and studied. We wanted the gunshot effects to be shocking and over the top, yet still realistic. Because of the dangerous nature of using squibs (a blood pack with gun powder and a wire fuse), the challenge was to safely re-create the look a squib provides. My special effects director, Tim Reaper, had to carefully design how to execute this difficult effect using fish tank tubing, safety pins, stage blood, and an air compressor. In the end, the results were stunning, and even though we all saw how the effect was created there were cringes all around when we watched the footage of the fight sequences.
Our overall goal was to make our independent film look like a multi-million dollar Hollywood movie. Once filming began it was important to capture the essence of the “mean streets” of Richmond. We filmed on the Northside and the Highland Park of Richmond, areas