As effects of the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust” still linger, the union representing crew members in movies and TV shows is taking further steps for the safe use of firearms on set.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has appointed two longtime armorers as firearm experts.
Brook Yeaton, a 30-plus-year member of the union, is the newly-named firearm expert for crews in Georgia and other places outside of Los Angeles covered by the Area Standards Agreement. Larry Zanoff, who has a background in law enforcement and combat service, is holding that role for crews based in Los Angeles covered by the union’s Basic Agreement.
They will ensure the rules and guidelines regarding the use of firearms are followed and understood in productions, help with safety issues and work with IATSE negotiating committees on contract negotiations. They’ll also represent the union in legislative hearings and other regulatory matters related to firearm use and safety in the entertainment industry.
“We’re very methodical about what we need to do to create real-life images, but in a fantasy world where everyone goes home,” said Yeaton, who is the president of IATSE Local 478, a chapter representing workers in Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama.
This is the latest safety measure the union has put in place after renegotiating its contracts with Hollywood entertainment companies last year. The documents included new language for firearm safety and working in extreme heat and cold, and penalties for productions infringing on an employee’s rest period. Employers also must offer courtesy housing or round trip transportation for crews working over 14 hours.
The Area Standards Agreement also included a provision for the adoption of a safety officer pilot program in both Georgia and New York. Starting this year, each major studio filming in Georgia — such as Disney or Paramount — will assign a safety officer to one feature length production who will work with producers and crew members to identify possible hazards or safety issues.
The safety officer will then create a risk assessment and come up with a plan to work with the production company, the union, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other parties to make sure they’re creating a safe work environment. The program is modeled on an existing measure in California.
Vigilance over firearm safety has always ebbed and flowed, Yeaton said. About 30 years ago, the fatal shooting of Brandon Lee by a prop gun on the set of the 1994 film “The Crow” sparked conversations over tightening gun safety regulations. Yeaton said he noticed an increase in the use of dedicated armorers after that incident, but the practice faded with time.
Discussions about safely handling weapons were reignited by the highly publicized shooting incident on the film set of “Rust,” where Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with a prop revolver when it fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“I stress on set that there are two first rules in weapons. We always pretend that they’re real, and we always pretend that they are loaded, no matter if they are rubber weapon replicas or glorified BB guns,” Yeaton said.
Most firearms used on sets come off the assembly line as items of destruction, Yeaton said. Only later are they reconfigured to fire blanks and to be used on set in a safe manner.
“Everyone thinks it’s fantasy when we’re creating these projects and shows, but the weapons themselves come from the world of complete reality,” Yeaton said.
A challenge that can get in the way of ensuring on-set safety is the speed of production, which has ramped up in recent years. When shooting schedules are compressed and budgets are tight, it’s not always easy to tell a 50-plus-person crew to stop what they’re doing and hold off on rolling until safety is ensured.
“When it gets tense on set, I like to say that we’re going to take our time, because everyone’s going home tonight,” Yeaton said.
A part of Yeaton and Zanoff’s roles also includes education: ensuring that everyone on set, regardless of their experience, understands the protocols of using prop firearms and the terminology used by armorers.
“Like, ‘What is a cold weapon? What is a clear weapon? What does hot mean?’” Yeaton said. “With these terms and the protocols, I think that the more people know them, the safer everyone would be.”
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