History Main / StyrofoamRocks

* In the ParodyFic ''Plan 7 of 9 from Outer Space'', [[Film/TheAdventuresOfCaptainProton Captain Proton]] denies the Space Patrol is trying to exploit Planet X because it's just a rock. "Styrofoam rock admittedly, but still a rock!"

* ''Film/TwentyOneBridges'': The robbers are explicitly said to be stealing 110 lbs of cocaine. Divided into four tote bags, each bag would weight 27.5 lbs. When Taylor Kitsch's characters pulls his bags out of the car, however, they swing from the straps in his hands without any inertia, revealing that the props are almost weightless.

* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Ethics", [[TheWorfEffect Worf's]] spine is broken when a cargo container falls on him. It seems almost humourous, since the way it falls and bounces indicates that it's so light it wouldn't even hurt a human, let alone a big sturdy Klingon. Likewise in "The Perfect Mate", a Ferengi 'struggles' to lift a similar container that is clearly empty.

This trope is a kind of SpecialEffectsFailure when light objects are meant to portray other types of heavy material but fail to realistically convey the weight of the material. As the trope name suggests, this often results when fake rocks are made of styrofoam and consequently look too light to be made of stone.

The way that actors handle props can also betray their true weight. Many props are intentionally created to be lighter for convenience. If an actor needs to move an object around quickly, precisely or without obvious effort, lighter props make it easier. Handling or carrying heavy objects over the course of a performance can also wear the actors out, so lighter props preserve their stamina.

It's very common for containers to be empty of their contents simply because it's not visible to the audience. Why bother refilling an actor's coffee cup when he can just pretend to drink from it? But when the actor handles the cup, he can't help but betray that it's too light to be full of coffee.

The way that actors handle props can also betray their true weight. Many props are intentionally created to be lighter for convenience. If an actor needs to move an object around quickly, precisely or without obvious effort, lighter props make it easier. Handling heavy objects over the course of a performance can also wear the actors out, so lighter props preserve their stamina.

The way that actors handle overly light props can also betray their true weight. Many props are intentionally created to be lighter for convenience. If an actor needs to move an object around quickly, precisely or without obvious effort, lighter props make it easier. Handling heavy objects over the course of a performance can also wear the actors out, so lighter props preserve their stamina.

AliceAndBob are on an epic adventure to find a treasure buried deep underground. They are making their way through a maze of tunnels, with only a flashlight and an ancient treasure map keeping them from getting lost. But oh no! The villain sets off a bomb and the ground starts shaking under the heroes' feet! The ancient tunnels aren't built sturdily enough to take the tremors and the walls crumble around them!

Except the rocks sort of... ''bounce'' when they hit the ground...

When shooting in a studio, you can't just bring in a truckload of rocks and drop them on the actors. Wood won't work either - what if somebody is injured? The rocks could of course be done with CGI, but that would be costly, and be very difficult for the actors to, well, act with.

What do we have left? Styrofoam!

This trope is a kind of SpecialEffectsFailure and is applicable in situations where light objects, such as Styrofoam, are meant to portray rocks, bricks or any other heavy material in a dramatic fashion, but fails to [[{{Pun}} lend any weight]] to the seriousness of the situation.

* A common staple for ''PowerRangers''.

->''"Ngombi struggles to lift a huge styrofoam rock."''

* In the climax of ''OurManFlint'', one of Flint's fleeing girlfriends is hit by a styrofoam "boulder" and it bounces right off.

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. "Hostage" has a hilarious scene where [[TheDragon Travis]] and his two hired thugs flee in terror from an ambush involving rolling rocks that bounce across their bodies without squashing them. You'd think as they were in a BBCQuarry Blake and his team could find some genuine rocks.

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. "Hostage" has a hilarious scene where [[TheDragon Travis]] and his two hired thugs flee in terror from huge rocks that bounce across their bodies without squashing them. You'd think as they were in a BBCQuarry Blake and his team could find some genuine rocks.

* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000: {{Gamera}} vs. Guiron''. When a building collapses on the kid heroes, the SOL crew point out how little it looks like bricks.

* {{Nickelodeon}}'s ''Series/LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple'' and ''[[Series/NickelodeonGuts Guts]]'' were made of this trope. They were {{game show}}s for children, so it would have been disturbing if the effect were more convincing.

* {{Nickelodeon}}'s ''Series/LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple'' and ''[[NickelodeonGuts Guts]]'' were made of this trope. They were {{game show}}s for children, so it would have been disturbing if the effect were more convincing.

* The boxes thrown between Bond and terrorists in ''WebVideo/DiamondsCut'' are obviously empty and wouldn�t hurt anyone, especially when both Bond and terrorists have guns.

[[AC:FanWorks]]
* The boxes thrown between Bond and terrorists in ''WebVideo/DiamondsCut'' are obviously empty and wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially when both Bond and terrorists have guns.

[[AC:Film]]

[[AC:Live Action Television]]

* In ''Series/ElChapulinColorado'', it's not only rocks but literally '''everything'''. El Chapulín hits an enemy with a chair, and you can actually see the styrofoam right there.

[[AC:Theme Parks]]
* The pre-shows for the two former [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal Studios Florida]] attractions, ''Ride/EarthquakeTheBigOne'' and ''Ride/{{Disaster}}'', had Styrofoam rocks being used as a way of demonstrating the many different special effects used in movies.

[[AC:Western Animation]]
* Played with on ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''; When they are constructing their life-sized replica of Niagra Falls, Ferb (on the ground) picks up a boulder and throws it all the way to the top of the structure. Phineas says that [[LampshadeHanging even though he knew that that was papier-mâché]], the throw was ''still'' very impressive.

->''Ngombi struggles to lift a huge styrofoam rock.''
-->-- Stage directions for ''Jungle Juice'', a play by Judith Prior.

* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Ethics", [[TheWorfEffect Worf's]] spine is broken when a cargo container falls on him. It seems almost humourous, since the way it falls and bounces indicates that it's so light it wouldn't even hurt a human, let alone a big sturdy Klingon.

* Falling rocks at the end of ''The Terror'' start floating on the water.