Safe Handling

Professionalism

Film and television sets are professional environments, Film and Mass Media students are professionals in training. All student filmmakers, actors, and volunteers participating on a UCF-NSCMFMM student productions are expected to treat all prop weapons as if they are real. This is done to develop the neccesary habits to ensure a safe working enviroment.

That means no unscripted play, brandishing or careless handling of a prop weapon while on set.

All scripted use of prop weapons will be done so in a thoughtful, choregraphed, and professional manner. When possible, the blocking of actors and the selection of camera angles / lens choices should be designed to limit directly pointing prop “guns” at cast or crew.

Any staged combat requires approval of the instructor-of-record and must be reviewed by the Risk Management Panel. It also may require additional insurance coverage and the hiring of a professional stunt coordinator.

Safety meetings must be held on each day a prop weapon is being used on set.

During the safety meeting, the 1st AD must provide step-by-step instructions of how the prop weapon will be handled on set. This must be reviewed with the entire cast and crew present. The discussion must permit feedback from cast or crew, especially if someone does not feel safe with the way the prop weapon is being handled on set.

A crew member must be designated as the property master who is responsible for the transportation and on-set storage of the prop weapon. Prop weapons should be stored in a bag or container until rehearsal or filming takes place. Only the prop master and talent who are scripted to use the prop weapon should handle it.

Solid plastic training facsimiles, aka a “blue gun” or “blue knife,” should be used for all rehearsals in lieu of the designated prop weapon.

Using Prop Weapons on Private Property

When working with prop weapons while on private property, and the set is potentially visible to the public (e.g., in a backyard, through windows, doors, in a patio, etc.), student productions will need to post signs that they are filming and that “prop weapons are in use.” Students should also have production assistants posted outside of the location to help wrangle the concerns of any onlookers passing by or any nosey neighbors.

Students do not want a misunderstanding that has the police dispatched to your location thinking there is an active crime being committed.

Students must notify the watch commander of whatever law enforcement jurisdiction they are filming in.

To help avoid the police being emergency dispatched to your location due to a misunderstanding, inform them of the production’s location, date, times, and that you are using a non-functional prop weapon.

Using Prop Weapons on Public Property

Student productions planning to use a prop weapon in public must obtain a permit from the film commission.

Depending on location, student productions will most likely have to hire an off-duty police officer, county sheriff, state trooper, or a park ranger to be be present during the filming. The film commission will give you further instructions on what is required.

Students must notify the watch commander of whatever law enforcement jurisdiction they are filming in.

Student productions must post signs that state, “ATTENTION – FILMING – Prop Weapons Are In Use.”

Students should also have several production assistants posted at the boundaries of the location to help wrangle the concerns of any onlookers passing by or any nosey neighbors.

Please follow the steps outlined in the Locations and Permits article to request a location permit.

A Real-Life Example

In 2017 a film production company in Crawsfordville, Indiana failed to acquire the proper permits, posted no notices of filming, and did not notify local police that a robbery scene was being filmed at a local brewery (which was doubling as a bank location). It caused a serious misunderstanding by local police who responded with weapons drawn.

They came upon a “bank robber” backing out of the front door of the business with a “gun” in his hand turning towards the officer. This almost led to the actor being shot when police open fire. Luckly, the officer missed his first shot. When the actor shouted that they were making a movie, the officer realized what was actually happening and, to the actor’s fortune, the officer deescalated.

Please watch the video of this incident in this news article to get a better understanding on how things can go wrong – Indiana Police Shoot at Actor Playing ‘Bank Robber’ In Movie. NOTE: While the incident is stressful to watch, no one was injured or killed.