What do you think of when you think of cork? Probably opening a bottle of wine or popping the cork off a bottle of champagne. Maybe you think of the bulletin board hanging in your office. Some of you will even think of cork flooring. These are all great uses for cork, of course, but have you ever thought of how cork is used in film and theater?
Cork, an exceptionally versatile material, has firmly established itself in the film and theater industry, enriching productions in many creative ways. Not only is cork practical to work with due to its innate properties, but it is also visually appealing. Some of the many uses of cork in this industry include:
1. Soundproofing & Acoustics: Cork, installed on walls and ceilings, naturally helps with the acoustics in rooms. In film and theater, this benefit helps keep the dialogue and audio clear and easily heard.
Cork tiles and panels help absorb echoes and reverberations during live productions and filming.
Cork tiles and panels help reduce unwanted noise during filming.
2. Set Design: Cork, being a natural material with amazing texture, allows for realistic set designs as it can mimic various surfaces. Think trees, roots, stone or other object surfaces. This can be important in theater as the sets often need to be moveable, so lightweight is extra important. Ground up cork (cork grain) is also used to replicate dirt or sand - again, lightweight and easy to sweep up - plus it's a lot cleaner than actual sand or dirt. Cork flooring used on sets provides a comfortable, forgiving surface for performers and actors but it also can add atmosphere to the set design.
3. Props & Special Effects: The possibilities for props and special effects are endless.
Ranging from a cork in a bottle to expanded cork sheets appearing as rocks to cork rolls being blown to pieces to appear as shrapnel or flying debris.
Expanded granulated cork simulates debris from falling buildings or explosions.
Chunks of expanded cork serve as rocks, including volcanic rocks.
Cork grain emulates dirt when covering someone or something.
Cork dust and small cork grain appear when something “explodes” or when a special effect bullet creates an impact.
4. Costumes and Outfits: Again, being lightweight and easy to carve and work with, cork is used for headpieces such as crowns or jewelry and even masks.
As sustainability becomes more critical and most industries are moving towards eco-friendly practices, the use of cork just makes sense. This 100% renewable resource is harvested from cork oak trees time and time again without harming the tree all while contributing to biodiversity and continuing to sequester carbon.
This touches on only a few of the many uses and benefits of using cork in the movie and theater industry - the uses of cork really are endless.
This cork lamp base is a prop in a scene in ‘Mad Men’.
On the set of ‘Grown-ish’. Cork grain is the “sand” on this beach.
Photo shoot with cork which is used to add texture and style to the scene. The dark cork partitions also help with acoustics.