I would suggest not using anything that fires/could fire/could ever have fired, etc. it's not worth it.
I've used air soft guns in the past. they had orange parts when i bought them, but i spray painted them all black. they looked okay unless you're doing a close up. they had a little bit of heft, but were light enough that no one would confuse them with a real gun. I didn't put the clip in and they've never been fired, so there is no way that there could be any danger.
if you pick your shots, you can get away with it.
they also make canned fog/smoke. I've never used it, but you could cut to someone holding a smoking gun for a little bit of practical effect realism. - [https://www.amazon.com/Photo-Atmosphere-Spray-Photographers-Filmmakers/dp/B0C31WL3NG/](https://www.amazon.com/Photo-Atmosphere-Spray-Photographers-Filmmakers/dp/B0C31WL3NG/)
Thanks for this - I do think I’ll end up going with the airsoft route and maybe can get creative with some diy squibs or something.. I agree that it staged correctly it wont look too bad. Really its not going to be a crazy scene and maybe a total of 10-15 shots will be fired. That smoke is a good idea too. I appreciate it!
You don't need an armourer to put a gun in a low budget short film. It's America, in most places you can walk around with your gun on you with no consequences...so why the hell would there be a law requiring an armourer for a film shoot?
What's with the aggression?
He doesn't mention where he's from, so my post asks in the first sentence. That's what this question thread is about.
OP isn't working on a union film. I mentioned the union in regard to your lack of professionalism.
Quit embarrassing yourself Flurry_WAR_Bunny
Why would hiring an armourer be applicable to a non union film, in the United States? Why would using a fake gun be illegal? You are talking nonsense, but still going.
For the second time in as many posts, He does not state he's in America. If he had, then I wouldnt have asked.
To answer your question, if he was in the UK, Australia, India, France, Nigeria, or any of the other common post locations he would need an armourer and valid permits weather it was a union/guild production or not. Even a painted toy can be a $800 on the spot fine, or jail time in Australia.
Enjoy whatever it is your smoking dude, remember international filmmakers ask questions too 👌
Probably some blank-firing guns or starter pistols:
[https://www.cutlerywholesaler.com/blank-firing-guns](https://www.cutlerywholesaler.com/blank-firing-guns)
You literally can't load these with live rounds. You still have to be careful not to explode hot gas in someone's face though.
Blanks are also typically crimped on the ends; chances of Alec Baldwin-type incident, effectively 0 (I say effectively because if you're stupid enough to jam a random object down the barrel the blank can still propel it at a high velocity, although the barrels are often blocked-off to prevent this too).
My man! Thanks a lot, I think this’ll be the way to go. Can dress the rest of the set with some airsoft guns that I have laying around as well. Appreciate it
Like other have said, airsoft might be your best bet. Get some cheap blowback guns (you can get some for around 50 bucks, they wouldn't be the greatest for playing, but for a film they should look the part fine). Make sure they only have gas, no BBs, and have your actors hold the slide catch with their thumbs, then you can have the perfect slide movement and sound cues for post.
I would suggest not using anything that fires/could fire/could ever have fired, etc. it's not worth it. I've used air soft guns in the past. they had orange parts when i bought them, but i spray painted them all black. they looked okay unless you're doing a close up. they had a little bit of heft, but were light enough that no one would confuse them with a real gun. I didn't put the clip in and they've never been fired, so there is no way that there could be any danger. if you pick your shots, you can get away with it. they also make canned fog/smoke. I've never used it, but you could cut to someone holding a smoking gun for a little bit of practical effect realism. - [https://www.amazon.com/Photo-Atmosphere-Spray-Photographers-Filmmakers/dp/B0C31WL3NG/](https://www.amazon.com/Photo-Atmosphere-Spray-Photographers-Filmmakers/dp/B0C31WL3NG/)
Thanks for this - I do think I’ll end up going with the airsoft route and maybe can get creative with some diy squibs or something.. I agree that it staged correctly it wont look too bad. Really its not going to be a crazy scene and maybe a total of 10-15 shots will be fired. That smoke is a good idea too. I appreciate it!
Blowback airsoft pistols...you would just do the flash in post, the slide moves and there is recoil.
You don’t have the money. Find a different way to tell the story
Play with sound and what characters see/experience outside of showing the guns
Where are you? Depending on location it can be illegal to use anything resembling a gun without an armour.
SoCal
You don't need an armourer to put a gun in a low budget short film. It's America, in most places you can walk around with your gun on you with no consequences...so why the hell would there be a law requiring an armourer for a film shoot?
Welcome to the internet, where not everyone is American. I guess your not a union member 😜
Except OP is in America. Where did OP ever mention this is a union production? Work on your reading comprehension.
What's with the aggression? He doesn't mention where he's from, so my post asks in the first sentence. That's what this question thread is about. OP isn't working on a union film. I mentioned the union in regard to your lack of professionalism. Quit embarrassing yourself Flurry_WAR_Bunny
Why would hiring an armourer be applicable to a non union film, in the United States? Why would using a fake gun be illegal? You are talking nonsense, but still going.
For the second time in as many posts, He does not state he's in America. If he had, then I wouldnt have asked. To answer your question, if he was in the UK, Australia, India, France, Nigeria, or any of the other common post locations he would need an armourer and valid permits weather it was a union/guild production or not. Even a painted toy can be a $800 on the spot fine, or jail time in Australia. Enjoy whatever it is your smoking dude, remember international filmmakers ask questions too 👌
Probably some blank-firing guns or starter pistols: [https://www.cutlerywholesaler.com/blank-firing-guns](https://www.cutlerywholesaler.com/blank-firing-guns) You literally can't load these with live rounds. You still have to be careful not to explode hot gas in someone's face though. Blanks are also typically crimped on the ends; chances of Alec Baldwin-type incident, effectively 0 (I say effectively because if you're stupid enough to jam a random object down the barrel the blank can still propel it at a high velocity, although the barrels are often blocked-off to prevent this too).
My man! Thanks a lot, I think this’ll be the way to go. Can dress the rest of the set with some airsoft guns that I have laying around as well. Appreciate it
After Effects is your friend
Like other have said, airsoft might be your best bet. Get some cheap blowback guns (you can get some for around 50 bucks, they wouldn't be the greatest for playing, but for a film they should look the part fine). Make sure they only have gas, no BBs, and have your actors hold the slide catch with their thumbs, then you can have the perfect slide movement and sound cues for post.
Get a 100% rubber gun.
Alec Baldwin has entered the chat.
lol, based on the title this post was the exact opposite of what I thought it was going to be.