Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_Goodbomb
I'm not sure what that means in this context.
I've seen them used in real guns in cowboy action settings and on film sets, and sometimes at pretty close ranges, and it was fine. But I don't want to risk anything, so I'm asking.
|
What Nyles was saying that most training has a standard safety distance of ten feet. In reenactments and public displays we usually state 15 feet. For one thing, you NEVER shoot in any direction that can throw crap at someone's eyes closer than fifteen feet. Blanks still hurt. We tend NOT to aim directly at anyone. Usually it's a camera trick and most of the time the gun is fired at a target 'off camera' or if at a person, usually at an angle where the blast is NOT directly pointing at the person.
I've blown holes in shirts and set them on fire with .45 Long Colt blanks so they are dangerous at extreme close range. the biggest danger is to people's eyes at any distance between one foot and thirty feet, so be careful and try not to aim at anyone's head if at all possible. During filming if we have no choice but to do a direct head shot, then you use a dummy blank firing gun with a BLOCKED BARREL (like they did in Goodfellas & Casino when they fired really close to people's heads). These are the theatrical blocked barrel revolvers that blow all of the low charged 'blast' (more like a cap) towards the sides. Nowadays, most modern movies use CGI for any gunfire that is dangerously close to human beings.
Believe me, 99.99% of the time you are never anywhere CLOSE to the person 'being shot'. try to keep it that way.
Most films have angles of actors firing 'off screen' .
Usually the cameraman is protected, sometimes with a furny pad or a heavy jacket, always with hearing protection and eye protection (if not blocked by the camera). Anyone not essential to the shot, steps way back away from the action. The Camera is usually protected by something, sometimes a clear plastic shield, etc.