The film industry is in a state of shock after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died on set after being shot by a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin. The incident has triggered widespread debate on the use of firearms on film sets, and whether they should be permanently replaced with rubber and airsoft guns instead.
The use of guns on set is strictly controlled, with a prop master or a licensed armourer responsible for handling all weapons, including loading blanks. Productions are also often required to install shields, made from materials such as perspex, to protect cast and crew.
Jensen Eckles, who stars alongside Baldwin in Rust, recently talked about the firearms training he’d had for the film, saying last month: “I’ve got a 6am call tomorrow to have a big shootout. They had me pick my gun… The armourer was like, ‘Do you have gun experience?’ I was like, ‘A little.’
“She was like, ‘This is how you load it, check it’s safe. Do you want it hip drawn or cross drawn? I’ll just put some blanks in there and just fire a couple of rounds towards the hill.’ I walk out and she’s like, ‘Just make sure you pull the hammer all the way back and aim at your target.’ I was like, ‘Alright, I got it.’”
According to guidelines published by the US actors’ union SagAftra, the prop master obtains, maintains and handles all firearms for the production, and works with the designated safety representative to ensure that standards are met.
This story is from the October 23, 2021 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the October 23, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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