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(Editor’s note: this report from John Hensel, EMP Development Team, gives us a
behind-the-scenes look at team member Dale Jestice’s efforts to make our video scenarios look “real”.)
EMP has always prided itself on continuously improving
the quality of the scenarios in our video programs. MEDIC FIRST AID Basic,
Version 5.0, the newest edition of our cornerstone CPR/first aid program,
is no exception. Having a specialist in makeup and props on staff has
certainly helped toward that goal.
 Trained in Blood and Gore
EMP hired Dale Jestice just two years ago. We did so because of his experience in media
production. Before long, we discovered he was also a makeup artist and prop designer. He had trained under an
expert who specialized in horror effects. Dale never expected to find a place where his talents in blood and
gore could be put to good use. Luckily for him, and for EMP, he has found just such a place.
Realistic Bleeding Segment
When EMP produced the Control of Bleeding segment
in 1997 for the Mark IV program, a tube with a bulbous end was taped to
an actor's arm. When the bulb was squeezed, blood spurted out the hidden
tube onto the arm. This was difficult to do. The technique quickly made
a real mess! It got much more blood on the arm than was realistic or necessary
for the type of injury we were featuring in the segment.
In our new MEDIC FIRST AID Basic, Version 5.0 program’s Control of Bleeding segment, Dale
was able to use less blood flow while maintaining the look of an arterial injury. This prevents the drama of the
event from overshadowing the skills being demonstrated by the on-screen rescuers. This time the effect was created
with special blood flow tubing hidden under a custom colored wax makeup placed on the actress’s bare leg. The makeup
was carefully matched to the patient’s skin color. The trick is to blend the edges of the fake injury into the real
skin to make it look natural. This was crucial in this scene because the injury is on an exposed leg.
Team Effort
Once the makeup was in place, team effort was required
to pull off the shot. Sound, camera, medical advisor, and makeup artist
had to work together to create a crimson ballet. All for a few seconds
of finished video!
From a stomach bruise indicating internal bleeding,
to a face that appears to have kissed a windshield, to the pale hue of
a cardiac patient’s face, makeup adds that extra element of depth and
interest to our programs.
Break a Leg
Perhaps the most attention-getting scenario in
MFA Basic, Version 5.0 is the injured limb scene. This was shot in a lumberyard.
In this scenario a worker’s leg is crushed between a pallet of wood and
an oncoming load of lumber carried by a forklift. Strange as it may seem,
we could not find an actor willing to have his leg mangled. So, two props
taking the form of a set of fake legs were created. It was challenging
to find the right combination of bone-like stiffness and muscular softness
to simulate a real leg. Once again the development team put their heads
together and decided the legs needed to move just a little before impact
to look more like a pair of real legs. A subtle sound effect resembling
a cracking bone was added to round out the realism. Just the right bone-crushing
effect was achieved by combining the sound of breaking plywood with an
unusual vocal effect. You may have a hard time hearing this effect in
a classroom setting. From what we’ve heard, the effect is drowned out
by the sound of the viewers saying “Ouch!”
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