Dead-character costume

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An actor is wearing a The North Face waterproof jacket as the dead-character costume with a squib embedded in the left chest pocket ready for filming. The squib device can be carefully seen as a circular bulge beneath the fabric. The fabric is pre-scored in a + shape. This jacket can be reused for a few more takes, as the fake blood can be wiped off the fabric easily, although the bullet holes will not be as inconspicuous as the first take.
An actor is wearing a The North Face waterproof jacket as the dead-character costume with a squib embedded in the left chest pocket ready for filming. The squib device can be carefully seen as a circular bulge beneath the fabric. The fabric is pre-scored in a + shape. This jacket can be reused for a few more takes, as the fake blood can be wiped off the fabric easily, although the bullet holes will not be as inconspicuous as the first take.

Dead-character costumes are stage clothes worn by actors whose characters are killed off in movies and theatre productions.[1] These costumes are usually distressed or prepared for special effects such as bullet hit squibs, simulating an actor getting shot. Bullet holes are made on the fabric where the squibs were attached. As a result, they usually cannot be reused and end up on the "dead-character rack". Typically, duplicate sets of identical costumes are prepared for the scene. They are kept for a period of time until the end of production, after which they can be auctioned, and/or repaired and donated.

A demonstration of blood squibs embedded in a waterproof jacket bursting out fake blood and smoke. This example was a different take from the main figure (an additional squib has been installed on the right chest and bullet holes have been enhanced and repaired with duct tape).

Costumes used for bullet hit squibs[]

An example of a bullet hit squib assembly to be attached to the costume's fabric beneath.
An example of a bullet hit squib assembly to be attached to the costume's fabric beneath.
Main article: Bullet hit squib

The simulation of an actor getting shot in movies or theatre productions involves using a bullet hit squib device that bursts out a small packet of fake blood hidden beneath the costume. Typically, at least three sets of identical clothing are used for the stunt[2] and sometimes even six duplicates.[3] One is used in prior scenes and also serves as a backup, while the remainders are used for dress rehearsals and once per take as the fabric gets torn and stained. The colour/contrast of the outfit should also be light enough and/or sufficient lighting to show the bloodstain effect.[4]

Preparation of the costume[]

The number, sequence and locations of bullet holes (~50 mm large) on an actor to be shot are first determined. The bullet holes on the fabric are weakened by carefully scoring,[5] sanding,[3] grating[6] or plunging a scoring tool[7] from the inside so that it will be easier for the explosion to open the fabric up. From a distance, the fabric appears intact. The blast from the squib will rip through the weakened area, creating a frayed look at the same time. It is important to verify this on trial set of costume, or at least at an area of the costume not visible to the camera even before a rehearsal.[8]

Because of the size and weight of the entire bullet hit squib setup (~50–75 mm/2-3" in diameter, ~15-25 mm/2/3"-1" thick, weighing ~30-50g), depending on the weight and thickness of the clothing fabric, it is either sewn[3] or taped directly to the inside of the outfit (e.g. jacket)[9] or to the actor (e.g. shirt). Wires connect the blood squibs to a switch and a battery board off camera, which may be hidden within the costume itself or run down the pants leg to a technician.[3] On jackets with multiple frontal squibs, the costumer may install an additional zip at the back to allow the actor to slip on the jacket without needing to disturb the squibs.[10] The costumer should also ensure that all zips and buttons are fastened for visual and safety purposes to prevent recoil: thereby maximising the visual effect, as well as to prevent the blood pack and the wound-less clothing beneath from being revealed, and to avoid the squibs from aiming at unintended directions.

Reusing dead-character costumes[]

While most clothing can only be used once per take, waterproof jackets or parkas (with a higher initial cost than for instance a shirt) can be reused by wiping off the fake blood between takes and by cutting the bullet holes on the fabric cleanly in a cross (+ or x) or star shape (*) and loosely taped back together on the inside, so no fraying/ripping is caused by the squib. This is especially beneficial for actors in stage productions who then wear the same piece for each show, and extras who fill multiple roles. Furthermore, using dry simulants like dust, or down feathers (for the desired stylistic gunshot effect on a down jacket as the outfit worn by the actor), and/or using non-staining simulants like a water-filled "rehearsal pack"[11] instead of the blood mixture for dress rehearsals further reduces the likelihood of staining. Further preparation of down jackets are required, however. The downproof taffeta lining beneath the outer fabric is kept intact to prevent the filling from leaking out. If no taffeta lining is present, then the filling should be repacked in a custom-made downproof "pocket" to maintain the quilted puffer appearance. Inner lining and filling other than down are removed to access the site and to make the area as thin as possible to minimise bulging.[12]

For times when duplicate costumes cannot be sourced, blood stains can be convincingly simulated with painted-on nylon tulle meshing with an acrylic top coat instead.[13] Ripped fabric portraying a bullet hole can also thus be built on top of the mesh. The advantage of this method enables the position of the blood stain to be movable. It is then sewn onto the fabric for the production and can be removed afterwards, effectively enabling the costume to be reused without staining. The disadvantage with this method is that it cannot portray the blood spray effect with a bullet hit squib, so CGI may need to be employed to simulate this effect.

Activation of squibs on set[]

On cue, the actor or the technician sets off the charge.[3] A well-made, low profile bullet hit squib device should not be conspicuous beneath the costume, neither should the pre-scoring of the fabric if it is properly scored, as shown in the main figure. So in practice, the actor can wear the prepared outfit throughout a scene (especially for stage productions) or even the entire day, including lunch breaks,[4] although the power source should only be connected prior to the sequence to avoid accidental triggering. Conversely, the actor can also change into the prepared outfit just before the take, and only show the detonation sequence if duplicates are available. In any case, bullet holes that are visible on the fabric immediately before the squibs explode can also be erased during post-production.[14]

Spent and unspent costumes are kept until post-production is completed, as the director may elect to refilm extra footage.[15] Afterwards, spent costumes can be auctioned as memorabilia, repaired and/or donated, especially with winter coats.[1]

Gallery[]

Dead character costume preparation

  • In films, scenes with bullet hit squibs, for example, there is a need to prepare multiple sets of costumes for the shoot. Here, two identical jackets are budgeted for this and the bullet hit squib articles.

  • 1. Bullet hit locations are marked out with white stickers as an example. The trigger sequence and the camera angles should also be determined (only two squibs on the chest were installed in the demonstration figure shown in this article). A squib is placed temporarily on the costume for reference.

  • 2. The inner taffeta lining of this is cut opened carefully, exposing the outermost fabric from the inside. There is no filling in this jacket (as the filling is separate in another zip-in jacket) making it easy to prepare.

  • 3. The outermost fabric is scored carefully and almost completely through to assist the squib to blow open the fabric easily, while remaining intact for the camera before the squib explodes.

  • 4. The squib device is carefully aligned to the pre-scored area and attached to the fabric with duct tape.

  • 5. Verify the squib device is placed correctly on the outside. Once the wiring is connected, it is ready to be used.

  • 6. The bullet hit assembly removed from the costume after it has been triggered. The baseplate can be reused again.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Nirode, Vanessa (16 March 2018). "The Afterlife of Movie Wardrobes". Racked. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  2. ^ dontshootthecostumer (14 April 2013). "B IS FOR…". Don't Shoot the Costumer. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kawin, Bruce F. (1992). How movies work. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 358. ISBN 0-520-07696-6. OCLC 23976303.
  4. ^ a b Gill, Liz (2012). Running the Show: The Essential Guide to Being a First Assistant Director. Taylor & Francis. p. 72. ISBN 9780240821467.
  5. ^ "The Hit Kit – Bullet Hit Squib Kit for Professional Pyrotechnicians". Roger George Special Effects. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  6. ^ "How to blow up a car (in the movies)". BBC News. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. ^ Hit Kit Squib Bullet Hit – For Professional Pyrotechnicians ONLY, retrieved 17 August 2021
  8. ^ Street Kings: What Are Squibs?, retrieved 1 January 2022
  9. ^ The Vetala – Squibs, Stunts, and Bullet Hits, retrieved 14 March 2021
  10. ^ "Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) Firing Squad Uniform Wardrobe from Valkyrie (2008) @ Online Movie Memorabilia Archive and Marketplace - PROPbay.com". www.propbay.com. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  11. ^ Duerr, Seth; Kirby, Jared (2021). Staging Shakespeare's Violence: My Cue to Fight: Domestic Fury. Pen and Sword History. p. 276. ISBN 1526762439.
  12. ^ "Working with Blood on Costumes". ProductionHUB.com. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  13. ^ Knott, Jenny. "Avoid "Pink Shirt Syndrome!" Learn How To Make Convincing Bloody Costumes That Won't Stain Everything Else - Rosco Spectrum". www.rosco.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  14. ^ chinfat (29 May 2014), Gun Squib Tutorial Part 1- How to Make Gun shot Bullet Hit for Indie Movies, retrieved 13 November 2021 – via Youtube
  15. ^ Parker, Ryan (14 July 2017). "'RoboCop' Actor's X-Rated Death Wasn't Gory Enough For Paul Verhoeven". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
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