The Secrets Behind Bullet Holes in Movies: How They're Made and Holes in Vehicles

Have you ever wondered how filmmakers create realistic bullet holes in movie scenes? This fascinating process involves a combination of practical effects and, in some cases, CGI. In this article, we will explore the methods used to make realistic bullet holes in sheet metal and windshields, as well as the techniques used in car scenes that often show damage from gunfire.

Practical Effects for Bullet Holes in Sheet Metal

When it comes to practical effects in movies, one of the more common tasks involves creating realistic bullet holes in sheet metal. To achieve this, filmmakers often use a bullet dimpler, which is a small hole drilled in the sheet metal where the bullet will appear to hit. For windshields and back glass, which are almost always laminated, specialized equipment is used. These can include a trunnion gun setup or a pneumatic gun, depending on the specific requirements.

To make the holes more realistic, a small amount of stearic acid is applied. The stearic acid helps the hole look more like it was made by a bullet rather than a drill. In recent years, many practical effects teams have transitioned to using Tippman paintball guns, which are cost-effective and versatile. However, the tools and techniques created earlier by these teams are often considered more impressive and sexier in terms of visual appeal.

All of these images and techniques are documented and showcased by Matt Sweeney, a well-known expert in practical effects.

Practical Effects for Bullet-Scarred Vehicles

When a scene requires a previously bullet-ridden vehicle, and the producers are not planning to film the damage occurring, other methods must be employed. Air chisels are a popular choice for creating realistic bullet holes in the metal. These tools can punch holes that, when photographed, look indistinguishable from actual bullet impact.

Other times, producers may opt for a different approach. They can punch holes in a door or side panel, then fill the holes with pre-made bullet impacts using paintball guns. The use of squibs, which are tiny explosive charges, is also common. Squibs are placed over preformed holes, then covered and blended into the surface to create a natural look.

For additional realism, filmmakers often use lookalike cars made specifically for the scenes. These cars may have certain parts modified to include air pistons that can be activated, making it appear that a specific part is damaged without needing to necessitate the presence of the actual bullet holes.

Techniques for Shiny Bullet Traces

In scenes where you see bright, shiny bullet traces on the ground, filmmakers use a paintball gun loaded with hollow balls containing the same material found in 4th of July ground snaps. This creates the metallic, glowing effect often seen in action scenes. Of course, with the rapid advancements in CGI, many of these practical effects are now replaced with digital recreations for budget and convenience reasons.

Overall, the combination of practical effects and CGI has made it possible for filmmakers to create realistic and impactful bullet hole scenes, immersing viewers in the excitement and drama of action movies.