I’m sure we’ve all seen quite a few films with scenes where a person or character uses a bag to fake suffocation. I have to admit, it always looks so real and there’s something genuinely scary about it when done right. In this blog post, I’ll be taking you through how exactly filmmakers go about getting this effect.
First things first, the bag used in a scene like this will often be a medically approved bag. It will be made from a material that won’t suffocate the person in the scene, so it can be used multiple times without risking the actor’s safety. Any actor in a scene involving suffocation with a bag – no matter the size – will be taking a risk letting themselves be comfortable enough in that situation, so the bag has to be approved by a professional medical group.
After the type of bag is acquired, the way it is positioned is also important. The bag is typically placed over the actor’s head and secured tightly around their neck using belt straps or ties. This helps create an airtight seal and makes it difficult for the actor to breath. Depending on the type of scene, the actor may be struggling and flailing their arms and legs, while someone else is holding the bag and pressing down with their body weight, thus assisting in creating that suffocation effect.
Next, the director will often be using the camera’s angle, lighting, dialogue and sound effects to build a certain mood in the scene. For example, the camera may be placed close up to the character so you can see their face when they are suffering from this “suffocation”. Or, dim lighting and eerie music in the background can add to the distress that the character may be feeling. To bring it all together, the director will normally use sound effects like heavy breathing and dialogue to really drive home the point that the character is suffocating.
The next step is the actual performance of the actor. Depending on the scene, they may be doing things like clawing at the bag, trying to get it off their head. Or perhaps they are making choking noises to really ramp up the intensity of the scene. It all depends on the director’s vision.
Finally, the actor may need to be coached by the director to show extra urgency and desperation. The director wants to make sure that the actor is really feeling the scene and exhibiting the emotions that the character is going through during the suffocation scene. To assist the actor, the director can offer instruction like “use more force, try and scream” and so on.
All in all, it takes a lot of planning to execute a convincing fake suffocation scene. From the type of bag used to the camera’s angle, the key is to build up a feeling of intense emotion for both the character and the viewer.
After taking a look at the planning side of things, it’s also important to consider the safety side. As I mentioned before, any actor in a scene involving suffocation with a bag will have to feel comfortable in the situation. Excessive struggling during the scene and pulling at the bag can pose a safety risk, so the directors often factor in safety regulations such as breaks to help ensure the safety of the actor.
Finally, the actual filming itself and post production are by far the most intensive part of getting a well executed fake suffocation scene. What I mean by this is that a lot of time will be spent in post-production where sound effects, lighting and audio will be added in. Each element of the scene needs to work together to build up the CHAOS of a suffocating character, to make both the character and viewer feel the intensity of the scene. This is especially true it is a thriller, where the audience needs to really feel the drama of the scene.
So there you have it – that’s how they make fake suffocation with a bag look real. All the planning, safety elements and post production ensure the scene looks as realistic as possible. It’s amazing how much goes into creating these intense scenes that we often take for granted when watching them on screen.