Theatrical blood
Theatrical blood, stage blood or fake blood is anything used as a substitute for blood in a theatrical or cinematic performance. For example, when a director needs to simulate an actor being shot or cut in the special effects industry, various chemicals and natural products can be used. The most common is red food coloring, often inside small balloons coupled with explosive devices called squibs.
Reasons for use
There are many reasons for substituting stage blood 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 makes it unsuitable for repeated takes without freshening; the longer-lasting viscosity of stage blood makes it far easier to work with on the set.
Typical recipe
Fired squibs on a costume, spilling fake blood containing water, cherry sauce, red food coloring, and an opacifier.
Fake blood generally consists of some or all of the following in various ratios (some ingredients render the solution inedible):
- Primary ingredients ==
- Red food coloring as the main color
- Water as the base
- Secondary ingredients
- Color modifiers
- Blue and yellow food coloring to darken the hue. Opacifiers, such as titanium dioxide, render blood opaque.
- Viscosity enhancers
- Thickening agents, such as corn starch, flour, or xanthan gum, which require heating and may also act as an opacifier
- Corn syrup (or plain syrup)
- Tomato ketchup, chocolate syrup, and cherry or strawberry topping sauce, which also add solid 'chunks' to the texture and deepens the red
- Glycerine provides a glossy, wet appearance
- Other additives
- Dishwashing liquid, powder or laundry detergent to prevent the blood from beading and staining
- Preservatives such as sodium benzoate if the solution is to be stored for some time
- Most recipes may cause staining, so they should be tested in advance and the wardrobe washed promptly after use.
In the 1960 film Psycho, Bosco Chocolate Syrup was used as fake blood. Since the film was black and white, color was less important than consistency.
Kensington Gore
"Kensington Gore" (a pun on the London place and street) was a trademark for fake blood used in films and theatre. It was manufactured by a retired British pharmacist, John Tinegate or 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 Tinegate's death, "Kensington Gore" has become a generic term for stage blood. Kensington Gore was used in the film The Shining.
Other uses
Theatrical blood has 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.
- The art of moulage involves applying theatrical blood to mock injuries to train emergency response teams and other medical and military personnel.
- Theatrical blood is also popularly used in Halloween costumes and haunted attractions such as haunted houses to portray injury, shot/stab wounds or special effects looks for cosmetic entertainment. It is also used in certain horror-themed live-action role-playing games.
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