Photographer Halyna Hutchins died Thursday after Alec Baldwin fired a loaded weapon, which was handed over to him by the assistant director, who mistakenly believed it was safe to use it on the "Rust" set in New Mexico. Director Joel Suza was also shot and injured, but has now been discharged. Although many things are still unknown-the police are investigating-the Associated Press looks at the use of guns in movies and TV works and existing security protocols.

What is a "prop firearm"?

This is a loose definition that can be applied to anything from rubber toys to real guns that can fire projectiles. However, if it is used for shooting (or even just blank), it is considered a real gun. Former Salt Lake City police chief Chris Burbank, who has consulted on multiple television productions, said that guns used for simulation during police training or film production are usually made to hold blanks.

What is blank? Can they kill people?

The blank is a bullet that contains gunpowder but does not contain bullets. Nevertheless, according to the Actors' Rights Association, it may seriously harm or kill people nearby. Film Gun Safety Coordinator Dave Brown wrote in an article written for American cinematographers in 2019: "The blank expels gunpowder and hot gas from the front of the barrel in a cone shape. This is at a greater distance. The inside is harmless, but if the distance is too close, the explosion will seriously harm someone."

In this case, is blank fired?

Court records released on Friday showed that the gun was full of live ammunition. According to records, this gun is one of the three guns that the armorer of the movie placed on a cart outside the wooden structure, where a scene is being performed. A detective wrote in the search warrant application that assistant director Dave Hols grabbed the gun from the cart and took it to Baldwin, not knowing it was full of live ammunition.

Who is responsible for the weapons at the scene?

Usually, the weapon master or armorer is responsible for supervising all weapons used in production. This can mean anything, from choosing the right items for a certain period in history, to taking care of weapons on set and ensuring that actors and stuntmen use them safely and correctly. This is a fairly new position in the history of filmmaking, dating back to the 1980s. Before that, the prop master took care of everything. Recently, recruiting experts has become more and more common.

What are the rules for on-site firearms?

Whenever a weapon is used, the weapon master must be present. The guidelines of the Actors Rights Association states, “Before each use, make sure that the gun has been tested under the stage, and then ask to test it yourself. Watch the prop master check the gas cylinder and barrel to make sure that there are no foreign objects or fake bullets stuck in it. In addition, “all gun loading must be done by property owners, armorers or experienced people working under their direct supervision.”

How to become a weapon master?

According to Backstage magazine, there is no formal way, but internships and apprentices or backgrounds in stunt work, military, police, or security are common. The weapon master must abide by state and federal laws and hold appropriate operating permits.

Why is the gun pointed at the photographer?

We don't know what happened on the set of "Rust", but it is quite common to point the gun at the camera and extend it to the cinematographer to get a certain angle.

"We have all seen very famous shots in movies. In these shots, you will get a gun pointed at you, the audience, and of course the dramatic effect of pointing at the camera," Senior Unit 2 director Steven Howe Er explained. And cinematographer, has filmed "Furious" and "Thor: The Dark World" and other movies. "In order to minimize this, people will put a remote camera in that place, or at least if someone has to operate the camera, I'm usually protected by safety goggles, safety sun visors, and a PESPEX screen that can withstand almost anything. Very much. Obviously, it can't withstand live ammunition, but it can certainly withstand a void."

Given that there are many regulations, how could such a thing happen?

Although the specific circumstances of the filming of "Rust" are still unknown, industry professionals say that sometimes crews and production staff are encouraged to "speed up" for various reasons, which sometimes leads to "relaxation" of security agreements.

When it is a work of a period, does it become more complicated?

"Rust" occurred in the 1880s. According to Hall, when using ancient weapons, "you have to use real historical weapons and check the safety of these weapons. I know that revolvers fire live ammunition, of course, to ensure that they The way it works is that when you put in a blank, it won’t explode or explode in the actor’s hands."

Why make or even use real guns with live ammunition when there are special effects?

When dealing with visual effects, it is becoming more and more common to add gunshots in post-production. But the visual effects can be expensive, and the use of props can be easier and cheaper. In addition, Dormer said that using props and blanks is also beneficial, such as getting real reactions from actors.

All levels of the industry are frustrated and angry, because such things may happen. Director James Gunn said on Twitter that his greatest fear is that "someone will be fatally injured in one of my scenes." Alex Winter tweeted: "The crew will always It should not be unsafe on the set. When they are unsafe, there is always a clear reason."

Associated Press reporters Lizzie Knight and Adam Egan are from London, and Lindsay Whitehurst is from Salt Lake City.