UK NEWS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ... A RUSTLE FREE CRISP BAG

Friday May 11,2007

By Ross Parry

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That hugely annoying rustling noise in the cinema could become a thing of the past – thanks to the silent crisp packet.

It means you might never miss the film’s crucial line again, although scientists are only in the early stages of making the product.

The idea is to create a rustle-free bag specifically for use as a TV prop. But if the move is successful, the product could soon be gracing the confectionery stands in cinemas and theatres nationwide. The snack manufactured by Yorkshire food giant Seabrook Crisps is already appearing in pub scenes on soap favourites such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.

But the noise from the current packets is giving sound crews a headache. They have demanded something is done to stop filming being ruined. Jane Wordsall of the Bradford-based firm said: “The crisps are on sale behind the bars in soaps to make it look more realistic, so the product needs to look real.

This is a grand idea. It’s really annoying when the extras rustle bags off camera, but we can’t blame them really

Emmerdale's sound operator Boe Mason

“The idea to stop our bags from rustling came from conversations with TV crews and product placement companies.

And to achieve the new silent bags, a blend of light-grade polypropylene plastic compound is currently in development.”
Ms Wordsall said the degradable formula was similar in both texture and weight to plastic freezer and sandwich bags.

The material is also used to waterproof military uniforms in America.

Emmerdale’s sound boom operator Boe Mason welcomed the move.

He said: “This is a grand idea. It’s really annoying when the extras rustle bags off camera, but we can’t blame them really. Who wouldn’t want to sit around in the Woolpack and enjoy free crisps?”

Total costs of the new bags are not yet known, but Seabrook is already in talks with various manufacturers and is receiving support from the soap world.

Ms Wordsall added: “If this does prove a success, we will develop silent packs for use in places such as theatres and cinemas, so watch this space.”

Sounds perfect...now all inventors have to do is work out how to make the crisps themselves noiseless when they are being eaten.