Bullet Effects on People

‘Walking toward the window, the man is suddenly riddled with bullets.’ So might the studio directions appear in a script. But to achieve such human destruction the effects designer must employ protective devices to ensure that he does not injure the actor playing the part.

Bullet plates

These are metal plates designed to protect performers who are to be subjected to bullet hits. The plates worn under clothing, must be sufficiently thick to absorb the shock of the explosion and formed in such a way that no part of the person’s body can be in line with the shrapnel effect caused by the exploding plastic case.

Bullet hits usually occur (dramatically) in the chest or shoulder and consequently the most difficult areas to protect are the underside of the face and the insides of the arms. Designs for bullet plates must take this into consideration. Usually it is wise to ensure that an overhang of the metal plate adequately shields the face, however far forward the actor inclines and that the arms are protected by costume sleeves of suitable thickness.

Blood

Bullet hits on the body must first rupture the clothing and then produce a flow of blood. To do so the bullet hit must be positioned just under the clothing. The blood comes from a rubber sac (a balloon will do) placed behind the bullet hit. It is a mistake to place the bullet hit behind the blood sac as this usually prevents the clothing from rupturing.

Operation

It is quite feasible for an actor to detonate bullet hits on his own body by having a switch secreted in some part of his clothing. This method does, however, sometimes cause the actor to react prematurely. It is generally better if the effect can be operated out of shot. Wires down the trousers terminating in a small two-pin connector can be coupled to a line on the floor.

Viewpoint

It is not easy to show both the gun being fired and the bullets striking the body in the same frame unless the gun too is wired up and fired simultaneously with the bullet hits.

A pyrofuse and black powder charge in the gun barrel suffice for a single shot.

BULLET EFFECTS ON PEOPLE

1. Bullet plate
The piate is so designed that the body, particularly the underside of the chin and face, is completely shielded from flying pieces of plastic detonator, a, Plastic foam padding, b, Metal bullet plate, c, Shielded hole to accommodate bullet hit.

2. Bullet plate with large blood sac
a, Metal plate, b, Strap, c, Nylon cord, d, Actor’s clothing, e, Blood sac. f, Plastic foam.

3. Alternative version
This type uses plastic foam instead of the shielded hole to trap the flying debris, a, Blood capsules, b, Plastic foam, c, Metal plate, d, Bullet hit.