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A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a pyrotechnic special effect device used in the film industry and theatre productions to simulate a bullet impacting an object or on actors. The bullet squib device comprises a squib (a small, firecracker-like explosive), an electric match, a small pack of simulant (most commonly fake blood) and a protective plate 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

In the case of simulating bullet hits on actors, 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 costumes in advance, typically at least three depending on the budget. These clothing with bullet holes worn by such actors are called "dead character" costumes. The time, personnel and material costs 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 metal protective plate and padding. Simulants such as sand, soil, wood, splinters are used for inanimate objects, or in the case of actors, fake blood, dust, down feathers (for the desired stylistic gunshot effect on a down jacket as the costume worn by the actor) or water (for rehearsals) are employed.

The squib itself is typically 0.5-1.0 grain of a flat disc-shaped encapsulated explosives, suitable for approximately 10-30 ml (0.3-1.0 fl. oz.) of fake blood, simulating an entry or an exit wound respectively. The bottom half of the blood packet is aligned to the squib so that the fake blood flows out completely upon activation.

Dead character costumes

Several identical sets (at least three, mentioned above) of clothing are used for the stunt. One is used in prior scenes and also serves as a backup, while the remainders are used once per take as the fabric gets torn and stained. The colour of the costume should also be light enough to show the bloodstain effect. Some costumes can be reused more than one take by mending the precut holes together again (the holes have to be clean cut and not frayed by the squib) and wiping off the fake blood on a waterproof jacket or parka, using down feathers as the simulant on a down jacket, and/or using a "rehearsal pack" filled with water instead of the blood mixture for dress rehearsals.

The number, sequence and locations of bullet holes of ~50 mm large are first determined. There are two ways to prepare the bullet holes on the costume: the fabric can either be clean cut in a star shape (*) and loosely taped back together on the inside, or it can be weakened by carefully scoring, grating or plunging a scoring tool from the inside. The energy from the squib will rip through the weakened area, creating a frayed look at the same time. The first method allows for the reuse of jacket-type costumes for a second take, with no fraying/ripping caused by the squib or the scoring.

If inner lining and filling are present, they are removed to access the site and to make the area as thin as possible. When using a down jacket - if a downproof taffeta lining is present, then the jacket can be used as is, otherwise the down filling should be repacked in a custom-made downproof "pocket" behind the blood pack to maintain the quilted puffer appearance, as cutting open the lining to access the site will cause the down filling to leak out, if the jacket is to be used for more than one take or scene.

Because of the size and weight of the entire bullet hit squib setup (~75–100 mm/3-4" in diameter, ~25 mm/1" thick, weighing ~30-50g), depending on the weight and thickness of the costume fabric, it is either taped directly to the inside of the costume (e.g. jacket) or on the actor (e.g. shirt).

Activation of squibs on stage

Finally on set, the blood packs are connected to a power source (e.g. battery) and sometimes also via a programmable controller. A well-made, low profile bullet hit squib device should not be visible beneath the costume, neither should the pre-scoring of the fabric if it is properly cut, so in practice, the actor can wear the prepared costume thoughout the scene (especially for stage productions) or even the entire day, including lunch breaks, although the power source should only be connected immediately prior to the sequence to avoid accidental triggering. If duplicates are available, the actor can change into the prepared costume just before the take, and only show the detonation sequence immediately in a cut to minimise continuity issues.

Blood packs can be triggered with a wired or wireless remote by a crew member off camera or by the actor him/herself. 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 costume fabric, creating the effect. The actor should avoid looking directly at the squibs and keep their arms away. Only a properly manufactured, securely attached and adequately padded blood pack will not cause pain. After the take, bullet holes may be enhanced or touched up for the subsequent scene. Blood packs and/or the costume may be removed by the wardrobe department for retake, redressing or cleaning up. Spent and unspent costumes are kept until post-production is completed, as the director may elect to refilm extra footage. Afterwards, spent costumes are auctioned, and/or repaired and donated, especially with winter coats.

Alternative blood squib devices

More advanced devices and alternative methods have been developed in recent years, primarily by means of pneumatics (compressed gas). 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, as well as being more difficult to control, less consistent and less reliable. Pneumatic alternates may still be referred to as "squibs", even though they do not use explosive substances.

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.

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