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JLeslie's avatar

Why is it necessary to fire anything in an acting scene with a gun?

Asked by JLeslie (65413points) October 24th, 2021
8 responses
“Great Question” (0points)

I’m sure most of you have heard about the recent tragedy where actor Alec Baldwin fired a gun that was supposed to have blanks, but didn’t, and wound up killing one person and harming another on set.

There are not supposed to be any real bullets at all on a film set, plus many other precautions so this never happens.

Why is it even necessary at all to have any bullets? Can’t they just edit in the sound of a gun firing during editing? Just have all fake guns that have no space for bullets.

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Answers

canidmajor's avatar

It’s not necessary at all, it’s just cheaper. The sounds and puffs of smoke (if they want) can be easily added in post production.

Zaku's avatar

Movie gun violence is a big-money industry, valued by how it looks. There is a high market value on guns looking like real guns shooting, including recoil and ejecting cartridges and so on. It’s possible to fake some of that with special effects, but it’s also expensive work.

kritiper's avatar

Just for the record here, a automatic rifle, like a M-16, cannot fire successive blanks, like the rifle is being fired in full automatic, unless the barrel is plugged.

SnipSnip's avatar

I said the same thing. Sparks and sound can be added.

janbb's avatar

I just saw a play in which an actor pulls out a handgun and shoots himself several times as different characters. It scared the willies out of me after the Alec Baldwin event.

filmfann's avatar

CGI costs $$$.

JLeslie's avatar

It would be nice if movies with violence and guns lost their appeal.

TJFKAJ's avatar

Good question.
Having said it, each person who handles the gun in circumstances like that is obligated to make sure it is safe.
Baldwin apparently did not and is in trouble in my opinion.

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