Film and television production sets are often chaotic places, with dozens or even hundreds of people working together to create a memorable shot.
Film and television production sets are often chaotic places, with dozens 
or even hundreds of people working together to create a memorable shot. Film sets typically include heavy set pieces and props; in a recent production for the iconic Star Wars franchise, a set piece dropped on actor Harrison Ford’s leg, breaking it and requiring him to sit out eight weeks of filming to recover. On-set injuries are unfortunately very common and can go under-reported or unreported altogether. Film production insurance is one way that filmmakers can protect the assets of their production companies as well as their staff and cast members against the losses resulting from injuries.
Prosecutor, Andrew Marshall told the court Ford had gone through the door on the set of Star Wars Episode Seven: The Force Awakens and hit a button before starting to walk back through it, believing the set was not live and that it would not close.
But it was remotely operated by another person, and as Ford passed underneath it, he was hit in the pelvic area and pinned to the ground.
Mr Marshall said there was a “risk of death”.
“It could have killed somebody. The fact that it didn’t was because an emergency stop was activated,” he said.
On February 20, 2014, the film crew, under the direction of producer / director Randall Miller, started filming a dream sequence involving William Hurt as Gregg Allman on a heavy metal hospital bed on a live railroad trestle above the Altamaha River. The producers had assured the cast and crew that it was safe to film there.
While they were shooting, a CSX freight train came around a corner at 58 mph (93 km/h), giving the crew less than a minute to evacuate from the location. The only escape route was toward the oncoming train. Video of the crew indicates that they were unaware how fast it was approaching; some attempted to remove camera equipment and the metal bed from the trestle. 
They failed to remove the bed before the train rolled through, and many of the crew were trapped out on the trestle. The train struck and shattered the metal bed, sending shrapnel toward crew members. Fragments struck 
camera assistant Sarah Jones and propelled her toward the still fast moving train, resulting in her death. William Hurt got off the trestle before the train hit the hospital bed. Several other crew members were injured and were taken to hospital. Read More
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Hollywood star was decapitated while shooting a scene for a movie. The actor was Vic Morrow, the veteran star of the TV series Combat. He was killed, along with child actors Renee Chen and Myca Dinh Le, by a falling helicopter during filming of The Twilight Zone, a feature-length adaptation of Rod Serling’s television series.
When the cameras rolled, pyrotechnic fireballs engulfed Wingo’s helicopter, forcing him down into a river where the actors waded. As a hundred or so people looked on, the right skid of the aircraft crushed 6-year-old Renee, who was a few feet from Morrow (the aging star had dropped her). The helicopter then toppled over, and its main blade sliced through Morrow and 7-year-old Myca. According to Stephen Farber and Marc Green’s exhaustive book on the incident, there was shocked silence until Renee’s mother started shrieking as she kneeled over her daughter’s lifeless body. Morrow never got to deliver his scripted line: “I’ll keep you safe, kids. I promise. Nothing will hurt you, I swear to God.”
Injuries to film production crews are shockingly common. Staff members must often juggle heavy equipment and props to deliver the visual look and feel directors seek. Cast members can be at risk, too; Harrison Ford’s leg injury is only one of dozens of such on-set accidents. In the early days of Hollywood’s filmmaking period, injuries and deaths were extremely common. In fact, during a five-year period ending in 1930, 55 people were killed and almost 11,000 others were injured during film productions. Safety standards have dramatically lowered the instances of injuries or deaths since those days, but have not eliminated the risks.
While statistics on film production injuries in more recent years are hard to come by, it is estimated that between 20 and 40 people are severely injured or even killed each year during the production of a film. This figure is made even more alarming by the fact that annual mining accidents and injuries/deaths in the U.S. law enforcement community are lower than those in the filmmaking industry.
Common injuries in film production include:
- Tripping hazards (cables, wiring, and ropes on sets)
- Injuries from pyrotechnic effects, including explosives and incendiary devices
- Vehicle crashes, particularly in the use of helicopters for filming sequences
- Electrocution hazards
- Falling equipment and props
- Insufficient or non-existent safety equipment on-set
The filmmaking industry is saddled with tight production schedules and budgetary concerns, sometimes negating the safety and welfare concerns of those involved in the production. As movie-going audiences demand bigger thrills and bigger effects, production companies see an increase the potential for an on-set incident that results in a serious injury or death of one of the members of the production.
“Hollywood: Hazard of the Game” is a pretty suspenseful documentary that tells some of the early stuntmen like Harvey Parry, Yakima Canutt, Paul Malvern, Bob Rose, Mrs. Buck Jones and it also tells some short stories about other stuntmen and the dangers they faced.
Stuntman's shooting death in Bliss n Eso music video filming at Brisbane bar caused by armourer's 'failings', coroner says.
Updated – January 2022
A stuntman fatally shot during the filming of a music clip in a Brisbane bar died due to the armourer supplying an illegal weapon and ammunition, a coroner has found.
In the just released coroners report January 2022; Coroner Donald MacKenzie described the death as a tragedy that was avoidable.
He said armourer Warren Ritchie, who supplied the sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun and the ammunition responsible for the fatal shooting, had since died of natural causes.
But he said had Mr Ritchie been alive, he would have faced a range of charges including manslaughter, unlawful possession of a hand gun, and a breach of workplace health and safety causing death.
With manslaughter, the consequences under UK law is prison sentence
typically ranging between 2-10 years.
After the 'Rust' movie set shooting, investigators look into the ammo supplier
Authorities in Santa Fe, N.M., are pursuing a new lead in the October Rust film shooting that left one cinematographer dead and the movie’s director injured.
According to documents shared by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, investigators executed a search warrant on Tuesday for an Albuquerque-based ammunition’s supplier.
Officers are still trying to find out how a live bullet, rather than a blank, was used on set. The search warrant issued was a part of that investigation.
On the day of the shooting, actor Alec Baldwin was handling the prop gun during a scene rehearsal when it went off — striking the film’s director, Joel Souza, and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins later died of her injuries. Baldwin was told by the crew at the time that the gun was safe to use.
“The whole production set became unsafe due to various factors, including lack of safety meetings” as stated by the crew.
The family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, fatally shot on the New Mexico set of the movie “Rust,” announced a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday Feb.15,2021 against the producers of the movie, including star Alec Baldwin, who wielded the gun that killed her.
Rust Movie Productions issued ‘Willful’ citation for Halyna Hutchins’ Rust Movie Productions, LLC receives maximum citation for plain indifference to recognized hazards associated with use of firearms on set. |
SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) on Wednesday released the results of its investigation into the workplace fatality that occurred on the set of “Rust” on Oct. 21, 2021. The report concludes that Rust Movie Productions, LLC management knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed on set and demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety by failing to review work practices and take corrective action. |
‘Rust’ Fallout: Hollywood Studios and Unions Fail to Reach Deal on Firearm Safety 08/27/2022
Talks between the Motion Picture Association and the Hollywood labor unions have failed to produce an agreement on a new law that would address firearm safety on movie sets.
The two sides backed competing proposals earlier this year in Sacramento in response to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in New Mexico last October. Both bills would have established a training standard for film armorers — a job that is currently almost entirely unregulated.
The union proposal would have been more sweeping, however, establishing the role of a “set safety supervisor” who would have the power to shut down productions. Both bills stalled in the legislature in May, but the two sides continued to talk in hopes of reaching an agreement before the Aug. 31 legislative deadline. Read Report
Alec Baldwin to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in 'Rust’ film shooting 01/19/2023
Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting on the New Mexico set of the film “Rust,” officials said Thursday.
Santa Fe First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb announced their decision Thursday morning in a written statement shared with media.
First assistant director David Halls has already agreed to plead guilty for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust”.
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FatKid Films2015 Melbourne Queer Film Festival - World Premiere, Official Selection, The Dream Children, AustraliaJordanMaynoldiBad Friend is a full-service production company based out of New England.
Andrea-intlE-mail Address: [email protected] Film Careers: Distribution Country: United States USA State: California We guide you through cultural pitfalls around the world and help you protect your film and brand in the markets you desire. Cultural Pitfalls helps film production companies, studios, and executives avoid getting their movies banned in foreign markets. We do the same for products and services attempting to launch in international markets. Shirin Drost has fifteen-plus years in the entertainment business, specializing in film, TV, and new media content. She is also helps film production companies in avoiding cultural pitfalls—getting their film content banned—in foreign markets. For development executives, she creates financial development and marketing strategies, and supports the film financing process by arranging pre-sales, including raising development and equity capital. For producers, she consults on the placement of the completed content into distribution. For buyers, she sources content–obtaining the finest content at the best prices. For sellers, she provides pre-market, at-market and general consultation services–with a special emphasis on new media and viral marketing. Ms. Drost also provides content sourcing services for buyers of content–such as TV program services and VOD companies.United States-
SWORD-WORLD-AUSTRALASIASword World specializes in the supply of military swords, accoutrements and sword accessories. Since the establishment of Sword World in 2005 amazing new products have been added to expand the choices open to clients. They include an exciting range of knives and unique products that have been requested by our customers over time.
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johnharviemorrisJohn studied theatre at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He has since travelled extensively performing Theatre, television and independent film productions in the United Kingdom, Ireland and in his homeland Australia. In recent times John has been involved in numerous film projects produced out of Australia and abroad. John’s short film “Safe House” was invited to screen at the prestigious 61st Cannes Film Festival Short Corner achieving much praise and kudos. Safe House was later produced in Hollywood as a feature film starring Denzel Washington. It was in Cannes; France that John met Richard Wayne and henceforth began formulating their idea and concept of creating an international hub for independent film makers, known as World Film Federation. John’s dynamic source of energy, enthusiasm, passion and life experience bring a focused discipline in realising the success of World Film Federation. The solid business relationships he has sustained globally is a testament to his loyalty to others which will continue to make World Film Federation a force to be reckoned with for years to come and a beacon for industry professionals the world over to aspire and partake in the global independent film community in the pursuit to assist all members become successful in their chosen career path.6000PerthWestern AustraliaAUSTRALIAPRODUCER, PRODUCTION
LF_KohlThey call me "SHORTY" I have owned and ran multi construction companies in home and business construction. Business Consultant.United Kingdom
Ozwood entertainmentTony Estephen is a Managing Director at Enviroshield Waterproofing based in North Strathfield, New South Wales. Also owner of Ozwood Entertainment, producing internationally acclaimed films in New South Wales, Australia.-
INDEPENDENT FILMS NETWORKINDEPENDENT FILMS NETWORK funds and produces independent films, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie including feature films ,short films, and web series outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies.
WorldPicturesAustraliaWORLD PICTURES AUSTRALIA is a production company based in Sydney, Australia.
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pabloesparzaESPARZA FILMS We make MOVIES WITH LATINO FLAVOR. The first movie we produced in 2000, made it to the New York Film Festival, "Machete" and it is now for sale at Amazon. com. ----- We have also produced: Los Caminos de Dios, Tribaleros, Carretera nfernal, El Racista, y Mano Negra. ----- Our Mission is to continue making films that in certain ways touch people's souls. -------- CTC acting school has been open since 2015 in Grand Prairie. Workshops are on Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM and on Saturdays @ 10:00 AM We teach: How to act on camera for Film and TV Monologues, improvisation skills, Cold reads, Auditioning skills, how to construct a character, how to read scripts and understand what they want from you as an actor. An actor as a business person, how to behave in auditions, and how to read from voice overs or radio, and finally, how to understand the film industry and make sure that is what the actor wants to do...
RICHARD WAYNE STUNTSRICHARD WAYNE STUNTS Men and women who don't mind taking risks and love the thrill of danger may want to consider this as a career choice. No specific certification or degree is required to become a stuntman or stuntwoman. It would be very beneficial to have somewhat of a diversified background in various activities, such as gymnastics, fencing, sky diving, scuba diving, rock climbing, martial arts, dirt bike racing and stage combat to name a few. The most important skills required are physical fitness, stamina, strength and coordination. Stuntmen are the "faceless action heroes" of film and television. They work the scenes of the movies that are risky. They do live action stunts that make all of us action film lovers drool. Imagine dangling from a helicopter, driving a Ferrari in a high speed chase on windy mountain roads, jumping off rooftops, slashing an evil doer with a sword, crashing an 18-wheeler, or falling off a cliff. This is just a day in the life of a stuntman. Not everyone can be a stuntman. Stuntmen are highly trained professional performers who take risks as part of their jobs. Every stunt is executed exactly as planned, practiced, rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed and reviewed. Stunts are designed to be as safe as possible. A beautifully choreographed sequence is amazing to watch but in reality takes days or even weeks to set up. Stuntmen average $70,000 per year. If you’re newer to the industry, you may only make $5,000 per year. It all depends on how much work you manage to find. The highest end stuntmen can make up to $250,000 per year. All it takes is one stunt to make money – the highest paid stunt ever was $150,000 for jumping off the CN Tower in Toronto. That’s about a $15,000 per second. Stuntmen love their jobs. They get to do death defying stunts and get paid for it. So if high speed boat chases, ninja fights in temples, diving with sharks, parachuting into lakes, walking on walls, or climbing a building sound better than staring at a computer screen, you should look at a career as a stuntman.
WellWorldTVDebra K is the founder of Well World TV, a modern television network sharing inspirational and educational content. She works exclusively with those who want to create video content, distribute it through OTT and SM and she is a media consultant helping personalities get started. She is actively seeking new companies and personalities to work with. Her TV Show credits include an EMMY nomination, ADDY award and her most recent TV show, The Prime Time, was an official selection by the International Film Festival of Manhattan and the Miami Web Fest. She is a published author, keynote speaker and business consultant for wellness brands. She is ready to help you share your message and take your business to the next level.United States
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