Theatrical blood

Theatrical blood
Fake blood on a human arm.

Theatrical blood or stage blood is anything used as a substitute for blood in a theatrical or cinematic performance. For example, in the special effects industry, when a director needs to simulate an actor being shot or cut, a wide variety of chemicals and natural products can be used. The most common is red food coloring, often inside small balloons coupled with explosive devices called squibs. Alfred Hitchcock famously used Bosco Chocolate Syrup as fake blood in his 1960 thriller Psycho.[1] Since the film was in black-and-white, the color was less important than the consistency.

Contents

Reasons for use

There are many reasons for substituting for real blood in the film industry, such as ethical and sanitary concerns, and concerns for the emotional well being of the actors. Also, actual blood's tendency to coagulate and solidify quickly make it unsuitable for repeated takes without freshening; the longer-lasting viscosity of stage blood makes it far easier to work with on the set.

Kensington Gore

"Kensington Gore" (a pun on the London street) was a trademark for fake blood used in films and in theatre. It was manufactured by a retired British pharmacist, John Tynegate, during the 1960s and 1970s, in the village of Abbotsbury, Dorset. Many varieties of blood, having various degrees of viscosity, shades and textures were available. Since Tynegate's death, the name "Kensington Gore" has become a generic term for stage blood. Kensington Gore was used in the film The Shining. Director Stanley Kubrick had several thousand gallons of it gushing out of an opening elevator during the elevator door scene.

Other uses

Theatrical blood has many other applications apart from its use in the film industry.

The crime scene investigation science of bloodstain pattern analysis uses stage blood or sometimes cow's blood in mock-up crime scenes when training new investigators.[2]

The art of Moulage uses theatrical blood in applying mock injuries for the purpose of training Emergency Response Teams and other medical and military personnel.

Theatrical blood is also popularly used in Halloween costumes.

See also

References

External links



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Blood substitute — A blood substitute (also called artificial blood or blood surrogates) is a substance used to mimic and fulfill some functions of biological blood, usually in the oxygen carrying sense. They aim to provide an alternative to blood transfusion,… …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Creek — Theatrical release poster Directed by Joel Schumacher Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Diamond (film) — Blood Diamond Theatrical release poster Directed by Edward Zwick Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Relations (play) — Blood Relations is a psychological murder mystery by Sharon Pollock. The play is based on historical fact and speculation surrounding the life of Lizzie Borden and the murders of her father and stepmother, crimes with which Borden was charged.… …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Orange Media — creates and produces programming that spans travel, historical, lifestyle, human interest, business and world culture genres. Founded by Simone Ahuja in 2003, Blood Orange is based inMinneapolis, USA and Bombay, India with affiliate producers and …   Wikipedia

  • Blood and Bones — Japanese Theatrical release poster Directed by Yoichi Sai Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • Blood of the Dragon (film) — Blood of the Dragon Theatrical release poster Traditional 追命槍 …   Wikipedia

  • Blood: The Last Vampire — For the 2009 live action adaptation of this film, see Blood: The Last Vampire (2009 film). Blood: The Last Vampire Japanese poster for Blood: The Last Vampire Genre Action, Horror …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Simple — Infobox Film name = Blood Simple image size = caption = Theatrical release poster director = Joel Coen Ethan Coen (uncredited) producer = Ethan Coen Joel Coen (uncredited) writer = Joel Coen Ethan Coen narrator = starring = John Getz Frances… …   Wikipedia

  • Blood Bath — This article is about the 1966 horror film produced by Roger Corman. For the 1971 Italian horror directed by Mario Bava, see Twitch of the Death Nerve . For the death metal band, see Bloodbath.Infobox Film name = Blood Bath caption = Detail from… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”