Squibs??

Don't use explosive unless you have some experience of it already. You can make a very effective compressed air system for next to nothing. There are several threads discussing it in detail in the SFX forums.
 
To be safe, you will need both a stunt coordinator and a special effects technician (they can point you to the sources where they can be purchased). Putting an explosive charge (no matter how small) on a person without the proper training is not something that you should even consider doing yourself.
 
What about firecrackers ignited by a rocket engine igniter fuse thing (with a battery)?

They aren't that strong or loud, and should be fairly safe if not used in a vital or sensitive area.

No one has permits in Chinatown or during the normal 4th celebrations. I've had a few go off in my hand accidentally and it was hardly anything. Is it enough force to burst a blood condom?
 
KingVidiot said:
What about firecrackers ignited by a rocket engine igniter fuse thing (with a battery)?

They aren't that strong or loud, and should be fairly safe if not used in a vital or sensitive area.

No one has permits in Chinatown or during the normal 4th celebrations. I've had a few go off in my hand accidentally and it was hardly anything. Is it enough force to burst a blood condom?
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I think it would, but it depends on the firecracker you're using. Most homemade squibs I've encountered don't use a lot of powder (usually an amount slightly less than the fingertip of your pinky).
 
mmm said:
Good site, BUT it isn't that easy!

Notice how he is holding the hose pipe in place? You need to secure it, and that is damn hard - use gaffer tape!

I have used flour in a similar system and then added blood in post.
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The seal breaks really easy on those things. I made two of them recently, and although they work really well, they don't last too long. I didn't even pump them up that much, and the seal still broke.
 
I shot a film last year where we used both powder-actuated squibs and air charged squibs. http://www.bulletsthemovie.com By far the best read on camera was the air squibs. The balance between blood that is too thin and vaporizing and blood that is too thick and oozing is too fine. Unless you have a pyro team on set I would highly recommend against powder charged squibs.
 
If I am not mistaken, the use of explosive squibs is regulate by local, state and federal statutes. I think that the purchase of these devices are restricted to liscensed pyro-technicians (Class III Powderman or higher). Bringing in such a technician might also add the expenses of Fire Marshall involvment, the need for local permits and insurance. This is, however, the safest and most effective way to get the effect done right.

Strapping homemade explosive devices to an actor is asking for trouble. The risk is not from the power of any explosion, but is from the threat of burns. Any **** up with a rig like that would be a liability attorny's wet dream. If you want to keep your house, your car, your filmmaking equipment and everything you will earn in the next 20 years, I would not use home made explosives in proximity to other humans.

Use alternatives (post FX or compressed air) or suck it up and pay a professional.
 
If you have to have squibs, use an air compressor. Look at JHousers comments..that's the way to do it. DON'T USE EXPLOSIVES! IT'S ILLEGAL FOR YOU TO DO IT, DANGEROUS AND ONLY A F**KING IDIOT WOULD DO THIS. Good luck.
 
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