Eli5: What are the substitutes used in movie making for e.g. Cigarettes, cocaine, alcohol, dangerous weapons, etc?

Question

Eli5: What are the substitutes used in movie making for e.g. Cigarettes, cocaine, alcohol, dangerous weapons, etc?

In: 5

Answer 1

Cigs are usually just cigs in the USA. Alcohol is just food dye in water. Weapons are a complex topic because they vary wildly based on use. If it’s a close up shot, it needs to look as real as possible and sometimes will be a real weapon. If it needs to be waved around or in a fast action shot, then it’ll be some type of prop (rubber or plastic guns/knives). There’s a million scenarios for weapons.