How to Make Movie Glass

Making "movie glass" in sheets or shapes is relatively easy.

Have you ever seen a movie or play where broken glass flies everywhere, and wondered why no one seems to be injured? Often, filmmakers and theater companies will use a special concoction known as "movie glass" or "candy glass" to simulate breaking actual glass without the danger. It's simple to make with a few steps and a few ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store. Although the primary ingredients are sugar and corn syrup, it's not exactly edible, but it could liven up a Halloween party, an amateur movie or a play where you want a great special effect.

Things You'll Need

• Gas stove Large cooking pot Candy thermometer 2 cups water 1 quart white corn syrup 3 cups white sugar 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Nonstick cooking spray Edged cookie sheet or mold

Instructions

1. 

   Mix the common ingredients in a cooking pot.

   Mix the water, sugar, white corn syrup and cream of tartar in a large cooking pot. It may be difficult to clean off the substance, so use a pot that can be thrown away when the process is completed.

2. 

   Heating too rapidly can cause burning and yellowing.

   Slowly bring the ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly. Be sure not to heat too rapidly, as this can cause burning and yellowing of the substance.

3. 

   Monitor the temperature carefully.

   Insert the candy thermometer and monitor the mixture until it reaches the desired temperature of 300 degrees. (This may take up to an hour.) Once it reaches 300, it's ready to remove from the heat.

4. 

   Coat the mold heavily with nonstick spray.

   Spray the cookie sheet or mold with nonstick cooking spray. Coat it heavily, since the substance is extremely sticky.

5. 

   Use a cookie sheet with edges to mold the glass.

   Pour the mixture rapidly into the mold. The substance will harden quickly. Spread the mixture evenly. Some bubbles may appear, but they should disappear as the substance dries. Let the substance set for one hour or until it's hard.

6. 

   Use a hot knife to loosen the glass.

   Remove the candy glass by heating a knife under hot water, then running the edge of the knife around the edge of the substance in the mold. Alternately, you can heat the bottom of the cookie sheet to loosen the candy glass. Gently remove it from the mold.

7. 

   Refrigerate candy glass until ready to use.

   Store the sugar glass in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. If exposed to heat, it will turn sticky and flexible. When you're ready to use it, simply break it as you would regular glass.

Tips & Warnings

• The cooked mixture will be extremely hot and can easily burn. Use caution when pouring into the mold.

References

• Instructables: How to Make Sugar Glass
• Heavylux: How to Make Sugar Glass
• Making the Movie: How to Make Sugar Glass

Resources

• How to Make a Sugar Bottle Mold
• Backyard FX: Sugar Glass