Making cuts

Experimenting with making open wounds (using the fake blood in the previous post)

How to make 'gory wounds':

1.) Smear liquid latex onto the desired area, in the desired shape using a cotton bud.

2.) Using a toothpick, make a rut in the latex to mark where the gash will open.

3.) Wait for the latex to dry. Use a toothpick to poke into the sides of the rut to open the cut and curl up the sides a little. Allow to air dry again.

4.) Using the stipple sponge, apply purple make up to create bruising. Rub in a little using a cotton bud.

5.) Lightly brush the stipple sponge over the latex to create a dry/torn skin look.

6.) Add the fake blood using a toothpick to get the liquid underneath the latex and then a cotton bud to add more.

This was made using the peanut butter fake blood. It looked more realistic out of the four wounds I created on my arm.

This was the less realistic splatter blood. It looks more like tomato ketchup than blood and was too watery.

This wound was created using the chocolate sauce. It was a better shade than the last one but still too runny to use on cuts.
This type of fake blood is definitely better for splatter blood.

The blood gel is too red and unrealistic. It was a good consistency but cannot be used as splatter blood because of the cost implications.

Equipment used:

Cotton buds,

Liquid Latex,

Purple eyeshadow,

Stipple sponge,

Toothpicks,

Fake blood/ blood gel

The only bad thing about using the latex was peeling it off at the end... it really hurt...

Fake Blood

How to Make Fake Blood

To make the opening to our horror film "Hallowed" (working title) more realistic, I have experimented with a variety of fake blood to use as make up for mise-en-scene.
Most of the blood would be used as splatter blood, but a thicker version may be needed to create scratches and cuts.
The blood gel I experimented with was an unrealistic shade. The following could be made cheaply and would be easy to replicate (so we wouldn't run out).


1. Use smooth peanut butter and slowly mix in golden syrup until the desired consistency is reached.
2. Slowly add single drops of red food colouring until the mixture is dark red.
3. Add chocolate sauce to make the blood darker.
4. If you want a thicker mixture, add corn starch (in small amounts).

I found this mixture better to use on cuts rather than as splatter blood (which is what we need the most). I found the colour and consistency more
realistic than the others.

1. Combine one part water with three parts golden syrup.
2. Add red food colouring and stir gently. Keep adding more red food colouring and a drop of blue to make the shade more realistic.
3. Add either sifted flour or chocolate sauce to thicken the mixture.
4. Leave in a warm environment until thick enough.

I found the shade too red to be real but that's because I added flour to thicken it rather than chocolate sauce. The consistency would make good splatter blood.

1. Combine golden syrup with red food colouring until it resembles real blood.
2. Add a small amount of cocoa powder to darken the shade.
3. To thin the blood slowly add water
OR
3. Thicken the blood with pinches of flour and carefully mix in.

This mixture looks more like real blood and would also make good splatter blood- the consistency can be changed easily.

Halloween

The opening to Halloween (Made in 1978 by John Carpenter) displays many conventions of the horror genre, this is shown through the use of mise-en-scene, edits, camera angles and sound.

The shot fades in as a P.O.V. showing a large white house surrounded in darkness and shadows cast by the trees. A lantern is placed in the downstairs window implying that it is Halloween. A steadicam is used to show the characters steady descent upon the house, implying that he is calm and knows what he is doing. The only sound heard is crickets and an owl hooting which creates a calm atmosphere, that seems to peaceful for a horror movie.

As the camera pans around the house the pumpkin lantern comes into view followed by voices of two characters from within. This suggests that they are going to be the victims, a typical conventions is the romance between the two teenagers and their unawareness of the stalker that is outside. In the foreground is a translucent net curtain through which the stalker is watching them. Surrounding the victims is more darkness which would suggest danger. Inside the house is a typical living room which creates realism in the shot which makes the opening more believable.

After the teenagers leave the shot the camera moves right then left, possibly searching for an entrance, he then moves around the front of the house, the camera pans up to the second floor of the house. The light turns off, showing the teenager's whereabouts. Music plays to indicate a threat and the interest of the stalker.

The camera starts to move at a faster pace round the building, showing the character's process of entering the house and his urgency to get inside. Everything is dark at the back of the house which builds up more tension. The ringing continues which suggests a threat that is about to follow. After the character enters the house, a piano is added playing a chilling repetitive beat. The pace slows down to indicate that the character is creeping through the house. After the light

turns on a hand appears that reaches for a drawer and takes out a long sharp knife which is held at a stabbing angle. The emphasis on the knife is created by the slow pace he pulls it out of the drawer. Still in a minor key the music becomes more surreal, the camera matches this with a Steadicam which creates an eerie atmosphere.

Preliminary Task