How to Make a Fake Knife Stab Look Real on Film

[vnguyen972]

Hi, we are planning for the upcoming DV short and I was wondering how to make a knife stab look real. We want to have the knife sticking on the body parts (neck or head)... we don't even know how to begin with? Is it even possible? If it is, how could we make it as realistic as possible?

Thank you.

 

[tyguy2021]

You could use a knife where the blade slides into the handle, you could rotoscope a blade onto a knife handle or you could use clever editing and filming to have the stabbing take place without ever showing it.

 

[vnguyen972]

Hey there, thanks for your reply. Do you happen to know where they sell these kinds of knife? I am in need of one for our upcoming production.

Thank you.

 

[tyguy2021]

I don't, they sell them a lot around Halloween, but that's a long time to wait. I will look around the web for you.

 

[vnguyen972]

Thanks again! I'll do the same too but if you could find something that looks most realistic as possible... you are my HERO

 

[tyguy2021]

www.halloweenplus.com/index.cfm?Pag...y=1800&Sub_Category=1870&Product_Number=16055
Looks ok, probably better ones out there.

 

[vnguyen972]

Thank you... this looks good enough!

 

[Dr. Hannibal Lecter]

Kinfe hit.

Kinfe hit.

You can go to the 99 cent store and pick up some real knives, 3 or 4 of the same knife. They are crappy but that's ok. Dull the blade with a Dremel. Cut off different lengths of the blade, add tubing to the front edge. Now show the person stabbing at the head, then cut to a reaction from the killer or the victim. Then use the first blade and pump blood through the tubing. Then cut to the next and so on.

 

[Kim Welch]

This is a good low-budget technique. Building a retractable or shortened prop knife from inexpensive knives is how many indie films handle stab effects. Please keep safety first: dull every edge, test it, and rehearse slowly with your actors before shooting.