Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol is often used as a prop in movies to incite dramatic or comedic situations. However, the consumption of alcohol on set is rare. Instead, non-alcoholic beverages are used in place of alcohol, such as flat or sparkling water with colour dyes for mixed drinks, juice for wine, and non-alcoholic beer. In some cases, diluted black tea is used for whiskey, scotch, and Manhattans. To maintain the illusion of authenticity, specialised movie prop companies create non-alcoholic beverages that mimic the appearance and taste of alcoholic drinks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why alcohol is not used | To avoid the effects of alcohol, especially during scenes that require multiple takes. |
| Why decanters are used | To avoid the licensing and legal issues that would arise from using an actual branded alcohol. |
| Certain countries have laws against advertising alcohol. | |
| To avoid liability issues and lawsuits around alcohol placement. | |
| To prevent the audience from being influenced by alcohol promotion. | |
| What is used instead | Non-alcoholic beer |
| Water for vodka, gin, and martinis | |
| Diluted black tea for whiskey, scotch, and Manhattans | |
| Grape juice for wine | |
| Color dyes in flat or sparkling water for mixed drinks and cocktails | |
| Non-melting ice cubes made of acrylic, glass, rubber, or silicone |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol replacements
Alcohol is often used as a prop in movies, with alcohol marketing in popular films doubling in the past two decades. However, the consumption of alcohol on set is rare, and actors rarely drink while on the job due to health and safety, insurance, and liability concerns. Instead, various "fake drink" options are used, depending on the type of alcohol the beverage needs to mimic.
One common alcohol replacement is juice for wine. For example, diluted grape juice was previously used, as it tended to bubble when poured and looked similar to wine. Cranberry, apple, pomegranate, blueberry, and blackcurrant juices can also be used as wine replacements. Water with colour dyes can be used for mixed drinks and cocktails.
For whiskey and other brown liquors, unsweetened tea can be steeped for various durations or watered down to achieve the desired colour. Diluted black tea can also be used for Scotch and Manhattans.
Non-alcoholic beer is used in place of regular beer, and froth for the top of the beer can be made using powdered egg whites and an acid like lemon juice.
Specialised movie prop companies create non-alcoholic beverages designed to mimic alcoholic drinks in both appearance and taste. These beverages are crafted to look genuine while ensuring the actors remain sober and maintain their performance throughout filming.
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Advertising and legal issues
Alcohol is a common feature in movies, often used as a prop to incite dramatic or comedic situations. Alcohol use was portrayed in 87% of the top 100 movies each year from 1996 to 2015, and 52% of these movies contained at least one alcohol brand appearance. This has doubled in the past two decades, with alcohol marketing in films becoming more prevalent.
The alcohol industry spends a lot of money on product placement in films, including those commonly viewed by teenagers. This can be a concern for parents and healthcare professionals, as exposure to alcohol cues in movies has been linked to adolescent alcohol use. It can also promote a normative view of alcohol consumption, reducing the perception of harm associated with it.
To avoid legal issues and lawsuits, the drinks industry has introduced self-regulation. For example, the guidelines state that if an alcohol brand is promoted in a movie, at least 70% of the audience must be of legal drinking age, and the film should only portray responsible drinking. However, these guidelines are not legislation but self-imposed rules.
To further distance themselves from liability, filmmakers may use decanters or obscure the label on the bottle. In some cases, a fictitious brand name and label may be used, or the label may be partially covered by an actor's hand. This way, there is no actual product being advertised, and the film avoids running afoul of advertising regulations.
In addition, actors rarely consume real alcohol on set due to health and safety concerns, insurance issues, and liability. Instead, various "fake drink" options are used, such as coloured dyes in water, juice for wine, and non-alcoholic beer.
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Decanters and aeration
Aeration, on the other hand, is a faster method of oxygenating wine. Wine aerators are small devices attached to or inserted into the bottle's neck, or held in the hand. They infuse air into the wine as it passes through the aerator, increasing oxygen exposure. Aeration is often used for younger, fuller-bodied wines with higher tannin levels, as it softens the tannins and enhances the wine's bouquet. However, it may not be suitable for older wines or champagne, as it can flatten the bubbles.
In movies, decanters are sometimes used instead of branded alcohol bottles due to advertising laws or to create a specific aesthetic. The liquids in these decanters are typically non-alcoholic substitutes, such as coloured dyes in water, juices, tea, or non-alcoholic beer. These fake drinks are crafted by prop masters to look and function like their alcoholic counterparts on screen.
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Non-alcoholic beer
Alcohol is often used as a prop in movies to incite dramatic or comedic situations. However, the consumption of alcohol on set is rare due to health and safety concerns, insurance and liability issues, and the need for actors to maintain their composure and performance levels. As a result, non-alcoholic beer is commonly used in movies to mimic the appearance and taste of real beer.
In addition to non-alcoholic beer, other substitutes are used for different types of alcohol. Coloured water, juice, or tea can be used for wine or whiskey, depending on the desired colour and consistency. For example, diluted black tea can be used for whiskey, Scotch, and Manhattans, while grape juice can be used for wine.
The use of non-alcoholic beer and other fake drinks in movies is an intricate art that requires precision and imagination. Prop masters must create beverages that look and taste authentic while being non-alcoholic. This involves matching the specific colour and characteristics of the drink, such as foam or fizz, to maintain the authenticity of the scene.
While non-alcoholic beer is commonly used in movies, it is important to note that alcohol marketing in popular films has doubled in the past two decades. This may be due to the lack of film restrictions on the alcohol industry, allowing alcohol to be frequently used as a prop without the same concerns as tobacco product placement.
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Health and safety
The consumption of alcohol by actors on film sets is discouraged due to health and safety concerns, insurance and liability issues, and the potential impact on an actor's performance. Instead, non-alcoholic beverages are used as props, with the props department responsible for creating or purchasing suitable alternatives. These fake drinks are designed to closely resemble their alcoholic counterparts in appearance and, sometimes, taste, to maintain the authenticity of the scene.
To ensure the health and safety of actors, non-alcoholic alternatives are prioritised. Water can be used in place of vodka, gin, or martinis, while diluted black tea can mimic whiskey, Scotch, or Manhattans. Non-alcoholic beer is utilised for scenes requiring the pouring and drinking of beer, maintaining the actor's composure without the effects of alcohol. For cocktails, colour dyes can be added to flat or sparkling water, and fruit wedges can be used as garnishes.
For wine, diluted grape juice was traditionally used, but now, with the availability of non-alcoholic alternatives, actors can sip booze-free wine without the need for substitutions. Unsweetened tea, steeped for different durations or diluted, can replicate the colour of whiskey and other brown liquors. For beer, froth can be created using powdered egg whites and an acid like lemon juice.
In addition to health and safety, the use of non-alcoholic beverages on film sets is also a legal consideration. To avoid liability issues and potential lawsuits, the drinks industry has introduced self-regulation to distance itself from promoting excessive alcohol consumption. Certain countries also have laws against advertising alcohol, making it easier to use decanters or non-branded bottles on screen.
The choice of substitute depends on the scene's requirements, the director's vision, and the need to balance authenticity with the actor's well-being. While non-alcoholic alternatives are favoured, some actors have consumed alcoholic beverages in specific scenes or for particular effects. For instance, in the film "I Love Lucy," Lucille Ball was directed to drink a liquid supplement containing 23% alcohol, unbeknownst to her, for comedic effect.
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Frequently asked questions
Water can be used for vodka, gin, and martinis. Diluted black tea can be used for whiskey, scotch, and Manhattans. Non-alcoholic beer is used for regular beer.
The consumption of alcohol on set is rare due to health and safety concerns, insurance and liability issues, and to maintain the actor's performance level.
Heisler Beer is a fictional brand of non-alcoholic beer used in movies like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine".
Certain countries have laws against advertising alcohol, so it's easier to use a decanter than risk issues by showing branded alcohol. Decanting was also traditionally used for drinks that might contain sediment or need to "breathe" before serving.
