Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Gunshots

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Noname
Guest
Guest

Topic: Gunshots
Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:27am

We're doing a very bloody show, so I will have two related questions. My first regards gunshots. It's a small space, and safety is a factor, so we will be using recorded cues for the sound of the guns. However, the characters fire across the room, and the victim has to bleed. How do we do that?

I'm looking for the simplest way to make the victim/actor start oozing blood, basically on cue and hopefully in multiple locations.

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DanLB
Lead
Lead

Joined: 5/18/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36

Posted: 3/17/05 at 1:04pm

One option is to use a blood capsule of some sort that the victim would hold in thier hand. When the get "shot" they would smash the blood capsule against the part of the body they where shot in. Of course this only works if they are shot in an area that looks natural, wouldn't work for shots in the back. I have made simple blood packs by cutting off the corner of a plastic sandwitch bag, filling it wil stage blood, then sealing it up with some tape.

The only other option I know of is pyro-technic squibs but you would need a professional to do that safely.

Dan

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Topper
Celebrity

Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 543

Posted: 3/17/05 at 2:40pm

Here's a technique I've been itching to try, but have
yet had the opportunity to attempt:

With the popularity of "Paintball" booming, I was
thinking it might be possible to get blood-red
paintballs and load them into the proper dispenser.
Since paintball guns look nothing like the real thing,
the firing would take place from the wings by a very
talented marksman(woman).

On cue, the stage gun would "fire" at the same time
your paintballer would pelt the victim from a distance.

Of course you would need a workable set (with an
opening to fire the gun from the correct angle), a
VERY trusting actor (wearing appropriate protection
under their costume!) , an EXCELLENT shooter
(without a criminal record or personal grudge
against the actor) and LOTS of rehearsal (with LOTS
of paper towels.)

Like I said, I don't know of anyone who's ever
attempted an effect like this, but -- considering the
above factors -- it seems workable. Please be
advised that I can neither recommend nor condone
this method!

But if it works I'd love to hear about it.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Noname
Guest
Guest

Posted: 3/17/05 at 3:54pm

Dan - Thanks. That is certainly simple, and it might be workable. It's the line of thinking we need to go down.

Topper - I really appreciate your creativity, but it wouldn't work in our small space. We're not a traditional theatre, but a store front, and we don't have good wing access or sight lines to the stage from off-stage. I'll use your idea when we're brainstorming, tho, and see where it goes.

Please keep sharing your ideas, everyone. TIA!

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jtonner
Star
Star

Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56

Posted: 3/22/05 at 3:45pm

The University of Alabama theatre department came up with a squib for use by college and community theatres. It requires a very small charge an piece of thick leather, a plastic bag and a battery operated switch. I have a hand out with full directions in you are interested.

John

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Noname05
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 3/23/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 3/23/05 at 11:46am

Yes; I would love to see the handout.

How can I get one?

If I pm you my email, can you send it? (I've never used a pm feature.)

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Mike Polo
Admin Group

Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286

Posted: 3/23/05 at 12:03pm

jtonner --

Is the handou something that could be copied and posted? We would be happy to put it up on the Green Room (with full attribution, of course...).

Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org

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jtonner
Star
Star

Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56

Posted: 3/24/05 at 6:39pm

I will go through my stuff from the 2004 USITT conference and see what I can find.

John

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Author	Message
Noname Guest	Topic: Gunshots Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:27am
	We're doing a very bloody show, so I will have two related questions. My first regards gunshots. It's a small space, and safety is a factor, so we will be using recorded cues for the sound of the guns. However, the characters fire across the room, and the victim has to bleed. How do we do that? I'm looking for the simplest way to make the victim/actor start oozing blood, basically on cue and hopefully in multiple locations.

	IP Logged

DanLB Lead Joined: 5/18/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 3/17/05 at 1:04pm
	One option is to use a blood capsule of some sort that the victim would hold in thier hand. When the get "shot" they would smash the blood capsule against the part of the body they where shot in. Of course this only works if they are shot in an area that looks natural, wouldn't work for shots in the back. I have made simple blood packs by cutting off the corner of a plastic sandwitch bag, filling it wil stage blood, then sealing it up with some tape. The only other option I know of is pyro-technic squibs but you would need a professional to do that safely. Dan
	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 3/17/05 at 2:40pm
	Here's a technique I've been itching to try, but have yet had the opportunity to attempt: With the popularity of "Paintball" booming, I was thinking it might be possible to get blood-red paintballs and load them into the proper dispenser. Since paintball guns look nothing like the real thing, the firing would take place from the wings by a very talented marksman(woman). On cue, the stage gun would "fire" at the same time your paintballer would pelt the victim from a distance. Of course you would need a workable set (with an opening to fire the gun from the correct angle), a VERY trusting actor (wearing appropriate protection under their costume!) , an EXCELLENT shooter (without a criminal record or personal grudge against the actor) and LOTS of rehearsal (with LOTS of paper towels.) Like I said, I don't know of anyone who's ever attempted an effect like this, but -- considering the above factors -- it seems workable. Please be advised that I can neither recommend nor condone this method! But if it works I'd love to hear about it.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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Noname Guest	Posted: 3/17/05 at 3:54pm
	Dan - Thanks. That is certainly simple, and it might be workable. It's the line of thinking we need to go down. Topper - I really appreciate your creativity, but it wouldn't work in our small space. We're not a traditional theatre, but a store front, and we don't have good wing access or sight lines to the stage from off-stage. I'll use your idea when we're brainstorming, tho, and see where it goes. Please keep sharing your ideas, everyone. TIA!
	IP Logged

jtonner Star Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 56	Posted: 3/22/05 at 3:45pm
	The University of Alabama theatre department came up with a squib for use by college and community theatres. It requires a very small charge an piece of thick leather, a plastic bag and a battery operated switch. I have a hand out with full directions in you are interested. John
	John
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Noname05 Walk-On Joined: 3/23/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/23/05 at 11:46am
	Yes; I would love to see the handout. How can I get one? If I pm you my email, can you send it? (I've never used a pm feature.)
	IP Logged

Mike Polo Admin Group Community Theater Green Room Joined: 2/01/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 286	Posted: 3/23/05 at 12:03pm
	jtonner -- Is the handou something that could be copied and posted? We would be happy to put it up on the Green Room (with full attribution, of course...).
	Mike Polo Community Theater Green Room http://www.communitytheater.org
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jtonner Star Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 56	Posted: 3/24/05 at 6:39pm
	I will go through my stuff from the 2004 USITT conference and see what I can find. John
	John
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Topic: Gunshots( Topic Closed)