Squibs: Blood Bullets from Squib FX!
By Kevin Waczek
Cheap and safe squibs enable low budget, independent filmmakers to have high quality special effects like never before. The classic expensive and dangerous explosive powered squibs are just that; too expensive and dangerous. With the help of Squib FX, I was able to create gory, glorious gunshots!
THE “FILMMAKER’S VAULT”
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THE FIRST SQUIB EVER
Squibs haven’t always been around. War epics and westerns such as “High Noon” (1952) or “The Longest Day” (1962) did not use squibs. To our modern eye it is noticeable and distracting when a character dies from a gunshot when seemingly nothing happened to him.
The first time that squibs were used to simulate bullet impacts was in a Polish film called “Pokolenie” (1955). Kazimierz Kutz created the effect using a condom filled with fake blood and dynamite. Sounds like a Youtube channel “hack” nowadays.
Squibs and storytelling
When it comes down to it, squibs aren’t essential for every film. They are a part of a film’s style and should ultimately be used to help tell a story. I personally think that squibs are not needed for every single gunshot or hit in film, especially in large wides or distant kills.
Quentin Tarantino is an iconic director when it comes to gore and style. His movies are known for being over-the-top gory with impossible blood splatter. But that’s okay, because that’s how he tells his stories. The style and storytelling technique of his squibs supplement the narrative story and the action in his films. There are two ways to achieve a blood splatter like Tarantino.
Explosive SQUIB VS AIR SQUIB
A typical squib consists of three parts. A fake blood packet, a charge, and a protective metal plate. Once detonated, the charge will rip through the clothing of the actor and send blood flying everywhere. The downside to this type of squib is that the filmmakers would possibly, depending on the country/state, need a pyrotechnics license or a special effects license. To get around the need for certification, air squibs were invented. The air squib involves a fake blood packet and an air powered charge, so now there is no need for a protective metal plate. Both methods look great and are convincing on screen, but the two methods have their pros and cons.
The advantages traditional squibs have over air powered squibs are impact, portability, and debris. Since the squib is using a charge, the character feels an impact when the charge is detonated and provides a more realistic reaction when the character is hit by the gunshot. Secondly, since the charge is small and compact, the character is more portable and is physically capable to move before the impact of the shot. This is even more true with remotely detonated squibs, allowing the character to run across a room before being shot. The final advantage of a traditional squib is debris. The charge from the squib is strong enough to not only burst the fake blood packet but rip the character’s clothing, providing a more violent effect.
Where air powered squibs have an edge is safety and cost. Using compressed air instead of a small charge means that there is no need for a metal protective plate and that there is almost no chance of injury during detonation. Cost is a huge factor that plays a role in any independent or student film. You can create your own air powered squib with less than $100. Unlike traditional squibs, the device is also reusable as long as you have compressed air.
PROFESSIONAL AIR SQUIBS
If your budget is incredibly strict, then making a DIY compressed air rig might be the way to go. But depending on the quality and materials, the rig can lack the appearance of professionalism.
For my latest film A Christmas Miracle and an upcoming film The Long Walk, I used “The Tarantino” from Squib FX. With the help of Michael Taylor from NWB Imaging, we rigged this system to deliver professional-looking blood sprays. This system runs for $495. It is not cheap, especially if you are looking for a $50 alternative. But it has been priceless for me and my films to add an extra layer of production value and shock.
“The Tarantino” rig is also easy to use! Before setting up the rig, figure out where the character is being hit. If needed, cut a small slit in the characters clothing.
Pump the air canister with compressed air. We used a bike pump on our sets.
Place the tube. Then rig the canister onto the character. In this photo we rigged the squib on the back of our character.
Load the tube on the rig with blood. Call action and watch the magic happen!
I have used “The Tarantino” Rig on two films with six on-screen bloody deaths, including the film above. This equipment is a large part of why I am so happy with the outcome of these effects. For more information about Squib FX, you can visit their website.
Thank you for listening and supporting The Filmmakers Blog. If you have any questions or want to elaborate on any concepts stated in the article make sure to comment below! Or email me at kevin@thefilmmakersblog.com