Shoot to Thrill(ingly good day)

Working as an SA (supporting artist) you get talking to some interesting. Sometimes it’s stories about other productions they’ve been on (attempts at bragging some of the time) sometimes it’s about different courses they’ve been on.

Sometime ago I was talking with a fellow SA about a firearms course he went on. It sounded fascinating and like it could lead to more work as an SA and even in performing stunts. So I gave it a go, and absolutely loved it.

It was the Firearms Civilian & Law Enforcement one day course, offered by a stunt training company called idfight, based in bow.

They go through safety of the firearm, handing over to and from the on set armourer, how to draw and holster the firearm, how to walk like a person should and would with a firearm, disassemble and reassemble of a colt 1911, even firing off a few rounds of blanks.

There was a brief discussion (as would be expected on a course like this) about the tragedy that befallen Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust last year, and ways and means it could’ve and should’ve been avoided.

But other than that it was an upbeat and very educational day.

It’s starts off with how the on set armourer would hand over the firearm safely. Explaining the prop, how it works, makes sure there’s nothing in the chamber, nothing can go wrong etc. So you start off with basic safety.

Then it gets into drawing and holstering and the different stances professionals would take and therefore you would on set. Then onto walking around with it drawn, looking at every point and corner for opponents and how to take a “safe shot” with no friendlies in the way or could be hurt.

There was a game. Who can disassemble and resemble their prop the quickest. Admittedly I came third with 52 seconds.

After lunch there was the opportunity to fire off a few rounds of blanks. From both a revolver and a more recent pistol. So much noise, so much smoke from the gun powder! So much fun!

Then after a short break, some theatrical disarmament. So you can pretend to be Jeremy Renner and Tom Cruise from Mission Impossible: That One Where They do That Thing With The Guns.

Results may vary.

Capping it off with final safety briefings and a bit of time to practice while you still have the props and get some cheeky videos and pics.

All in all it was a great day and I thoroughly recommend it if you a little extra to add to your acting CV.

Regular CV’s? Sure why not, though I don’t think it’ll help working behind a bar. Actually I worked behind a bar and it might.

But check it out at idfight I’m the bow area of East London.

I’ll soon be taking on a BADC unarmed and rapier course so here’s hoping that’ll be the same level of enjoyment.