In movies how are gunshots with blood done, such as a headshots?

Question

Im just wondering, i was watching the godfather and scarface and started to think about it. anyone know?

Answer 1

...in master make-artist Tom Savini's best-selling do-it-yourself make-up book, entitled "Grand Illusions", he describes a real simple way of doing headshots; make up the bullet head shot first (...charged blood tubing, for a blood-spurting effect, is optional), tie/attach a length of invisible line to a flattened piece of mortician's wax, apply the patch over the bullet headshot, and meld/flush/make up the patch, to match the rest of the forehead. Then, when the camera is rolling, and you get to the point where the gun shot is supposed to take place, you quickly pull on the invisible line, attached to the mortician's wax, pump the blood through the tubing (...if you chose to use this effect)....and presto; simulated gunshot wound to the head...with the real actor, no less!!!

...I actually tried this effect once, and with a little creative camouflage (i.e., some strategically placed strings of the person's hair, draped slightly over the wound effect area), as well as some strategic film editing, the effect came off pretty decent...

Answer 2

They are exploding parts filled with a substance that looks like blood. Head shots are usually done on dummies. Believe it or not, they can make wax dummies look pretty real... complete with moving mechanical parts. Gun shots to the body are simple enough. The actor wears a little exploding bag that explodes remotely...

Answer 3

blood pellets that are triggered to explode.