[Usittne] blank pistols/ammo

Tue Sep 20 12:48:59 EDT 2011

I second Deanna's requests: I would *really* appreciate seeing the written training procedures/documents Mike and Joseph refer to. 

I too have cobbled together bits and pieces from various web sources to help inform the on-campus theater org, but nothing that could be considered 'training' or 'policy'
Our Campus Police have been very understanding about the use of replica weapons. They have never thrown up any road-blocks to their use, but I feel it's based mostly on their trust in ME personally.

Mark D. Johnson
Asst. Director, Campus Center 
Auditorium Technical Director
Campus Center Auditorium
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA 02325

mjohnson at bridgew.edu
508.531.1708

"Things fall apart, it's scientific" - David Byrne
-----Original Message-----
From: usittne-bounces at mit.edu [mailto:usittne-bounces at mit.edu] On Behalf Of Deanna Stuart
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 9:22 AM
To: 'joseph at donovan.net'; usittne at mit.edu
Subject: Re: [Usittne] blank pistols/ammo

The attachment did not seem to come through--

-----Original Message-----
From: usittne-bounces at mit.edu [mailto:usittne-bounces at mit.edu] On Behalf Of joseph at donovan.net
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 9:12 AM
To: usittne at mit.edu
Subject: Re: [Usittne] blank pistols/ammo

Hi Gary,

I have attached a document that I give to everyone involved when they want us to use a blank gun.  I take no credit for it, it is different things I have stolen from others over the years but it outlines how different places handle safety with guns on stage.  

I then do a training with the entire cast and crew and then a specific training with the actor, stagehand who will handle the gun, stage manager and director.  The training with everyone explains what we are going to be doing and then basically tells them to not touch the gun.  EVER.  Even if they were trained for a previous show, even if they hunted there whole life, whatever.  The only people allowed to touch this gun are the actor(s) who uses it, the stagehand who preps it and puts it away right afterwards and possibly the stage manager if it is locked up in a place only s/he has access to.  The more specific training for the actor, etc will vary depending on the show but that is where I get into describing how to load and handle the gun, how to use the gun, gun maintenance, blocking the scene so it is never pointed at someone, etc.  The blocking part is why the director and stage manager need to hear it.  

Hope this helps,

Joe

Joseph P. Donovan
Technical Director and Production Manager
Theatre/Dance
University of Maine
207-581-1767
Chair, USITT NE

Sep 20, 2011 08:41:26 AM, usittne at mit.edu wrote:

===========================================

Just trying to get some current policies from other theaters on the use of firearms on-stage.

We have been asked on several occasions to provide a starter pistol and ammo for a visiting production and I have chosen to avoid the liability.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Gary R Lemieux

Director Of Production

Flynn Center For The Performing Arts

153 Main Street

Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 802-652-4521

Fax: 802-863-9962

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