Blank Guns question

ExtremeSleuth

ExtremeSleuth

Veteran
My production team and I are going to be shooting a movie in my back yard in a few weeks. The thing is though, we'll be shooting blank guns that sound like real guns. Do I have to notify the police about our shooting, or not, cause it's in my own back yard?
 
Yes! Let the local police know that you're going to be shooting a film that involves some "gun noises".
I would also give notice to your surrounding neighbors as well.
 
Even blanks can be dangerous so you'll want to be careful. You may also find out that the sound of the blanks doesn't sound as good as you think on tape. You may end up replacing it with "canned" gun shots.
 
Blaine said:
Even blanks can be dangerous so you'll want to be careful. You may also find out that the sound of the blanks doesn't sound as good as you think on tape. You may end up replacing it with "canned" gun shots.
Click to expand...

thanks for the heads up on the sound Blaine. I did some research about the safety before getting the guns. We may only actually be pulling the trigger 2 times.
 
They used to make a semi realistic looking cap pistol, it used the little plastic caps. The sharp crack would be useless for captured audio, but might help the actor react, as well as giving you a reference noise in post. It is also about as harmless as it gets... unless you accidentally jam the barrel into your eye.
 
Ya, i do need the guns. They're PPK's like James Bond guns that we're throwing in as a reference and i couldn't find any non blank guns.

I live out in the country, gun shots are normal cause of hunting season. I'm glad i don't live in the city!
 
You might want to look at Airsoft. They have cartridge-ejecting models and they're less dangerous than using blanks.
 
Depending upon the blank load, the action may or may not cycle properly.

Blanks are usually under-loaded, compared to live rounds, and often don't have the energy to cycle the action completely, without a muzzle constrictor.

Leading to jams, stovepiping, and other inconvenient and un-cinematic results.
 
ZFarms said:
My production team and I are going to be shooting a movie in my back yard in a few weeks. The thing is though, we'll be shooting blank guns that sound like real guns. Do I have to notify the police about our shooting, or not, cause it's in my own back yard?
Click to expand...

Do you *have* to notify them. Probably not. Is is almost certainly the only smart thing you can do: yes.

And almost more importantly, be sure to notify all of your adjoining neighbors. And maybe put up some small signs out of frame that indicate what you're doing. Honestly, I'd do this even if you end up using Airsoft guns.

The last thing you need is for a neighbor or passerby to think the whole thing is real and start to open fire on you with real firearms in an effort to "save" your "victim"...
 
we know our neighbors pretty well. they wont have a problem with it. we hear hunters in the back field behind our property all the time.


thanks for all the input!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top