12. Blood Experimenting

 

TASK: Discover the best method for creating realistic looking blood for filming.

 

Below is a video showing the different types of blood which were used for blood experimenting.

 

I experimented with two types of blood as part of the blood experimenting task. The two types of blood were: Thick and realistic looking blood and dripping blood.

Thick, realistic blood:

•  2 tablespoons of honey
• 4 drops of red food colouring
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder

This specific blood proved to be the most realistic, as it was very dark in colour, but not too dark and it had the right amount of thickness. This type of blood would work very well to create wounds and cuts and it is not all runny, so would drip down realistically from the wound or cut. As this proved to be the most successful, I have considered to use it in my film opening. However, I must ensure to use the right amount of each ingredient, otherwise if I use to much of something it may result in being darker or lighter, therefore ensuring I use the right amount of each is important in order to achieve perfect realistic looking blood.

 

Dripping blood:

• 4 drops of red food colouring
• Washing-up liquid

This type of blood proved to be extremely runny and the colour projected a bright red. This blood could perhaps work when someone is laying down and the blood is dripping, however if a person is standing, the blood would drip off too quickly which would make it look unrealistic. I wouldn't personally use this in my film opening, as I would much rather use a thicker and more realistic looking blood. On the other hand, I think I could have added cocoa powder, as this would of perhaps made it slightly thicker and much darker. If this would have worked with cocoa powder, then I believe it would have the right consistency for dripping down walls or even down someone's face. This also would have worked to create a slow-flow of gore.

 

Overall, i found that the 'thick, realistic blood' proved to be the most effective as it was thick and dark, yet still remained looking realistic. However, due to my sub-genre of horror being phychological, i will not be using much blood as psychological horrors are mainly associated with the mind, therefore the mind is perceived to be the only weapon for creating fear and emotional instability. On the other hand, some psychological horrors do incorporate a weapon and some do show blood, however some only show the action of the killing. Similarly, my final scene will show the victim being killed with a knife, however due to filming the back of the killer, there will be no gore on display and the killing still adds to the psychological element of my film opening.