How is this done? John Doe shoots someone, blood apears.
- Thread starter MelonDome
- Start date
Forgive me a little chuckle. Not at you, MelonDome, but just
an old guy laughing at the fact that technology changed so
fast and guys like me (not that old really) are seen as a relic.
Blood hits have been CG for less than 5 years, yet new filmmakers
can hardly imagine it being done any other way.
Most of the blood efx is done with a small explosive called a
squib. It's placed behind a blood bag and ignited - often by
current through a hidden wire. They are still used today. For
a shot to the face, sometimes the cameras would stop, the
efx guy would apply the blood and the cameras would roll -
just like you said. Sometimes the efx guy would simply spray
blood on the actors face while the camera is rolling. You only
think you see a bullet hole. An excellent example of that is
the shotgun to the face death of Richard Chance in "To Live
and Die in L.A."
I think Moe Green getting shot in the eye was done with a
squib in the glasses.
an old guy laughing at the fact that technology changed so
fast and guys like me (not that old really) are seen as a relic.
Blood hits have been CG for less than 5 years, yet new filmmakers
can hardly imagine it being done any other way.
Most of the blood efx is done with a small explosive called a
squib. It's placed behind a blood bag and ignited - often by
current through a hidden wire. They are still used today. For
a shot to the face, sometimes the cameras would stop, the
efx guy would apply the blood and the cameras would roll -
just like you said. Sometimes the efx guy would simply spray
blood on the actors face while the camera is rolling. You only
think you see a bullet hole. An excellent example of that is
the shotgun to the face death of Richard Chance in "To Live
and Die in L.A."
I think Moe Green getting shot in the eye was done with a
squib in the glasses.
Another (and simpler) technique is to create a bullet hole with puddy, fill it with blood, then cover it with more puddy attached to a filament. Pull the filament really fast, the cap pops off and blood pours out. Instant bullet hole!
That's not necessarily simpler Beeblebrox, but it is most decidedly safer that strapping an explosive charge to an actors head. 
Given the number of requests for how to make and use squibs we see on the forum, I'm thinking this is a good way for people to be thinking -- ie: it can't be done any other way. hehe..directorik said:
There's a technique often used for this kind of thing that would work well... it tends to be used when a character throws a knife at another character, but would work equally well with a gunfight (in fact, I'm quite certain Rodriguez used it in the Desperado series quite a bit)
Essentially the way it works is you see the gun fired, or the knife thrown, or whatever.. then whip-pan to the victim, already hit beginning their fall or whatever.
Though the actual impact is never shown, the viewer will often think they saw it, just because of the way our minds fill in the blanks, etc.
There's a section on this technique in the DV Rebel's Guide
Essentially the way it works is you see the gun fired, or the knife thrown, or whatever.. then whip-pan to the victim, already hit beginning their fall or whatever.
Though the actual impact is never shown, the viewer will often think they saw it, just because of the way our minds fill in the blanks, etc.
There's a section on this technique in the DV Rebel's Guide
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Even though I have a license I often am asked to do a bullet hit
without using squibs. The method Beeble suggests works quite
well. A length of monofilament attached to a small button can be
covered by a bit of derma wax. If it’s blended well and lit right
it can look quite convincing. Depending on where on the actor
this effect is places, a small blood tube can be used, too.
Of course this monofilament/button method is much easier to do
when the hit is to the body or limbs hidden by clothing. A condom
filled with blood can be used for quite an impressive spray.
without using squibs. The method Beeble suggests works quite
well. A length of monofilament attached to a small button can be
covered by a bit of derma wax. If it’s blended well and lit right
it can look quite convincing. Depending on where on the actor
this effect is places, a small blood tube can be used, too.
Of course this monofilament/button method is much easier to do
when the hit is to the body or limbs hidden by clothing. A condom
filled with blood can be used for quite an impressive spray.