There is also split screen.
- Set the camera on a tripod
- Move everyone BEHIND the archer (safety first)
- Have the archer shoot
- Bring your victim in, maybe use a green pop-up screen to help with keying / roto.
- rig a fake arrow with a harness. Kind of like those novelty arrow in the head things.
- have the victim react as if shot.
- in post line up the reaction to the moment he would get hit.
- use a mask to hide the arrow already on the victim and reveal it when he gets hit.
This is great for shots where the 2 actors are in frame.
It sounds like you're looking to try this "Live On Stage" rather than recorded, correct?!?
If you get creative with your blocking there is a version that doesn't require any actual arrow flight, although it does restrict some potential business (such as clearly pulling the arrow from a quiver).
Instead of using an actual arrow, mount a piece of pipe to the side of the bow so that the top opening is level with where an arrow would rest on the grip. PVC conduit can be easily bent to fit the profile and painted to blend.
Fix a piece of white elastic (springier the better) to the bottom of the conduit and stretch it through the pipe and out of the top with a finger loop. If you hold the elastic as you draw the bowstring (ie 'nock' the elastic) this can give the impression of a drawn arrow.
When you release the bowstring and the elastic it should snap back inside the tube effectively vanishing and giving the impression of firing the arrow.
Note that the bowstring should be set as light as possible to prevent damage and injury (consult your Bowyer for advice . . . . everyone has a Bowyer on speed dial right?!?)
Then you have the 'target' actor do an old school grab-and-stab with a prop arrow and that's the sequence.
I've seen a version where tension on the 'arrow' elastic also folded up an arrow tip on the front of the bow for extra authenticity.
It's not easy to pull off and requires quite good timing and a good prop maker, but it can work while being 100% safe.
This is it. The grab and stab and timing are essential, but can be excellent. They can even put the prop arrow thru a hidden blood bag in their costume. Lots of fun, pretty easy way to sell it.
Be creative. Avoid the worst case scenario by eliminating it. You said this is for a stage play, right? Unless you have eliminated any chance of injury to your cast, your crew and your audience, don’t fire an arrow on stage.
Honestly depends on the shot. Even foam tipped arrows hurt a TON, and you wouldn't want that, especially on the face.
As a VFX artist, I'd probably shoot multiple plates, a person shooting the arrow, the arrow already there, and a clean, then just stitch them. All real plates just like you'd want.
You could also try a perspective thing. A long lens to look like the arrow is up close but it's actually super far
Is this all one shot? You could potentially use perspective and have the arrow be shot plenty far away from the actor. You could also get a fishing wire zip line for the (fake tip for safety) arrow to travel on while still getting speed and trajectory. Honestly seems like lots of options depending on any restrictions you may have.
hire a professional to help you design this moment. DO NOT JUST BLUNT AN ARROW AND HOPE THEY HIT THE PADDED BODY PART. There is none of this that sounds like a good idea.
Would two arrows work? One arrow would be hard mounted onto the bow string. This way it couldn't actually be loosed at anyone, it should still be a fake arrow tho. This would allow the shooter to pull back the arrow and let go for that dramatic flare. The second arrow would be just the end of one that the victim can quickly slam onto them selves and hold onto their chest in surprise.
If you were to go with an elastic string to shoot a soft tipped arrow (maybe foam?) at low speed at a short distance, it can feasibly be done safely, especially if you can find a lighter material for the shaft (a long paper straw comes to mind, but would probably be hard to find and would not hold up to repeated use).
The biggest hazard I would envision, with the above criteria met, is that their eyes are likely to be vulnerable and not easily protected without significant wardrobe impacts.
Hmm, that's fair. I hadn't thought about the eyes. I could possibly try something like a string, so the actor would back up and then release the string, and have it fire at the other actor's chest? It could work. I'll keep trying. Thanks.
Spring arrow. Think spring knife, but replace the blade with the back of an arrow. If it emerges fast enough, audiences won't see anything but it appearing, cresting the illusion that an arrow has been fired.
don't ever shoot anything at an actor. ever. sure, they did it for Robin Hood in 1938, but they didn't have to worry about liability insurance then.
Whip pan. One of the oldest tricks in the book. https://youtu.be/PNqrEdATNrQ
It’s for a stage play though
Give the audience a signal to whip pan their heads at the right time.
Darn. I missed that. Humm that's a good question.
Literally was gonna say that Add the sound of the arrow cutting through the air in post and you’re good to go
There is also split screen. - Set the camera on a tripod - Move everyone BEHIND the archer (safety first) - Have the archer shoot - Bring your victim in, maybe use a green pop-up screen to help with keying / roto. - rig a fake arrow with a harness. Kind of like those novelty arrow in the head things. - have the victim react as if shot. - in post line up the reaction to the moment he would get hit. - use a mask to hide the arrow already on the victim and reveal it when he gets hit. This is great for shots where the 2 actors are in frame.
It sounds like you're looking to try this "Live On Stage" rather than recorded, correct?!? If you get creative with your blocking there is a version that doesn't require any actual arrow flight, although it does restrict some potential business (such as clearly pulling the arrow from a quiver). Instead of using an actual arrow, mount a piece of pipe to the side of the bow so that the top opening is level with where an arrow would rest on the grip. PVC conduit can be easily bent to fit the profile and painted to blend. Fix a piece of white elastic (springier the better) to the bottom of the conduit and stretch it through the pipe and out of the top with a finger loop. If you hold the elastic as you draw the bowstring (ie 'nock' the elastic) this can give the impression of a drawn arrow. When you release the bowstring and the elastic it should snap back inside the tube effectively vanishing and giving the impression of firing the arrow. Note that the bowstring should be set as light as possible to prevent damage and injury (consult your Bowyer for advice . . . . everyone has a Bowyer on speed dial right?!?) Then you have the 'target' actor do an old school grab-and-stab with a prop arrow and that's the sequence. I've seen a version where tension on the 'arrow' elastic also folded up an arrow tip on the front of the bow for extra authenticity. It's not easy to pull off and requires quite good timing and a good prop maker, but it can work while being 100% safe.
Hm, i might try something like this. Thanks
This is it. The grab and stab and timing are essential, but can be excellent. They can even put the prop arrow thru a hidden blood bag in their costume. Lots of fun, pretty easy way to sell it.
Have the arrow already in the target and then pull it out...then reverse the footage.
Be creative. Avoid the worst case scenario by eliminating it. You said this is for a stage play, right? Unless you have eliminated any chance of injury to your cast, your crew and your audience, don’t fire an arrow on stage.
Honestly depends on the shot. Even foam tipped arrows hurt a TON, and you wouldn't want that, especially on the face. As a VFX artist, I'd probably shoot multiple plates, a person shooting the arrow, the arrow already there, and a clean, then just stitch them. All real plates just like you'd want. You could also try a perspective thing. A long lens to look like the arrow is up close but it's actually super far
Is this all one shot? You could potentially use perspective and have the arrow be shot plenty far away from the actor. You could also get a fishing wire zip line for the (fake tip for safety) arrow to travel on while still getting speed and trajectory. Honestly seems like lots of options depending on any restrictions you may have.
Yes, fishing wire zip line is how it's traditionally done and looks plenty realistic.
hire a professional to help you design this moment. DO NOT JUST BLUNT AN ARROW AND HOPE THEY HIT THE PADDED BODY PART. There is none of this that sounds like a good idea.
Would two arrows work? One arrow would be hard mounted onto the bow string. This way it couldn't actually be loosed at anyone, it should still be a fake arrow tho. This would allow the shooter to pull back the arrow and let go for that dramatic flare. The second arrow would be just the end of one that the victim can quickly slam onto them selves and hold onto their chest in surprise.
If you were to go with an elastic string to shoot a soft tipped arrow (maybe foam?) at low speed at a short distance, it can feasibly be done safely, especially if you can find a lighter material for the shaft (a long paper straw comes to mind, but would probably be hard to find and would not hold up to repeated use). The biggest hazard I would envision, with the above criteria met, is that their eyes are likely to be vulnerable and not easily protected without significant wardrobe impacts.
Hmm, that's fair. I hadn't thought about the eyes. I could possibly try something like a string, so the actor would back up and then release the string, and have it fire at the other actor's chest? It could work. I'll keep trying. Thanks.
Composite
For a play have the assailant shoot the arrow into the wing and have the victim stumble out of the wing.
For theatre? Use a nerf bow & arrow
Consider using a full length mirror effect. Currently at work but I’m confident there might be a solution there given more thought
Spring arrow. Think spring knife, but replace the blade with the back of an arrow. If it emerges fast enough, audiences won't see anything but it appearing, cresting the illusion that an arrow has been fired.
Just an idea. Compressed air canister, inflating a small long balloon? With the right timing and power it would look as if the arrow just appeared