My take: 1 – yeah, A and C are important, but a bit separate from the weapons focus of the rest… A and C are up to the 1st AD and others. Weapon safety is 1st AD and Armorer, potentially pyro, Stunts and to some degree performers.
3’s a bit ambiguous. Anything used as a prop representing a gun is a prop gun… which can include real guns, or unloaded guns. The usual categories are more about rubber/inert, airsoft blowback, F/X guns like the piezo non-guns or model guns, Blank guns, real guns, etc….
5. they should know if it is loaded or unloaded, with what (full load blanks? primer only blanks? dummy rounds? gas for blowback function but no bbs in an airsoft?), how it works, if it’s ready to go or has the safety on, has some in the magazine but none in the chamber, otherwise what the status is, as well as what their action with it will be, what to do if it jams or misfires, etc.
6 Can be B, or C, but plastic and steel aren’t the only options, or even the most common ones (stunt options often include aluminum or bamboo, for example).
7 – there should be a safety meeting, and rehearsals, but not necessarily a break, so none of these choices are valid.
8. Define real weapon? A stick is a real weapon, potentially… a real gun that’s using blanks is a real weapon, potentially… trained professionals should be there regardless of whether it’s a real weapon.
9. Depends on what they’re being used for, and not all metals or woods are the same. Aluminum and steel are very different, as is properly hardened and tempered carbon steel vs. stainless, or 7075 t6 compared to hardware store aluminum… laminated bamboo is different from hardware store lumber…
10. First step? Budget for it. Then hire someone qualified. Then have preproduction meetings about props and stunts and choreography and training and safety…
11. Crucial… for safety? Or just for shooting in general? And where are things like emergency plans? I had a friend die when he had a heart attack filming in the woods in the middle of nowhere, and there wasn’t adequate medical support available in a timely manner.
12. B, but also insurance.
19 – I assume you’re just talking crew, not talent?
21 – all of the above, but I guess you’re specifically talking safety?
25 I’d suggest adding ankle support too if you’re talking rocky terrain.
27. again, “metal” isn’t just one category, and rubber and plastic aren’t the only other options. And it depends on the shot. For a close-up, sure, have a hero prop that’s more real. For a stunt or action shot, no.
33 C, yes, but also let them do their jobs. Make sure they have the necessary authority and respect on set.
34 what do you even mean by “real”? If you replace the blade with a plastic one, is it still “real knives or swords”? Plastic’s actually not the best option for swords, in general, but neither is just dulling steel, and there are plenty of other factors to consider (tang style, type of metal, hardness/temper, blade geometry and balance, construction method, etc)
35 I’d say all of the above, and more.
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