How-to Horror: Blood FX 101

Spatula getting a face full of blood spray

The one thing lacking from most mainstream movies is good blood spray, preferably hitting other actors, making neat patterns on the walls, or covering the lens.  Hookman: Redemption will of course have good blood spray.  But how do we do it? It's easy! 


Today we'll teach you the simple way to get quality blood spray for under $10, in no time at all!


The first thing you need is a sick sense of humor. This cannot be bought or obtained, you must be born weird.  Then, these items:
- A turkey baster 
- A couple feet of plastic tubing 
- Corn syrup
- Red food coloring
You should be able to find all of these at a grocery store, except the plastic tubing.  It's typically less than a dollar per foot at home improvement stores (Hookman Top Tip: plastic tubing is free if stolen off of IV drip bags in hospitals!)


Next we'll deal with assembly. Mix a bottle of red food coloring with 16oz of corn syrup. Add about 2 oz. of water to dilute it somewhat for easier spraying. Then jam the plastic tubing onto the end of the turkey baster (electrical tape might help secure it if it's not a perfect fit). Pour some fake blood into the turkey baster, stick the end of the tubing where you want blood to spray from, and you're ready to rock!


As you can see here, we wanted blood to spurt from this hook-hat, so the tube ran up Jimmy's back and up to the tip of the hook-hat.  All he has to do is squeeze the bulb and blood shoots out.

This is the correct face to be making while spraying blood for optimal effect, and fun!

Other ideas for blood tube placement are:
- under clothes
- inside pumpkins
- behind your car
- behind the showerhead
- fridge
- toilet
- your desk at work
- in "the cloud"


It may take you a few tries to get the blood to spray properly.  Try practicing on a friend who doesn't mind being sprayed. It's better if you have a relative who feels compelled to be shot with blood in order to complete a movie.  Just mock up a video camera and go to town!


Here is a look at what it took to get the effect right on the set of Hookman: Redemption. Enjoy!