Introduction: Decapitation Effect
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About: Indy Mogul is the network dedicated to DIY filmmakers and film lovers alike. Our first show, Backyard FX, is a creative and funny 'how-to' guide for making film effects on the cheap. New episode every Monday. …
There comes a time in every filmmaker's life when he needs to lop off a head. When I was a kid, I'd cut the camera and replace heads with basketballs, but this is Erik Beck from Indy Mogul we're taking out, so you know things are going to get messy. Cuddle up close to your styrofoam heads, jugs of fake blood, and stunt dummies, and enjoy. You'll need the effects from our Limb Tear, Fake Heads, andBlood Shooter episodes to do this one.
Check out the Video!
You'll Need:
1. test dummy
2. fake head (we used styrofoam)
3. foam
4. liquid latex (preferably in a skin color)
5. garden sprayer
6. valve
7. 6 bottles of food coloring
8. balloon
Check out the Video!
You'll Need:
1. test dummy
2. fake head (we used styrofoam)
3. foam
4. liquid latex (preferably in a skin color)
5. garden sprayer
6. valve
7. 6 bottles of food coloring
8. balloon
Step 1: The Head
Cut the neck off of the Styrofoam head, and hollow out the head.
Make some fake skin out of some foam and liquid latex (we used a skin color). Attach this piece to the top of the neck, make sure it measures up to fit into the head (but do not connect them).
Cut out a hole through the neck, for the fake blood to come through.
Cover the rest of the head and neck with more of the liquid latex, to make it look like skin.
Next cover the inside of the neck and the head (where the two will be separated) with red paint.
Then using some basic make up and some plastic eyes, give the head more detail
Make some fake skin out of some foam and liquid latex (we used a skin color). Attach this piece to the top of the neck, make sure it measures up to fit into the head (but do not connect them).
Cut out a hole through the neck, for the fake blood to come through.
Cover the rest of the head and neck with more of the liquid latex, to make it look like skin.
Next cover the inside of the neck and the head (where the two will be separated) with red paint.
Then using some basic make up and some plastic eyes, give the head more detail
Step 2: The Blood
Fill the garden sprayer with a little bit of four, 6 bottles of red food coloring and about 2 1/2 gallons of water.
Mix it up, and you've got a ton of blood.
Mix it up, and you've got a ton of blood.
Step 3: The Set Up
Attach the garden sprayer to the valve, which attaches to a nozzle, which is attached to a red ballon.
Put the nozzle and tube up through the clothed test dummy. Attach the neck piece, so that the balloon is on top. Then put on the head on and make sure the balloon is inside the cavity you dug out of it.
Then, pump the garden sprayer, and the balloon should inflate with the fake blood. When you decapitate the head, the balloon will explode and fake blood should fly everywhere.
Put the nozzle and tube up through the clothed test dummy. Attach the neck piece, so that the balloon is on top. Then put on the head on and make sure the balloon is inside the cavity you dug out of it.
Then, pump the garden sprayer, and the balloon should inflate with the fake blood. When you decapitate the head, the balloon will explode and fake blood should fly everywhere.
Step 4: Conclusion
This is an excellent way to execute this amazing and bloody effect for under $50. And I promise you will get awesome results for your Indy film!