with most faxsimilies. Go to http://www.cortecscenery.com for ideas. ------------- George L Pettit, Cortec Corrugated Cardboard Scenery |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:01pm
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Since the book does not have to be opend and you are only using it to make a book shelf look full (but light weight) there are a few options. One is to get a bunch of used books that your cand rip off the binding (book cover). One project is to get a some various dark colored fabrics (black, dark blue, red). Using a a thick card board, cut two book covers and a back spine strip from the card board. Cut the fabric a little larger than the card board pieces taped together to make a "book". Spray the fabric and card board with spray glue adhesive. Lay the card board book centered on fabric pulling the edge of the fabric around the cardboard and gluing the edges. Allow to dry. You can use the foam in the middle to hold the shape or cutting notches in a strip of wood to hold the bottom of the books as in a row of books.
You can decorate the outside of the book with a gold ink pen/marker to embelish the book cover and add titles too.
Hope this helps. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: sconjott
Date Posted: 5/29/08 at 1:15am
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Styro-foam sheets or planks make great books and it's a lot less expensive that foam board. All you need is a 3 sheets of varying thickness (1/4, 1/2, & 3/4 work great) and cheap or scrap fabric, and you can fill several shelves. What you do is, cut similar dimensions of the foam sheets glue them together in whatever combination you need to make your book the desired height, depth, and thickness, then shape the spine (as in rounding it), cover with fabric, and decorate as biggertigger described above.
Another thing you can do with mine or tigger's suggestion is actually glue a series of these faux books together so you can move them with ease... they'll even stay alphabatized all on their own .
 BTW, you can round the spines several ways but the most consistant method is also the safest... sandpaper. Don't worry it's just styro-foam, it won't take long at all.
I can hear George now... "BUT styro-foam is terrible for the O-zone layer!" I know George, but, well... she was going to use foam board anyway... I just offered a cheaper method. ------------- There are NO small roles, only small actors... |
Posted By: mary051756
Date Posted: 5/29/08 at 7:52am
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George - I did find you website yesterday - but I have to tell you it was tough - the link you have listetd - for some reason - doesn't work. For any others having trouble - google Cortec Scenery and use that link to reach George's site.
Thanks to all for the ideas - they are great! ------------- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 5/29/08 at 8:36am
Hey Mary and all,
Yes George's Cardboard website for some reason doesn't work with that link. I HAD to Google it and the link I found is as follows - and this does work.......
http://www.cortecscenery.com/home/ - www.cortecscenery.com/home/
Good luck and enjoy it. It IS a VERY VERY creative and cool website.
TonyDi
------------- "Almost famous" |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:34am
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Mary ... Do the books need to be removed at all from the bookcase? If not, try what we did in college once ... paper towel/toilet paper tubes! Slice them vertically and tape/staple/glue them side by side to look like spines of the books. You can fit them snugly between the sides of the bookcase and they weigh nearly nothing. ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: George L Pettit
Date Posted: 5/29/08 at 12:50pm
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Some people have trouble bringing up CORTEC. Thanks for not giving up. It is relative new new and we are working on it. I hope the more it is accessed the easier browsers will find it. Thanks, George Pettit ------------- George L Pettit, Cortec Corrugated Cardboard Scenery |
Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 6/02/08 at 11:29pm
| We have around 8 different setups like everyone is talking about. We glued the spines of old books to foam and osed the front and back of one book for the ends. Very easy to move and setup. Best of all, the ends can fold down for flat storage. I am sure that this is obvious, but not all books will be the same height. Just thought it would be good to say even if everyone would know. |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 6/03/08 at 8:41am
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We made some book shelves a few years ago for a library scene. We wanted light weight and thin. The whole shelf was only about 4 inches deep. We bought a ton of old books at garage sales, etc (go the last day when they will deal). Then we ran the books through the ban saw and glued them to our faux bookshelf. The finished product looked fantastic. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |