First, we have an exclusive glimpse into Alex's production notebook, complete with plot, storyboards, prop listing, and music notes. Below that is a description of the techniques we used for the special effects; beware, for there may be some spoilers!
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SPECIAL EFFECTS: The blood effects were done as cheaply and simply as possible. The squib (for the body gunshot wound) was a condom filled with blood. We duct-taped the condom to the body, then used superglue to attach a washer on the end of a long fishing line. When the line is pulled, the washer breaks the condom, causing a nice little splurt of blood.
The sledgehammer hits were done by finding just the right timing, camera and body position, then spitting out a large amount of fake blood (floud, water, and red dye... yum) at the appropriate moment. The final blow was done by placing a wig on top of a bucket of gore (flour, water, molasses, ketchup, bread, red dye, and some other nasties boiled to an appropriate thickness), then squishing it with full force. Delightful.