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Dangerous stunt on film set (video)
  • When filming with SFX, make sure you're working with a crew who know their job, unlike the idiots who rigged this charge. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but it could have been a lot worse.

    http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=879_1392291332

    Mirror:

  • 9 Replies sorted by
  • It's gone. Do you know what set it was from.

  • Saw clip earlier - I really hope that was "photoshopped" - because that explosion launched a door real powerfully within 5-10 feet of the actress's head.

  • Couldn't find it on that link.

    Stunts are always dangerous, even under the best of circumstances. Even on union jobs things go wrong. Add in the hours people are asked to work just to keep their jobs, the resulting fatigue, and something can go wrong. It's unfortunately part of working in that end of the business and the best policy is to look out for yourself, because no union can really help you get back on your feet 100%. The lawyers for the insurance companies are snakes and will short change you any way they can. I speak from personal experience.

    I heard from 2 work colleagues who worked on "Black Dog" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120610/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
    that the effects guys set themselves on fire when the battery they rigged to set off an explosion in a truck, shorted on the metal frame of the truck, just as they armed it ready to be triggered a few minutes later. They must have mixed the wires up. Fatigue from long hours was definitely in the mix.

    One of my colleagues then ran for Camera Union president hoping to make a difference, only to get ensnarled in typical political in-fighting.

    The 12 on 12 off movement after the death of Brent Lon Hershman ca. 1995 tried to bring sane hours to union jobs, only to hear it's not possible from Producers and Union leaders. Haskell Wexler made an excellent documentary called "Who Needs Sleep" and ran for camera union president, also hoping to make a difference, only to painted as an eccentric old man.

    Watch your own back, no one else will and BE SAFE: it's only a movie.

  • Here's a mirror. This was taken from a GoPro mounted on top of the rig containing the real camera (a Red.) I think the buzzing sound is the EFF. More background here:

    http://www.reddit.com/r/Filmmakers/comments/1xpdyn/shocking_film_shoot_accident_recently_was_working/

    Edit: Sorry, looks like they've taken down this mirror too. The producers really don't want people to see this.

  • Here's another mirror:

    And a comment from the person who originally posted it:

    http://www.reddit.com/r/Filmmakers/comments/1xun1l/final_word_on_implications_of_the_video_i_posted/

  • Yup, definitely too much explosives and the actors may have stopped short of an unmarked position. Kudos to the Steadicam op who didn't even flinch as that real door came flying towards him. Safety first.

    "Who Needs Sleep" is available on Vimeo for free. Haskell Wexler's continued public service and an excellent film we all can learn something from. http://whoneedssleep.weebly.com & from vimeo:

  • Looks like they couldn't afford to buy this prop door:

    http://www.newrulefx.com/spfdoor001.html

    or make a styrofoam one for $30!

  • These guys are known for their dodgy dealings, $30 is closer to what they would pay crew for a days work..