Low-tech gore effects for student film (Update with results)

Scosglen · October 2009

We're working on a project that involves at least one furry plush type stuffed animal to be run over by a car and explode in a pile of meat gore and blood. We're going for super over-the-top campy. Bonus points if the ingredients are safe for dogs to eat.

We're thinking about gutting the stuffing out of the thing and filling it with ground beef, chopped liver, maybe some kind of ghetto blood-squibs if we can swing it.

Recipe ideas or suggestions for good effects to try very welcome.

StormCrow420 · October 2009

I would recommend stuffing the animal with beef liver, rolled in brown flour, with a few condoms filled with a bbq sauce/egg/water solution. Not sure if the ASPCA would approve but it won't hurt the dog.

Dr. Frenchenstein · October 2009

Karo Syrup and red food coloring makes for some thick blood. I don't know if that amount of sugar would hurt a dog though.

you could probably do water/cornstarch/food coloring, that might be safer. I don't know the ratios though. i think you just keep adding til it looks right.

EggyToast · October 2009

To make it look "realistic," I'd suggest having two stuffed animals that are identical, and using the 'normal' one until the big explosion scene. Otherwise it'll likely look soggy and limp, potentially damp, which might ruin the surprise of the meaty explosion.

Here's how you'd want to do the blood. Since it'll be around various meat products, you might have an easier time of it, too.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2191707_thicken-fake-blood.html

Note that it might be hilarious if you include a brick of spam and other highly recognizeable meats (bacon), depending on just how silly you want to be.

powerss · October 2009

Revision3 has an awesome show - Film Riot - that has everything you need.

Improvolone · October 2009

The problem you're going to run into is that in order to get something to explode, it needs to be pressurised (a balloon is an easy goto). You can also literally explode it and fake the shot to match the action. You rig the prop with explosives, ,set a tire on top of it, explode it, and edit the shot in.
Hell, fire meat from an air cannon.

CycloneRanger · October 2009

Improvolone wrote: »

The problem you're going to run into is that in order to get something to explode, it needs to be pressurised (a balloon is an easy goto). You can also literally explode it and fake the shot to match the action. You rig the prop with explosives, ,set a tire on top of it, explode it, and edit the shot in.
Hell, fire meat from an air cannon.

Using real explosives risks deflating the tire. It'll also be hard to get it to behave appropriately without it being attached to something really heavy.

Of course, I think it'd be hilarious if the event destroyed the tire in your actual film—hanging a lampshade on the old "meatsplosion" trope—but if you're not going for comedy you'll have to be careful.

Improvolone · October 2009

Yea, put if you are using a piece of shit tire picked up from a junk yard, its okay if it gets destroyed. Editing in a close up shot over this tire would be my approach.

ninzorjons · October 2009

Even though its not dog safe, after many trial and error I found that the easiest way to make a really good thick, and dark fake blood was to simply use...chocolate syrup and red food coloring. Easy as that. I've tried with different amount of karo syrup and waters and blah blah but when it comes down to it straight up Nestle chocolate syrup and red food coloring did a FANTASTIC job whenever I needed.

Improvolone · October 2009

Chocolate syrup is blood in black and white movies.
To thicken karo though, you could try blending in flour or boiling it down.

edit: I've also used chocolate powder to thicken karo blood. It tasted amazing too.