How To Make a Cheap Blood Squib For Gunshot Effect
In this Hollywood Know How we teach you how to make a cheap homemade version of a blood squib. Film makers use a blood squib to create gunshot effects and blood splatter. In case you weren’t sure, a squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries, from special effects to military applications. Add the blood and you have a blood squib that mimics what it would be like to get shot. The good news is our version doesn’t require any explosives and costs less than $1.
Blood spatter and gunshot special effects are as old as Hollywood. Blockbuster films use the latest technology to make it all seem real but there are plenty of ways for an indie film maker to pull of blood splatter and gunshot special effects on the cheap.
The best part about making your own effects and props is that you’re only limited by your imagination. If you film yourself using this tip, leave us a note in the comments with a link to your work! We’d love to see what you create.
To make your blood squib you’ll need a few items:
- 1 Ziploc Sandwich Bag
- String or fishing line
- Duct tape
- Fake Blood
Steps to making your cheap blood squib
- Lay a strip of tape flat and then put a smaller piece of tape sticky side together in the middle
- Attach the tape to your stomach and add extra pieces of tape for strength along the sides
- This creates a guide for the string to slide through
- Attach one end of the string to the zipper on your sandwich bag
- Make sure the zipper still functions after the string is attached
- Duct the empty bag to your body and make sure the bag is secure
- Make sure the top of the bag is positioned at a downward angle
- Run the string through the guide you made in Step 2
- With the string on the floor, pin one side down with your foot
- Sliding your other foot will now open the zipper on the bag
- Fill the bag with blood and then….