Dead-character costume

The number, sequence and locations of bullet holes (~50 mm large) on an actor to be shot are first determined. The bullet holes on the fabric are weakened by carefully scoring,[4] grating[5] or plunging a scoring tool[6] from the inside. From a distance, the fabric appears intact. The blast from the squib will rip through the weakened area, creating a frayed look at the same time.

While most clothing can only be used once per take, waterproof jackets or parkas (with a higher initial cost than for instance a shirt) can be reused by wiping off the fake blood between takes and by cutting the bullet holes on the fabric cleanly in a plus (+) or star shape (*) and loosely taped back together on the inside, so no fraying/ripping is caused by the squib. Furthermore, using dry simulants like dust, or down feathers (for the desired stylistic gunshot effect on a down jacket as the outfit worn by the actor), and/or using non-staining simulants like a water-filled "rehearsal pack"[7] instead of the blood mixture for dress rehearsals further reduces the likelihood of staining. Further preparation of down jackets are required, however. The downproof taffeta lining beneath the outer fabric is kept intact to prevent the filling from leaking out. If no taffeta lining is present, then the filling should be repacked in a custom-made downproof "pocket" to maintain the quilted puffer appearance. Inner lining and filling other than down are removed to access the site and to make the area as thin as possible to minimise bulging.[8]

Because of the size and weight of the entire bullet hit squib setup (~75–100 mm/3-4" in diameter, ~25 mm/1" thick, weighing ~30-50g), depending on the weight and thickness of the clothing fabric, it is either taped directly to the inside of the outfit (e.g. jacket)[9] or to the actor (e.g. shirt). On jackets with multiple frontal squibs, the costumer may install an additional zip at the back to allow the actor to slip on the jacket without needing to disturb the squibs.[10] The costumer should also ensure outerwear such as jackets should be zipped up so that it does not recoil during the sequence revealing the blood pack, as well as no gunshot wound on the clothing beneath.

A well-made, low profile bullet hit squib device should not be visible beneath the costume, neither should the pre-scoring of the fabric if it is properly scored. So in practice, the actor can wear the prepared outfit throughout a scene (especially for stage productions) or even the entire day, including lunch breaks,[3] although the power source should only be connected prior to the sequence to avoid accidental triggering. Conversely, the actor can also change into the prepared outfit just before the take, and only show the detonation sequence if duplicates are available. In any case, bullet holes that are visible on the fabric immediately before the squibs explode can also be erased during post-production.[11]

Spent and unspent costumes are kept until post-production is completed, as the director may elect to refilm extra footage.[12] Afterwards, spent costumes can be auctioned as memorabilia, repaired and/or donated, especially with winter coats.[1]