![Behind The Scenes of True Detective: Crafting One of the Most Intense Gunshot VFX on TV 2 l intro 1716566033](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/l-intro-1716566033.jpg?w=1170)
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga shares insights into how one of the most gruesome gunshot sequences in True Detective was brought to life. Actor Charles Halford, portraying Reggie, was equipped with a special “face makeup piece” to ensure the visual aftermath of the gunshot was as realistic as possible. An unloaded revolver was used for the initial shooting scene, which was then followed by a setup using blank rounds. The latter involved “three different kinds of exit material:”
“One was just a black bag full of blood, one was a bag full of brain matter, and one was a bag of like hair and bone. It was pretty nasty. Then, to finish off the shot, Felicity Bowring, our makeup artist, had spent the entire night preparing this prosthetic device that resembled if a sunflower had bloomed inside the actor’s head. It was just disgusting.”
After capturing the chilling outcome with these morbid props, the VFX team smoothed out the shots. Fukunaga then made the artistic choice to show Hart’s reaction, rather than fixating on Reggie’s graphic end. The brief view of Reggie’s destroyed head combined with Hart’s mixed emotions of anger and remorse heightens the scene’s intensity. The audience is given just a glimpse before the story shifts focus to Dewall’s desperate escape and Cohle’s dawning realization of their spiraling situation that may still worsen.
Another hair-raising scene involves Dewall’s death by his own Bouncing Betty mines—devices intended to injure or kill by detonating at the midsection.
FAQ Section:
- Who directed the episode with the brutal gunshot scene?
Cary Joji Fukunaga directed the episode of True Detective with the mentioned gunshot scene.
- What was used to create the effect of the gunshot?
A combination of practical effects including a face makeup piece, blank rounds, and props such as bags filled with fake blood, brain matter, and materials resembling hair and bone. Additionally, a disturbing prosthetic was created by makeup artist Felicity Bowring.
- How did the VFX team contribute to the scene?
The VFX team was involved in smoothing out the shots to create a streamlined trajectory of the scene.
- What was the purpose of cutting to Hart’s face during the scene?
Cutting to Hart’s face served to emphasize the emotional impact over the graphic violence, conveying a mix of fury and regret that added to the intensity of the moment.
- What is a Bouncing Betty mine?
A Bouncing Betty mine is an anti-personnel device designed to detonate at the midsection, causing maiming or death.
Conclusion:
The gunshot sequence in True Detective showcases the collaboration between practical effects, makeup artistry, and VFX to create jaw-dropping moments on screen. Led by director Cary Joji Fukunaga and with meticulous work from makeup artist Felicity Bowring, this scene stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in television. By using a mix of real-life prosthetics and post-production finesse, the team was able to present a moment that was both graphically violent and emotionally compelling, solidifying True Detective’s reputation for poignant, boundary-pushing content.