I've shot these sorts of targets both recreationally and semi-competitively. Usually I do pretty well--"usually" meaning I haven't accumulated THAT many dead hostages.
To further clarify, I do "pretty well" vs. a sheet of paper that remains entirely stationary in between my missed shots, does not attempt to escape, does not return fire and does not put the hostage in any further harm. Oh, and isn't pointing a gun at the hostage that's likely to fire if I do manage to hit the bad guy.
I've long wondered whether real-life "hit the bad guy, not the hostage" shots are best left for Hollywood. Even for an expert marksman with iron nerves, a target like this gives you about an inch worth of tolerance. If the hostage or the bad guy so much as turns his head, a hit becomes a miss, or a miss becomes a hit to the wrong guy.
In a real kidnapping I'd probably just have to fall back on my sword and throwing stars
