Getting across quicksand video idea...

[jagfiles]

I remember around 1991 there was a revised verson of Tarzan. In one episode they had that scene where Jane fell into some quicksand. I remember in an attempt to get across it at first Tarzan tossed something across the quicksand (can't remember what it was offhand) to try to hop across it. Tarzan made it but natually Jane fell in.
This would make for a fun video for producers to try. Have two models that encounter some quicksand. In the video the two gals try to think of creative ways to try to get across the quicksand. Everyone of which ends up with them both in the quicksand of course. Like they for example they happen to have some rope with them and they toss end across to lasso something at the other side. One of two ways this could be done. One they attach the second end to something else at their end and go across that way. Or the second one gal holds their end while the other goes across. Then when the first gal gets across the holds the other end while the second gal goes across but natually they both end up in it in both situations. One thought if they tie both ends of the rope to something they both could try to go across the pit and natually the rope won't hold both of them in that situation and natually comes loose.
What other ideas can we come up with that could be used?

[Fred588]

I remember around 1991 there was a revised verson of Tarzan. In one episode they had that scene where Jane fell into some quicksand. I remember in an attempt to get across it at first Tarzan tossed something across the quicksand (can't remember what it was offhand) to try to hop across it. Tarzan made it but natually Jane fell in.
This would make for a fun video for producers to try. Have two models that encounter some quicksand. In the video the two gals try to think of creative ways to try to get across the quicksand. Everyone of which ends up with them both in the quicksand of course. Like they for example they happen to have some rope with them and they toss end across to lasso something at the other side. One of two ways this could be done. One they attach the second end to something else at their end and go across that way. Or the second one gal holds their end while the other goes across. Then when the first gal gets across the holds the other end while the second gal goes across but natually they both end up in it in both situations. One thought if they tie both ends of the rope to something they both could try to go across the pit and natually the rope won't hold both of them in that situation and natually comes loose.
What other ideas can we come up with that could be used?

We attempted this back in 2009 and it turned out to be trickier than expected. Although the things (They were pieces of wood made to look like clumps of natural material, I think) were large enough to bear weight on the peat they were tossed onto, they were not entirely able to resist sliding sideways when landed upon. This result in a hazardous situation although no one go hurt.

[PM2K]

Would there be a possibility of setting the chunks of wood/stepping stones at the side of the peat pit, then maybe sprinkling dried peat around them to make it look like they were in the center of it? That way, the stones/wood/clumps would be set on a solid base to make it safer, and the actress would then fall sideways into the pit... or would that be problematic?

The stepping clumps don't necessarily have to sit atop the pit per se.... one would just need the illusion they were.

[Fred588]

Would there be a possibility of setting the chunks of wood/stepping stones at the side of the peat pit, then maybe sprinkling dried peat around them to make it look like they were in the center of it? That way, the stones/wood/clumps would be set on a solid base to make it safer, and the actress would then fall sideways into the pit... or would that be problematic?

The stepping clumps don't necessarily have to sit atop the pit per se.... one would just need the illusion they were.

Sure that could be done. What we tried to do before was what was done in the Tarzan flick - have one character throw the objects out into position. Such tends not to be all that accurate. Now that I have more directorial experience with blocking and camera position a better job could be done of this sort of scene. It would require, to do right, several changes of camera position, and this, in turn, would be most efficient in a shoot where I had at least one and preferably two crewmen who can operate video cameras.

[Robert]

Would there be a possibility of setting the chunks of wood/stepping stones at the side of the peat pit, then maybe sprinkling dried peat around them to make it look like they were in the center of it? That way, the stones/wood/clumps would be set on a solid base to make it safer, and the actress would then fall sideways into the pit... or would that be problematic?

The stepping clumps don't necessarily have to sit atop the pit per se.... one would just need the illusion they were.

I can see what you are going for PM2K but any kind of "set" or stationary objects in or near the pit of any hard substance are a potential hazard.
Murphy's law prevails no matter what you try to do. That being said, rehearsal, experienced crew and models go a long way to minimizing any chance
of injury.

Robert

[Nessie]

I can see what you are going for PM2K but any kind of "set" or stationary objects in or near the pit of any hard substance are a potential hazard.

Inflatable pool toys?

Okay, the laugh-yourself-to-the-floor factor might overrule the drama factor if you've got, say, several inflated fish out there...but they won't break bones!

Nessie

[Fred588]

From the point of view of a producer/director, when thinking about some sort of replication of an existing scene, which is what I think we are mainly talking about here, I think the key is to try to make a judgement about exactly what is the key to the original that one wants to replicate. In this case, is it trying to get across a recognized bog by positioning and using "stepping stomes", trying to get across by hopping from solid point to solid point, a plunge entry caused by jumping and missing a target, or something else. In the case of the original scene, maybe its one character getting across easily and then the second failing due to lack of courage or something. Or maybe the second character wants to seduce the first and thus falls in with intention. Or subconscious intention. All these are possible. Once the key you want to replicate is decided, THEN think about possibilities for technical execution, and corresponding safety issues.