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A dead-character costume is a set of
stage clothes 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. Theatrica ...
specially designed or modified for
actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...
s portraying characters killed on screen or on
stage Stage, stages, or staging may refer to: Arts and media Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly Brit ...
. They are used to depict gunshot or stab wounds, damage and the visual aftermath of violence, and are usually prepared by integrating
special effect Special effects (often abbreviated as F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the fictional events in a story or virtual world. ...
devices such as blood squibs or prosthetics. Despite the character being "killed" only once on-screen, multiple identical costumes are typically used for several
take A take is a single continuous recorded performance. The term is used in film and music to denote and track the stages of production. Film In cinematography, a take refers to each filmed "version" of a particular shot or "setup". Takes of each ...
s 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 considerations

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. Typically, 3-6 or even 8 identical
stunt A stunt is an unusual, difficult, dramatic physical feat that may require a special skill, performed for artistic purposes usually for a public audience, as on television or in theaters or cinema. Stunts are a feature of many action films. Befo ...
pieces are modified for the planned takes,
rehearsal A rehearsal is an activity in the performing arts that occurs as preparation for a performance in music, theatre, dance and related arts, such as opera, musical theatre and film production. It is undertaken as a form of Practice (learning metho ...
s, backups and tests, and one hero piece without modifications is used for close-ups and prior scenes. Sufficient duplicates ensure smooth execution.


Costumes used for bullet hit squibs

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 Theo Keating, also known as Fake Blood and Touché, is an English DJ, musician and music producer who made his name as one half of the Wiseguys, a British hip hop/big beat group, together with Paul Eve. Some of their best-known songs are " Sta ...
packet hidden beneath the costume. Designated areas of the fabric where the squibs are placed are first weakened (often by legislation) by cutting, sanding, scoring, grating or plunging a scoring tool, and sometimes, they are cut open from the inside to affix the squibs. As a result, spare or unused costumes are usually unsalvageable. scrubs Scrub(s) may refer to: * Scrub, low shrub and grass characteristic of scrubland * Scrubs (clothing), worn by medical staff * ''Scrubs'' (TV series), an American television program * Scrubs (occupation), also called "scrub tech," "scrub nurse," ...
used for a movie scene"> A set of light blue scrubs.jpg, The non-modified hero piece, for use in most scenes where the character appears. Bullet_hit_squibs_hidden_beneath_the_wardrobe_(scrubs,_with_arrows).jpg, The stunt piece with 6x squibs, filled with 15 g of fake blood, showing minor bulges on the fabric. Bullet hit squibs on wardrobe (scrubs, after).jpg, The stunt piece after the scene with blown open "bullet holes" and fake blood. Bullet hit squibs on wardrobe (scrubs, after 2).jpg, The second stunt piece after laundering, showing holes left by the squibs.


Preparation of the costume

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. Squib assemblies, which are large and heavy, are securely attached to the inside of the costume to ensure the blood effect is directed outward. The lining and filling may be modified to reduce bulk, 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 Post-production, also known simply as post, is part of the process of filmmaking, video production, audio production, and photography. Post-production includes all stages of production occurring after principal photography or recording indivi ...
to erase visible bullet holes before the squibs are fired. 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. Fastening all closures is crucial for both visual consistency and safety, as it prevents the squibs from being exposed or aiming in unintended directions. 6x The North Face Mountain Light Gore-tex Triclimate Down Jacket.jpg, 6x identical jackets (albeit different colours) are budgeted for a movie scene with
bullet hit squibs A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a practical, pyrotechnic special effect device used to simulate the appearance of a person being shot and wounded in films, TV shows and theatre performances. This is achieved by detonating a small explosi ...
. Step 1- marking out the bullet hit squib locations.jpg, Bullet hit locations marked out with white stickers. The trigger sequence and the
camera angles The camera angle marks the specific location at which the movie camera or video camera is placed to take a shot. A scene may be shot from several camera angles simultaneously. This will give a different experience and sometimes emotion. The diffe ...
should also be determined. A completed squib is placed temporarily on the costume for reference. Step 4 - aligning and attaching the squib device.jpg, The inner
taffeta Taffeta (archaically spelled taffety or taffata) is a crisp, smooth, plain woven fabric made from silk, nylon, cuprammonium rayons, acetate, or polyester. The word came into Middle English via Old French and Old Italian, which borrowed the Pers ...
lining cut open, exposing the outermost fabric from the inside. The squib device is then aligned to the weakened area and attached with duct tape. An actor shows a bullet hit squib embedded in his jacket 2.jpg, An actor wearing a modified jacket and points to the embedded
bullet hit squib A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a practical, pyrotechnic special effect device used to simulate the appearance of a person being shot and wounded in films, TV shows and theatre performances. This is achieved by detonating a small explosi ...
.


Reusing or salvaging dead-character costumes

Producing convincing bullet hit squib effects often requires a substantial wardrobe budget, though some costumes can be reused or salvaged. Thin fabrics, like
cycling jersey A cycling jersey is a specialised jersey for cycling. The cycling jersey used to be made of wool since the inception of cycling as a sport in the early 1900s, while contemporary jerseys have evolved into technical sportswear that is lightweig ...
s, 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
jacket A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips. A jacket typically has sleeves and fastens in the front or slightly on the side. Jackets without sleeves are vests. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and ...
s (e.g.
waterproof Waterproofing is the process of making an object, person or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resists the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet env ...
,
parka A parka, like the related anorak, is a type of coat (clothing), coat with a hood (headgear), hood, that may be lining (sewing), lined with fur or fake fur. Parkas and anoraks are staples of Inuit clothing, traditionally made from Reindeer, cari ...
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 insulation provides additional padding * versatility in many scripts * easy to hide multiple squibs, wiring and equipment * more sophisticated appearance * comfortable for extended filming or performing periods 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 Taffeta (archaically spelled taffety or taffata) is a crisp, smooth, plain woven fabric made from silk, nylon, cuprammonium rayons, acetate, or polyester. The word came into Middle English via Old French and Old Italian, which borrowed the Pers ...
pocket or a plastic pouch, help maintain their puffy appearance. Using non-staining simulants (e.g. water) during rehearsals or dry simulants (e.g. dust, powder) also facilitates cleanup. The North Face Mountain Light Triclimate Down Jacket.jpg, The hero jacket without any modifications used for all scenes except when the actor is "shot". Bullet_hit_squibs_on_costume_(jacket,_with_arrow).jpg, The first stunt jacket with 6x bullet hit squibs (labelled) containing 25 g of fake blood and a modest bulge. Blood squib demonstration.jpg, The second stunt piece with 2x squibs exploding on the chest and cleanly cut bullet holes for a demonstration. When costumes cannot be altered or damaged, realistic blood stains can be achieved using acrylic painted nylon
tulle Tulle (; ) is a Communes of France, commune in central France. It is the third-largest town in the former region of Limousin and is the capital of the Departments of France, department of Corrèze, in the Regions of France, region of Nouvelle- ...
mesh 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.


Performing with bullet hit squibs

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.


Post-production

Spent and unspent costumes, whether salvageable or not, are kept until post-production is complete in case additional footage is needed. 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.


See also

*
Bodily mutilation in film 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 char ...
*
Bullet hit squib A bullet hit squib or a blood squib is a practical, pyrotechnic special effect device used to simulate the appearance of a person being shot and wounded in films, TV shows and theatre performances. This is achieved by detonating a small explosi ...
*
Fake blood Theo Keating, also known as Fake Blood and Touché, is an English DJ, musician and music producer who made his name as one half of the Wiseguys, a British hip hop/big beat group, together with Paul Eve. Some of their best-known songs are " Sta ...
*
Practical effect In filmmaking 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 "vi ...
*
Pyrotechnics Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating fireworks, but also includes safety matches, oxygen candles, Pyrotechnic fastener, explosive bolts (and other fasteners), parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, q ...
*
Special effect Special effects (often abbreviated as F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the fictional events in a story or virtual world. ...
*
Squib (explosive) 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. ...


References

{{Special effects, state=expanded Costume design Stagecraft Special effects