How To
Handle Firearms On Set:
Safety Training
for Actors & Directors
Sat. August 28th

Many film, television and stage actors come from backgrounds that often do not involve firearms. Their exposure to such weapons comes from viewing movies and TV shows. Sadly, this is often not an accurate portrayal of the realistic and safe use of guns.

Actors need to understand how to realistically and safely handle firearms in order to offer an extra skill to casting directors when auditioning for roles involving the use of weapons.

An actor who knows how to safely handle a handgun or long gun when portraying such a role is much easier to direct and much safer to have on the set. Having these skills can separate one actor out from the many other candidates vying for the available role.

Movie and TV work has become increasingly realistic and directors now look for performers who understand how to handle firearms in a realistic and safe manner. Auditioning for a good role is extremely competitive and any edge that can be added to one's resume is valuable. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 In this NON-SHOOTING workshop, students learn the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the safe and realistic handling and storage of firearms and ammunition. Particpants will learn how to avoid unrealistic, Hollywood cliché styles and goofy-looking shooting grips and stances.

This Certified Firearm Safety course will make you more knowledgeable about firearms safety, realistic gun handling, and introduce you to authentic techniques that will help you look like a pro.

Contemporary and Period firing stances and positions will be demonstrated and practiced as well as how to simulate the effect and appearance of recoil.

Participants will also learn the different, real world, styles of "Weapon Deployment" used by various individuals, such as members of the military and various police agencies, men and women in the Old West, and "modern and period era" criminals.

Participants will have the opportunity to handle and become familiar with the mechanics and operation of real firearms.

Above all else, Safety will be emphasized. ON-SET "Firearm Etiquette" as well as the foundational "Do's & Don'ts" will be covered.  

Participants will be taught the NRA’s 3 Basic Rules of Firearm Safety as well as the Police, Military & Civilian Safety Benchmark: "Col. Jeff Cooper’s 4 Rules of Firearms Safety".

This material equips actors and directors with a complete understanding of Safe Gun Handling; primary causes of firearms accidents and how to prevent them; firearm parts; how to load and unload various styles of firearms as well an overview of ammunition, (and its components), holsters and Colorado Firearms Laws.

All Students will receive the NRA Home Firearm Safety handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Basic Firearm Training Program brochure and Course Completion Certificate and an Overview/FAQ of Colorado Firearms Laws.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

George Flynn is a Triple Rated NRA Certified Instructor and has been a Firearms Safety Instructor since the 1970s.  For over 40 years, Mr. Flynn has been both professionally and personally involved in the Shooting Sports.  He’s been an avid competitive shooter in disciplines such as Combat Pistol, ICORE, Cowboy Action, Trap & Skeet, as well as other sports.

Working in Motion Pictures, Television & Radio for over 40 years, George is an award winning Actor, Writer & Director. He's also the host of the "Words of Freedom" Radio Show and is also a co-host of the “GunnPoint Radio Show” w/ Randy & Heidi Gunn on ICR & SkyAngel Networks.

Recently, he was the Screenwriter and one of the Producers on the Motion Picture “Set Apart" starring Richard Roundtree (Shaft & Speed Racer), John Schneider, (Dukes of Hazzard & Smallville) and Jennifer O'Neill, (Rio Lobo & Summer of ‘42).  "Set Apart" is a Sony Pictures/ Provident Films Release.