Fake Blood

Incorporating fake blood is crucial for this film's opening. Making it look realistic is not an easy task, as it can appear corny and unrealistic if it doesn't come out properly. Maverick will open the film while watching the news, with blood covering multiple parts of his body. We also want to make it apparent that he has been bleeding for a while by adding dry blood to other parts of his body. Depending on how it looks, maybe a band-aid or 2 can also show that he has been bleeding for a while. As soon as Dr. Mueller announces the news, he will immediately understand where the bleeding is coming from. The blood will be seen as a side effect of the drug and will emphasize the severity of the side effects Maverick will be dealing with throughout the duration of the film.

Another creative idea suggested by Jalin during class was coughing up blood. Mixing red food coloring with water and other ingredients. This video has many great and inexpensive ideas which we will likely be using. Maverick would cough, displayed through a close up. The following shot would be a close up of the water and food coloring mix stained on Maverick's clothes. This is another unique way of emphasizing the severity of the sickness, and not only that, but it reduces the risk of unprofessional looking shots.

The low-key lighting in Maverick's room is a great way to intensify the mood. Maverick will be watching the news at night or in a dark room. This detail adds a "something is wrong" feeling to the mood and further develops the tone. Although the lighting has nothing to do with the injury itself, it makes the viewer feel uncomfortable, which is the aim of the opening scene.

The other big mise-en-scene element in Mavericks house is his laptop, which he will be researching on. Below is some inspiration we have for Mavericks' blood. 

  (Hand won't be dirty)

References:

Mishra, S. (2023, July 20). “All that for a drop of blood”: Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man drawing blood from Thanos is not the most powerful moment of Tony Stark in MCU. FandomWire. https://fandomwire.com/all-that-for-a-drop-of-blood-robert-downey-jr-s-iron-man-drawing-blood-from-thanos-is-not-the-most-powerful-moment-of-tony-stark-in-mcu/

Real Fake Blood Films. (2014, October 28). DIY fake blood tutorial CHEAP & EASY! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_3nOQxRBas 

Stack Exchange user. (n.d.). How could Thanos bleed red during a fight with Iron Man? Color of his blood is purple in Guardians of the Galaxy. Movies StackExchange. https://movies.stackexchange.com/questions/92249/how-could-thanos-bleed-red-during-a-fight-with-iron-man-color-of-his-blood-is-p