So, I'm pretty sure I know what you all are going to say to this, but:
Our show requires the use of nine period-specific firearms. They must be period-specific and usable as they will be displayed on stage, examined by the actors on stage, and they will be fired on several occasions.
First of all, we're firing blanks. Some of these guns we can get in a model that is designed to shoot blanks, some of the period-specific ones we can't, but that's not my department...
We'll have someone whose entire job is firearm safety. I'm told they'll be given a professional training course, and of course a gun safe will be purchased and used to store all firearms and blanks.
The guns are never fired at close range in the script, though they are intended to all be fired out over the audience (after being pointed at the audience) in the final scene.
I'm pretty sure I'll be in a position on this show where I'll be present at production meetings and will be able to ensure that necessary safety standards are in place. Here are my current drawn up off-the-cuff rules:
Now the questions are: is a responsible college student professionally trained 'firearms master' sufficient or would a professional need to be on-site? Legal issues would be taken care of by the executive board, so let's assume that we are legally permitted to possess these. Is there any place for a live firearm in a college theater? Are any of the above safety measures unnecessary given that we are firing blanks? Is there anything else that needs to be added and stated from the start? (If we go forwards with this, of course the gun guy will add specifics, my goal is to be able to set down guidelines at the overall level, much like 'all instruments must be safetied', and don't need to have every detail down at this point.)
We'll also need to make an announcement of this nature at the beginning of the show - informing the audience that real firearms with blank rounds will be fired on stage and informing them that they are, of course, loud. I'm assuming that sound will need to mute everything.
Our show requires the use of nine period-specific firearms. They must be period-specific and usable as they will be displayed on stage, examined by the actors on stage, and they will be fired on several occasions.
First of all, we're firing blanks. Some of these guns we can get in a model that is designed to shoot blanks, some of the period-specific ones we can't, but that's not my department...
We'll have someone whose entire job is firearm safety. I'm told they'll be given a professional training course, and of course a gun safe will be purchased and used to store all firearms and blanks.
The guns are never fired at close range in the script, though they are intended to all be fired out over the audience (after being pointed at the audience) in the final scene.
I'm pretty sure I'll be in a position on this show where I'll be present at production meetings and will be able to ensure that necessary safety standards are in place. Here are my current drawn up off-the-cuff rules:
- Firearms and blanks are to be stored in the safe when not in use
- The safe is to be locked when not in use
- The keys/combination to the safe will be given only to the executive board, the directors, and the firearms master
- Each actor is to be trained in the safe use of these firearms. Safety is to be stressed,
- Firearms are never to be discharged in any circumstance except in the presence of the firearms master during a run or for training purposes
- Any actor who discharges, pretends to discharge, draws, or in any way threatens others, in a serious or joking manner, with his firearm shall immediately and without question be removed from the cast
- Firearms shall be distributed by the firearms master before each scene and collected by the firearms master after each scene.
- All firearms must be collected at the conclusion of each act
- No person who is intoxicated may handle a firearm
Now the questions are: is a responsible college student professionally trained 'firearms master' sufficient or would a professional need to be on-site? Legal issues would be taken care of by the executive board, so let's assume that we are legally permitted to possess these. Is there any place for a live firearm in a college theater? Are any of the above safety measures unnecessary given that we are firing blanks? Is there anything else that needs to be added and stated from the start? (If we go forwards with this, of course the gun guy will add specifics, my goal is to be able to set down guidelines at the overall level, much like 'all instruments must be safetied', and don't need to have every detail down at this point.)
We'll also need to make an announcement of this nature at the beginning of the show - informing the audience that real firearms with blank rounds will be fired on stage and informing them that they are, of course, loud. I'm assuming that sound will need to mute everything.