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Just learned why that fake blood I've been using always looks wrong on camera | Filmmaking Props - HW Forums

Just learned why that fake blood I've been using always looks wrong on camera

I was reading a thread from a gaffer on a horror film set in Atlanta and he said most indie props people buy the cheap corn syrup blood from party stores. He pointed out the issue is the opacity. Real blood is semi-translucent on skin but those store bottles look like thick paint. He said the secret is adding a tiny amount of black food coloring to cut the brightness and using a water based mix instead. I spent $4 on a bottle of dark red food dye and a splash of dish soap last night and my test really looked way more real on my phone camera. Has anyone else figured out a cheap formula that doesn't stain fabric permanently?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra7155mo ago

You said "real blood is semi-translucent on skin" but that's exactly why I think the cheap party store stuff works better for most indie horror folks. Here's my reasoning - real blood might look translucent in person but on camera with that harsh LED lighting everyone uses these days, it gets washed out and looks more like tomato juice than anything scary. The thick paint-like consistency actually holds up better under bright lights and reads as blood to the audience without them questioning it. Plus that water based mix you made? I tried something similar and it dripped everywhere, ran into my eyes during a scene, and looked like I was sweating red Kool-Aid by take three. The permanent staining is actually a bonus in my book because it means the effect stays consistent through multiple takes without needing reapplied.

holly_gonzalez615mo ago

Dug out an old bottle of that corn syrup stuff from my Halloween stash last week and tried diluting it with a splash of unsweetened tea to thin it out and add some brown tones. Surprisingly it looked halfway decent on my laptop camera but attracted ants within like ten minutes because I forgot about the sugar content. Ended up having to reshoot half a scene while my buddy swatted bugs away from my collar. Ever had wildlife crash a shoot because of your prop choices?