Arrows

Four methods of making arrows appear to fly and to stick into their targets are given here. The techniques explained may also be applied to knives and spears.

Whip pan

This method relies upon camera work, but with suitable sound effects it can seem remarkably convincing. It also has the advantages of supreme simplicity and economy of effort.

An arrow is fixed into its target. (If human, a body-plate with a small tube to hold the arrow is required.) The camera is pointed at a position from whence the arrow is supposed to come. On ‘action’ the camera is panned rapidly across the scene, stopping dead when framed up on the arrow.

Flight line

An aluminium tube provided with flight-feathers is threaded onto a thin nylon line. One end of this line is fastened to the target and the other end is held taut by a length of anchored elastic. The ‘arrow’ may be fired along this line by a hand-held catapult or sling shot. Instead of the customary sling however, the elastic should have a small s-shaped hook which can be inserted into the end of the tube.

To prevent it bouncing back the tube must be provided with a suitable restrainer when it comes to the end of its flight. A nail fastened to the tube can be made to stick into a block of balsa wood for some setups, but this should not be used on an actor as a breaking nylon line would endanger him. A spring loaded trap in the clothing is sometimes used.

Spring-up arrow

An arrow fastened to a body plate and spring-loaded to fly up when released may be used to good effect. Usually this device is operated by the actor himself pulling on a nylon thread. It works well in busy scenes and where actors can spin round as the arrow flies up. It is possible to hide the arrow in the clothing. This technique may also be used where an arrow or spear is apparently shot into a tree or part of the scenery.

Reverse filming

One well-known trick is to pull an arrow out of something and by reversing the film in printing make it appear to be going in. To get a good straight snatch on the arrow it is a good idea to tie it to a light nylon line which has its other end tied to a long length of elastic.

ARROWS

1. Flight line
a, Thin nylon line, b, Tubular arrow, c, Elastic rope. The tree is the target. The elastic rope holds the flight line taut.

2. Firing device
The arrow can be projected along the flight line by an ordinary catapult or sling shot with a hook to insert into the end of the tube.

3. Bounce trap
To prevent a tubular arrow from bouncing back, a simple rubber-washer trap can be set under the actor’s clothing.

4. Fly-up arrow
a. Metal plate, b, Strap, c, Elastic spring, d, Release cord.