Has anyone used squibs for bullet wounds in their movies before? How was the experience? Did you hire someone or DIY? Any risk of injury?
Squibs for bullet wounds?
- Thread starter nefilmgroup
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We used squibs on our film THE VERNONIA INCIDENT. The problem with squibs is that you need a license to buy them. We hired a guy who had a "powder license" to buy and use fireworks for the annual 4th of July festival. He could buy the squibs, but he had never actually used them before, so I had to show him how to rig them. You need to protect the skin of your actor, or the squib will blow a hole in his skin. We used small pieces of quarter-inch plywood, which we taped to the skin, and then put the squib on top of the plywood, and a zip-lock baggie of movie blood over the top of the squib. Then you need to run the wire from the squib out of the actor's pants leg, which goes to the battery. (We rigged the battery with an on-off switch for precise timing). Good luck...and remember, squibs are dangerous.
On later shoots, we did the same thing with regular firecrackers. If you shoot a close to medium shot, the guy lighting the firecracker can quickly step back out of frame. You will get a little puff of smoke, but if you cut the shot to the last frame before the firecracker explodes, you won't see the smoke
On later shoots, we did the same thing with regular firecrackers. If you shoot a close to medium shot, the guy lighting the firecracker can quickly step back out of frame. You will get a little puff of smoke, but if you cut the shot to the last frame before the firecracker explodes, you won't see the smoke
Don't use squibs without a licensed pyrotech on set. Explosives, even very small explosives, are dangerous. 
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Don't use squibs without a licensed pyrotech on set. Explosives, even very small explosives, are dangerous.
^^^
This!
NEVER use explosive squibs unless you can afford a pro. There are other methods available, do a google search.