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Stage clothes specially designed or modified for actors portraying characters killed on screen or stage [1] are used to depict gunshot or stab wounds, damage and the visual aftermath of violence. They are prepared by integrating special effect devices such as blood squibs or prosthetics. Despite the character being "killed" only once on-screen, multiple identical costumes are typically used for several takes and scenes to ensure consistency and continuity, as the irreversible damage caused by squibs or blood effects limit their reusability. They are sent to separate costume racks and disposed of afterwards, unlike other clothing articles that may return to the costume shop. These costumes serve as a metaphorical canvas to portray injury and death without the need for digital post-production effects and help filmmakers tell impactful, dramatic or even comedic stories.
Costume selection should consider script requirements, possibility for modification, aesthetics, and budget. If fake blood is used, the outfit's colour should be bright or have sufficient set lighting to show bloodstains. [2] Typically, 3 [3] -6 [4] or even 8 identical stunt pieces are modified for the planned takes, rehearsals, backups and tests, and one hero piece without modifications is used for close-ups and prior scenes. Sufficient duplicates ensure smooth execution.
A dead-character costume is one of the most significant components of a blood squibs effect, especially in action or crime scenes that involve gunfire. These squibs simulate a burst of a bullet wound and a fake blood packet hidden beneath the costume. Designated areas of the fabric where the squibs are placed are first weakened (often by legislation) by cutting, [5] sanding, [4] scoring, [6] grating [7] or plunging a scoring tool, [8] and sometimes, they are cut open from the inside to affix the squibs. As a result, spare or unused costumes are usually unsalvageable.
The preparation of a dead-character costume involves determining the number, sequence, and location of bullet holes (~50 mm diameter) based on the script. To maintain an intact appearance from a distance, the area is weakened and glued or taped to create realistic fraying when the squibs trigger. [9] Squib assemblies, which are large and heavy, are securely attached to the inside of the costume to ensure the blood effect is directed outward. [4] [10] The lining and filling may be modified to reduce bulk, [11] though multiple squibs can still add significant weight and unnatural bulges, affecting movement and appearance. Costumers aim to minimise visibility of squib placements, with subtle scoring or stippling techniques and using post-production to erase visible bullet holes before the squibs are fired. [12] [13]
In some cases, jackets with multiple frontal squibs are fitted with an additional rear zip, allowing actors to wear them from the back to minimise disturbance to the squibs. [14] Fastening all closures is crucial for both visual consistency and safety, as it prevents the squibs from being exposed or aiming in unintended directions.
Producing convincing bullet hit squib effects often requires a substantial wardrobe budget, though some costumes can be reused or salvaged. Thin fabrics, like cycling jerseys, where a squib can easily blow open the thin fabric, can be used for a blood squib stunt without weakening the fabric and unused spares can be salvaged. More durable clothing, such as jackets (e.g. waterproof, parka and down), can be reused across several takes, thus reducing the number of duplicates. Bullet holes are completely cut open and loosely glued or taped back together, as shown in the demonstration image in the gallery. Between takes, blood squibs are replaced, and the jacket is wiped clean again. Other advantages of using a jacket as a dead character costume include:
The main disadvantage is that this requires more time for resets between takes.
Specific modifications for a down jacket, such as repacking down fillings in a taffeta pocket or a plastic pouch, help maintain their puffy appearance.
Using non-staining simulants (e.g. water) [15] during rehearsals or dry simulants (e.g. dust, powder) also facilitates cleanup.
When costumes cannot be altered or damaged, realistic blood stains can be achieved using acrylic painted nylon tulle mesh [16] and added ripped fabric material for bullet hole textures. This method allows repositioning before sewing and removal after production for costume reuse. However, it does not replicate the blood spray effect of a bullet hit squib, potentially requiring CGI to achieve this effect.
Costume containing blood squibs and equipment is visibly bulkier and heavier, which requires care during dressing and performance to avoid damaging the squibs. For safety reasons, it is generally advised to change into the dead character costume immediately before the shot to prevent accidental triggering or equipment malfunction, unless practical reasons necessitate switching from the hero costume to the stunt version earlier.
Spent and unspent costumes, whether salvageable or not, are kept until post-production is complete in case additional footage is needed. [17] This ensures that all necessary footage is captured and allows for reshoots if required. Afterwards, they can become souvenirs, be auctioned as memorabilia, repaired, or donated depending on the production's needs. An example is winter coats with bullet holes that have been repaired and donated. [1]
Costume is the distinctive style of dress and/or makeup of an individual or group that reflects class, gender, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, activity or epoch—in short, culture.
Special effects are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the imagined events in a story or virtual world. It is sometimes abbreviated as SFX, but this may also refer to sound effects.
A cartridge, also known as a round, is a type of pre-assembled firearm ammunition packaging a projectile, a propellant substance and an ignition device (primer) within a metallic, paper, or plastic case that is precisely made to fit within the barrel chamber of a breechloading gun, for convenient transportation and handling during shooting. Although in popular usage the term "bullet" is often used to refer to a complete cartridge, the correct usage only refers to the projectile.
Terminal ballistics is a sub-field of ballistics concerned with the behavior and effects of a projectile when it hits and transfers its energy to a target.
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A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed to a daredevil, who performs for a live audience. When they take the place of another actor, they are known as stunt doubles.
Earthquake is a 1974 American ensemble disaster drama film directed and produced by Mark Robson and starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner. The plot concerns the struggle for survival after a catastrophic earthquake destroys most of Los Angeles.
A practical effect is a special effect produced physically, without computer-generated imagery or other post-production techniques. In some contexts, "special effect" is used as a synonym of "practical effect", in contrast to "visual effects" which are created in post-production through photographic manipulation or computer generation.
A prop, formally known as a (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes, and electrical equipment. This includes handheld items such as books, cups, weapons, and tools that actors interact with during a performance. Props help to create a realistic setting, convey information, or add to the storytelling by showing details about the characters or the environment.
A blank is a firearm cartridge that, when fired, does not shoot a projectile like a bullet or pellet, but generates a muzzle flash and an explosive sound like a normal gunshot would. Firearms may need to be modified to allow a blank to cycle the action, and the shooter experiences less recoil with a blank than with a live round. Blanks are often used in prop guns for shooting simulations that have no need for ballistic results, but still demand light and sound effects, such as in historical reenactments, special effects for theatre, movie and television productions, combat training, for signaling, and cowboy mounted shooting. Specialised blank cartridges are also used for their propellant force in fields as varied as construction, shooting sports, and fishing and general recreation.
A squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries, from special effects to military applications. It resembles a tiny stick of dynamite, both in appearance and construction, but has considerably less explosive power. A squib consists of two electrical leads separated by a plug of insulating material; a small bridge wire or electrical resistance heater; and a bead of heat-sensitive chemical composition, in which the bridge wire is embedded. They can be used to generate mechanical force to shatter or propel various materials; and for pyrotechnic effects for film and live theatrics.
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Stage clothes is a term for any clothes used by performers on stage. The term is sometimes used only for those clothes which are specially made for the stage performance by a costume designer or picked out by a costume coordinator. Theatrical costumes can help actors portray characters' age, gender role, profession, social class, personality, and even information about the historical period/era, geographic location, time of day, as well as the season or weather of the theatrical performance. Stage clothes may be used to portray a historical look or they can be used to exaggerate some aspect of a character.
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Ammunition is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons and the component parts of other weapons that create the effect on a target.
Theatrical blood, stage blood or fake blood is anything used as a substitute for blood in a theatrical or cinematic performance. For example, in the special effects industry, when a director needs to simulate an actor being shot or cut, a wide variety of chemicals and natural products can be used. The most common is red food coloring, often inside small balloons coupled with explosive devices called squibs.
Bodily mutilation in film refers to practical effects implemented on a film set during production, in contrast to special effects, which are applied in post-production. The primary objective is to visually depict physical trauma endured by a character, aiming to elicit emotional responses from the audience and foster empathy towards the character. Bodily mutilation is most usually portrayed in the context of horror, but is also used in other genres, such as medical dramas or war films. It is used primarily either to shock or fascinate the audience of a film, or to add a sense of realism. Improved special effects in recent decades have seen an increase in the prevalence of bodily mutilation in film.
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A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a practical, pyrotechnic special effect device mainly used to simulate the appearance of a person being shot and wounded in the film industry, stage performances and even in first responder moulage training. This is achieved by remotely detonating a small explosive, blowing open a pre-scored hole on the actor's clothing and bursting a fake blood packet, creating an aesthetic that filmmakers and audiences alike have become accustomed to associating with a gunshot wound.
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