Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by WikiCleanerBot (talk | contribs) at 13:56, 30 August 2021 (v2.04b - Bot T20 CW#61 - Fix errors for CW project (Reference before punctuation)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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

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 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 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 metal protective plate and padding. Simulants such as sand, soil, wood, splinters are used for inanimate objects, or in the case for actors, fake blood, dust, down feathers (for the desired stylistic gunshot effect on a down jacket as the costume worn by the actor), water (for rehearsals), glycerine (for night time shoots) are employed.

The squib itself is typically 0.5-1.0 grain of a flat disc-shaped encapsulated explosives (a party popper is ~0.25 grain), 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

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, grating or plunging a scoring tool from the inside. 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.

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/contrast of the costume should also be light enough and/or sufficient lighting to show the bloodstain effect. Some types of costumes can however be reused more than one take by wiping off the fake blood on a waterproof jacket or parka, using dry simulants like down feathers on a down jacket, and/or using non-staining simulants like a water-filled "rehearsal pack" instead of the blood mixture for dress rehearsals. For these jackets, the fabric can be clean cut in a star shape (*) and loosely taped back together on the inside, so no fraying/ripping is caused by the squib. The downproof taffeta lining of a down jacket 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.

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 to 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 throughout the scene (especially for stage productions) or even the entire day, including lunch breaks, although the power source should only be connected 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. Bullet holes that are visible on the fabric immediately before the squibs explode can also be erased during post-production.

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.

References

1. Fantasy Creations FX. "Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
2. ^ dontshootthecostumer (2013-04-14). "B IS FOR…". Don't Shoot the Costumer. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
3. ^ Nirode, Vanessa (2018-03-16). "The Afterlife of Movie Wardrobes". Racked. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
4. Grossman, Andrew. "Bleeding Realism Dry". Bright Lights Film Journal. p. 2.
5. "Professional Bullet Hit Effects". Roger George Special Effects. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
6. Sara Down Jacket Shot, retrieved 2021-08-19
7. FX (1996). "Fargo (1996) Kill Count". YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. ^ Duerr, Seth; Kirby, Jared (2021). Staging Shakespeare's Violence: My Cue to Fight: Domestic Fury. Pen and Sword History. p. 276. ISBN 1526762439.
9. "Rapid Reload | Direct Hit". Retrieved 2021-08-22.
10. "Rapid Reload Bullet Hit SPFX Squib Kit BFH". Direct Hit FX. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
11. "The Hit Kit - Bullet Hit Squib Kit for Professional Pyrotechnicians". Roger George Special Effects. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
12. "How to blow up a car (in the movies)". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
13. Hit Kit Squib Bullet Hit - For Professional Pyrotechnicians ONLY, retrieved 2021-08-17
14. ^ Gill, Liz (2012). Running the Show: The Essential Guide to Being a First Assistant Director. Taylor & Francis. p. 72. ISBN 9780240821467.
15. "Working with Blood on Costumes". ProductionHUB.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
16. The Vetala - Squibs, Stunts, and Bullet Hits, retrieved 2021-03-14
17. Gun Squib Tutorial Part 1- How to Make Gun shot Bullet Hit for Indie Movies, retrieved 2021-08-21
18. Parker, Ryan; Parker, Ryan (2017-07-14). "'RoboCop' Actor's X-Rated Death Wasn't Gory Enough For Paul Verhoeven". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
19. "Tolin FX". Retrieved 2021-02-06.
20. "HitFX Theatrical Squib & Bullet Hit Effects - Film & TV". www.bloodystuff.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
21. "The Little Squib that Couldn't Splatter Blood". The Black and Blue. 2011-07-29. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
22. "Most explosives (squibs) on an individual". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2021-02-08.

• Pyrotechnics
• Special effects