RTE Hidden Assests director says Rust tragedy would never happen on local set
| Author | Exclusive - Katie Gallagher |
| Published date | 08 November 2021 |
| Publication title | DublinLive (Ireland) |
The tragedy has ignited questions about how guns are used on film and television sets.
Emmy-nominated director Thaddeus O'Sullivan, who is behind the lens in the state broadcaster's new series, said he would never fear a similar accident occurring closer to home.
The Dubliner insisted there are far more safety protocols in place on one of his sound stages in Ireland or the UK.
The cinematographer said: "I've worked with guns a lot because it is in a lot of police and gang and detective stuff and I was just reading about the procedures that took place on Rust, and ours doesn't work like that.
"It is really rather strange. Because in that case they had an assistant director hand Alec Baldwin the gun, and the only person who hands guns to actors are armourers in Ireland and the UK.
"And an armourer would never leave a gun for someone else to pick up and hand to an actor, so that would cut that out.
"And live rounds are not used anyway, so there would be no chance of a live round being on set."
The 74-year-old said Hidden Assets had armourers on set at all times where firearms were involved and followed proper protocols.
He added: "I've been around loads of prop guns that have been shot and I've never known any kind of an accident or mishap.
"They are incredibly safe. The armourers are brilliant and well trained.
"It wouldn't happen here. There wouldn't be a live round anywhere near it. Absolutely no chance."
Despite the fact that live rounds are never involved, he said guns are never allowed to be pointed in the direction of anybody on set.
He explained: "If you shoot a blank at somebody you will injure them if they are very close because there is a certain amount of wadding.
"And you might even get a shard from the barrel of the gun or something, I think that kind of thing has happened.
"But that is why when you aim a gun, you never aim it at any person.
"You always aim it in an open space.
"The armourer will also stand behind the shooter, behind the actor and direct his hand. So if it looks like the actor is firing in the direction of the other actor the armourer would step in and shift the arm. And the camera has to be in the position to just make it look like he was firing straight at the other actor.
"That is a question of where you put the camera, not where you aim the gun."
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