Bullet hit squib

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Demonstration of bullet hit squibs embedded in a The North Face waterproof down jacket. A burst of fake blood first sprays out accompanied by a puff of smoke (left), followed by a laminar stream of blood flowing out the hole (right). Each squib contains 25 g of fake blood.

A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a practical, pyrotechnic special effect device used in the film industry, theatre productions[1] and first responder moulage training to simulate a wound spurting blood from a bullet impact.[2][3][4] Even if the portrayal is not necessarily accurate or is exaggerated compared to real-life[5] (in the example of the main figure, blood spews out of a thick coat while emitting smoke), filmmakers and the audience have become accustomed to associating this aesthetic with a gunshot wound.

A bullet squib device comprises a squib (a small, firecracker-like explosive), an electric match, a small pack of simulant (most commonly fake blood), a protective plate and some padding attached to the costume of an actor. The blood squib device is then connected to a battery, a wired/wireless remote, which can be triggered by the actor or a crew member, creating the visual effect of a gunshot wound.

Bullet hit squib preparation[]

A typical build of a bullet hit squib device filled with approx. 25 g of fake blood contained in a plastic pouch, secured onto a base with duct tape, with the squib wiring connecting to a power source (out of frame).
A typical build of a bullet hit squib device filled with approx. 25 g of fake blood contained in a plastic pouch, secured onto a base with duct tape with a window allowing the blood to burst through the plastic film. The wires connect to a power source (out of frame).

To achieve the practical special effect, a special effects technician builds "blood squib" or "blood pack" devices for the required scene and its dress rehearsal, while a costumer prepares several identical outfits in advance, typically at least three depending on the budget[6] and sometimes it can be as many as six sets.[7] These clothing with bullet holes worn by such actors are called "dead character" costumes.[8] The time taken, personnel costs and materials for resets can therefore be costly for independent/low budget filmmakers.

Blood squib device[]

To build the blood squib device, a small balloon, packet or condom is filled with a desired simulant, which is coupled to the squib and a concave-shaped metal protective plate roughly the size of a coin and padding.[9][7] The entire build may be attached onto a baseplate additionally for more rigidity and safety, and taped down using duct tape, leaving a small window open where the blood can burst through the path of least resistance - the plastic packet. Wet simulants such as fake blood, non-staining varieties like water[10] (for rehearsals), glycerine[11] (for night time shoots) or dry simulants like dust,[12] down feathers[13][14] (for the desired stylistic gunshot effect on a down jacket as the outfit worn by the actor) are employed. The size and weight of the entire bullet hit squib setup is in the order of ~50–75 mm/2-3" in diameter, ~15-25 mm/2/3"-1" thick, weighing ~30-50g.

The squib itself is typically 0.5–1.0 grain/0.03–0.06 g of a flat disc-shaped encapsulated explosives (by comparison, a party popper is ~0.25 grain/~0.015 g while a small firecracker from a chain is ~2.3 grain/~0.15 g), suitable for approximately 10–30 ml (0.3–1.0 fl. oz.) of fake blood, simulating an entry or an exit wound respectively.[15] It also depends on whether the fake blood will soak the fabric. The bottom half of the blood packet is aligned to the squib so that ideally, a puff of red mist bursts out, followed by a stream of fake blood flowing out completely upon activation as shown in the main figure.[16]

Dead character costumes[]

An actor is wearing a jacket as the dead-character costume with a squib embedded in the chest pocket, which can be carefully seen as a circular bulge beneath the fabric. The fabric is pre-scored in a + shape.
An actor is wearing a jacket as the dead-character costume with a squib embedded in the left chest pocket, which can be carefully seen as a circular bulge beneath the fabric. The fabric is pre-scored in a + shape.
Main article: Dead-character costume

Bullet hit squib devices are typically concealed beneath the wardrobe and not done on bare skin. These stage clothes are dead-character costumes worn by actors whose characters are killed off in movies or theatre productions, in this case, they are used for bullet hit squib stunts. Typically, multiple duplicates are prepared for the planned number of takes, whereby bullet holes are first created and squib devices are attached to the clothing beneath the fabric.

Bullet holes on the clothing's fabric are first made by cutting, sanding,[7] scoring,[17] grating[18] or plunging a scoring tool.[19] In most cases, they are used once per take. Some types of clothing can however be reused more than one take. Fake blood can be wiped off waterproof jackets, parkas and down jackets for a new take, as long as the bullet holes are cleanly cut beforehand. Using the aformentioned dry or non-staining simulants can also help to reuse the garments.[10] Furthermore, these jackets are also better at concealing the bulge of the blood squibs due to their padded nature than compared to a t-shirt, for example, and are easier to put on and take off.

Assembly and triggering the squibs on set[]

Once the squibs are manufactured and the costumes pre-scored, the squibs need to be incorporated into the costume, in conjunction with its preparation, in such a way that their presence is not obvious. For instance, the squib should be made with a low-profile and not bulge significantly, and the fabric does not appear pre-scored. After the squibs are taped or sewn to the costume and appear acceptable from the exterior, they are connected to a power source (e.g. battery) and sometimes also via a programmable controller to sync with multiple squibs. This can be placed in the clothing or off camera.

The actor can change into the prepared outfit immediately prior to the shot, wear it throughout a scene (especially for stage productions) or even the entire day,[20] although the power source should only be connected prior to the sequence to avoid accidental triggering. Blood packs can be triggered with a wired or wireless remote by a crew member off camera or by the actor him/herself. A wireless solution would enable the actor to walk around, and the electronics would therefore be self-contained. A wired, but much simpler solution would be done with wires hidden within the costumes, running a remote to the actor's hand or down the pants leg to the crew off camera, for example.

When the trigger button is pressed, the squib propels the fake blood or other simulants away from the actor and rips open the weakened area of the clothing fabric, creating the effect. The actor then jolts his/her body to portray the impact of being hit by bullets, which is further enhanced with post-production sound effects. The actor should also avoid looking directly at the squibs and keep their arms away.[20] Only a properly manufactured, securely attached and adequately padded blood pack is safe for the actor.

After the take, bullet holes may be enhanced or touched up for the subsequent scene. The actor should remain still until the special effects technician confirms all squibs have been set off and declared safe (and for the costumers to photograph the 'aftermath' for continuity).[6] Technicians may fire the sequence again to set off any misfired squibs in multiple bullet sequences.[21] Once safe, blood packs and/or the costume may be removed by the wardrobe department for retake, redressing or cleaning up.[6]

Alternative practical blood squib devices[]

Low- or no-budget filmmakers also achieve the practical effect using the same setup,[22] but without squibs. A fishing line is tied to a washer that is superglued onto the blood pack. The fishing line is then fed through the pre-cut hole on the costume fabric. The effect is triggered by a crew member off camera pulling on the fishing line. A rocket igniter or an electric match could also be used instead.[23] These methods largely reproduces the same effect of a stream of blood flowing out, but without the initial puff propelled by the squib.

Alternate, more advanced methods have also been developed in recent years, primarily by means of pneumatics (compressed gas).[24] These devices are safer for the actor and do not require specialised pyrotechnicians, which also reduce cost. While they are reusable, they are bulkier and heavier, and is not preferred for multiple bullet hits,[25] as well as being more difficult to control, less consistent and less reliable.[26] Pneumatic alternates may still be referred to as "squibs", even though they do not use explosive substances.

The pneumatic-based devices were originally developed from garden sprayers[27] and then further refined.[28][29] The resulting look is less convincing as a jet of blood sprays out instead of a 'burst'. Tubing was also difficult to conceal, as it is generally quite rigid.

Miscellaneous[]

The record for the most squibs ever set off on a person is held by Mike Daugherty in 2005, on whom 157 out of 160 squibs successfully detonated.[30]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "FCFX". www.fantasycreationsfx.com. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  2. ^ Baily, Lance (17 June 2014). "Theatrical Blood Effects Part 4 – From MilitaryMoulage.com | HealthySimulation.com". Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  3. ^ Robinson, Barry M. "Casualty Simulation Techniques" (PDF). www.vdh.virginia.gov. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Active-Shooter and Active-Harmer Simulations | Emergency Safety Training". Monster Makeup FX. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  5. ^ Hafertepen, Stephen C.; Davis, James W.; Townsend, Ricard N.; Sue, Lawrence P.; Kaups, Krista L.; Cagle, Kathleen M. (July 2015). "Myths and Misinformation About Gunshot Wounds may Adversely Affect Proper Treatment" (PDF). World Journal of Surgery. 39 (7): 1840–1847. doi:10.1007/s00268-015-3004-x. ISSN 0364-2313.
  6. ^ a b c dontshootthecostumer (14 April 2013). "B IS FOR…". Don't Shoot the Costumer. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Kawin, Bruce F. (1992). How movies work. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 358. ISBN 0-520-07696-6. OCLC 23976303.
  8. ^ Nirode, Vanessa (16 March 2018). "The Afterlife of Movie Wardrobes". Racked. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  9. ^ Grossman, Andrew. "Bleeding Realism Dry". Bright Lights Film Journal. p. 2.
  10. ^ a b Duerr, Seth; Kirby, Jared (2021). Staging Shakespeare's Violence: My Cue to Fight: Domestic Fury. Pen and Sword History. p. 276. ISBN 978-1526762436.
  11. ^ "Rapid Reload | Direct Hit". Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Professional Bullet Hit Effects". Roger George Special Effects. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  13. ^ Sara Down Jacket Shot, retrieved 19 August 2021
  14. ^ FX (1996). "Fargo (1996) Kill Count". YouTube. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Rapid Reload Bullet Hit SPFX Squib Kit BFH". Direct Hit FX. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  16. ^ Slow Motion Frontal Close-up of Stock Footage Video (100% Royalty-free) 1015632676 | Shutterstock, 29 August 2018, retrieved 20 October 2021
  17. ^ "The Hit Kit – Bullet Hit Squib Kit for Professional Pyrotechnicians". Roger George Special Effects. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  18. ^ "How to blow up a car (in the movies)". BBC News. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  19. ^ Hit Kit Squib Bullet Hit – For Professional Pyrotechnicians ONLY, retrieved 17 August 2021
  20. ^ a b Gill, Liz (2012). Running the Show: The Essential Guide to Being a First Assistant Director. Taylor & Francis. p. 72. ISBN 9780240821467.
  21. ^ "Body Hits / Squibs". www.dsfx.dk. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  22. ^ Blood-Squirting Gunshot Effect : BFX, retrieved 10 October 2021
  23. ^ "Dre's Page - Movies". www.postnukecomic.com. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Tolin FX". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  25. ^ "HitFX Theatrical Squib & Bullet Hit Effects – Film & TV". www.bloodystuff.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  26. ^ "The Little Squib that Couldn't Splatter Blood". The Black and Blue. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  27. ^ Exposure.co.uk (20 July 2000). "Blood & Bullets for No-Budget movies". Archived from the original on 28 April 2001.
  28. ^ Videos, KipkayKipkay. "Hollywood Gunshot Blood Effect!". Instructables. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  29. ^ MEDIA, REFOCUSED. "How to Make DIY Squibs". REFOCUSED MEDIA. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Most explosives (squibs) on an individual". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
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