Making your own gelatine blocks can be done with the right materials. Food gelatine – the kind in supermarkets and general stores – is not really strong enough. It will make a gelatine block, but won’t stand much punishment and wear, and melts easily.
Gelatine is graded in strengths by a rating system known as it’s ‘bloom’, and the higher the number, the stronger the gelatine will be. Mouldlife SFX Gelatine is 300 bloom, which is ideally the strength needed.
The other ingredients are Sorbitol and Glycerine which are commonly used as food sweetener and sugar substitute.
This kit includes:
1. 500g Professional Grade Geletine
2. 500ml Sorbitol
3. 500ml Glycerine
Please be aware that most FX gelatine is pork based, made from collagen found in skin and bones. However, it is quite a cheap material (and reusable – just clean and remelt it) and a good value alternative to silicone for learning and low budget jobs.
Anyway, here is the video by the amazing Stuart Bray. Have fun!