Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - 1 killed and 1 wounded on set of Alec Baldwin movie

aaronck · 10-22-2021, 12:21 PM

Post from Calgary propmaster Dean Goodine

Spoiler!

I couldn't sleep last night with all the messages I had about the tragic accident on set yesterday in Sante Fe.
As I laid awake, I think I replayed the over 1 million rounds of blanks firing I have been apart of in my career.
I thought about how much safer the industry became after the tragic death of Brandon Lee.
I thought about my safety talks every morning of the "Open Range" shoot out that started with me saying "My Job as a Prop Master is to send you home safe tonight, and for that to happen you have to listen to me. I will have the final say as to whether it is safe or not."
I thought about the time I told the producer I would lock the guns up if safety was being compromised and him going off on me, but I would not back down.
I thought about the time I would not let a Director have an actor shoot a revolver at somebodies face, and him undressing me verbally in front of the crew, but I did not back down.
I thought about the only time Kevin Costner got mad at me during the "Open Range" shootout when he changed the angle of a close up shot and I said we have to change to our special electric gun that would take 10 minutes while we were in meal penalty.
At the end of the scene he thanked me and said he got caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and invited me to ride to lunch with him.
I thought about all the rifles, cannons and Machine guns on "Legends of the Fall, Ararat, and Passchendaele". I thought about the plastic rods we used on every rifle so we could tell the barrels were clear when they left, and if any had obstructions when they were returned.
I thought about dry firing every revolver that was being used in a rehearsal so all knew it was safe.
I thought about the late Dennis Weaver who asked my why I was continuously showing him is Colt was safe. My answer "It was out of your sight, and I want you to know it is safe. He told me the story about being given a prop gun in the 50's and during a break, he decided to #### it and pull the trigger. To his shock he fired a bullet into the floor. He had been given a loaded gun. He then said, you can stop showing me, I trust you.
I thought about the guy who brought us a vintage Luger to use in a film, and as a bonus he brought us a box of live ammo. We told him to remove it from our office.
I thought about the time I had a weird gut feeling to dry fire my camera ready ammo as I was cycling it through a Winchester. Only to find out the primers were still partially live and pushed the head of the bullet into the rifle barrel. After a heated conversation with my ammo supplier the way primers were made inert was changed.
I thought about the T-Rods we made to make sure every open barrel weapon had clear barrels before we loaded blanks. We also look down them with flashlights.
I thought about my line "Safety will never be sacrificed for a sunset" in reference to the crazy last hour in perfect light.
I thought about all the people I told, you cannot stand there. Do you need to be here? Can you pull focus from the other side of the camera. We need to put lexan up. Can this camera run remotely?
I thought about the Kevlar vest I carried on my truck as an extra level of protection for people
I thought about the armourers who if they were loud, brash gun lovers, were never invited back to my set. To me it is a tool I have to make sure is safe in a performers hand that is all. I like quiet pros. I learned that from the late Eddie Aiona who got quieter when the firearms were out. I am also very quiet.
I thought about the camera operator who said to me a few years ago "I am always happy to see you on a set because I know we will be safe." There is a responsibility for all Prop Masters in that line,
I thought about the growth of our industry in the past decade and the pressure new Prop Masters must feel without the wealth of experience and mentorship.
I thought about the accountant on a big show a few years ago who said "Props is usually an after-thought in the budget." That is what new Prop Masters have to deal with.
I thought about both Alec and Francis who I worked with and what they are going through.
My heart broke for the young Cinematographer who lost her life.
I thought we as a group have to figure out how to never let this happen again.

10-22-2021, 12:21 PM	#24
aaronck Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Sep 2009 Exp:	Post from Calgary propmaster Dean Goodine Spoiler! I couldn't sleep last night with all the messages I had about the tragic accident on set yesterday in Sante Fe. As I laid awake, I think I replayed the over 1 million rounds of blanks firing I have been apart of in my career. I thought about how much safer the industry became after the tragic death of Brandon Lee. I thought about my safety talks every morning of the "Open Range" shoot out that started with me saying "My Job as a Prop Master is to send you home safe tonight, and for that to happen you have to listen to me. I will have the final say as to whether it is safe or not." I thought about the time I told the producer I would lock the guns up if safety was being compromised and him going off on me, but I would not back down. I thought about the time I would not let a Director have an actor shoot a revolver at somebodies face, and him undressing me verbally in front of the crew, but I did not back down. I thought about the only time Kevin Costner got mad at me during the "Open Range" shootout when he changed the angle of a close up shot and I said we have to change to our special electric gun that would take 10 minutes while we were in meal penalty. At the end of the scene he thanked me and said he got caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and invited me to ride to lunch with him. I thought about all the rifles, cannons and Machine guns on "Legends of the Fall, Ararat, and Passchendaele". I thought about the plastic rods we used on every rifle so we could tell the barrels were clear when they left, and if any had obstructions when they were returned. I thought about dry firing every revolver that was being used in a rehearsal so all knew it was safe. I thought about the late Dennis Weaver who asked my why I was continuously showing him is Colt was safe. My answer "It was out of your sight, and I want you to know it is safe. He told me the story about being given a prop gun in the 50's and during a break, he decided to #### it and pull the trigger. To his shock he fired a bullet into the floor. He had been given a loaded gun. He then said, you can stop showing me, I trust you. I thought about the guy who brought us a vintage Luger to use in a film, and as a bonus he brought us a box of live ammo. We told him to remove it from our office. I thought about the time I had a weird gut feeling to dry fire my camera ready ammo as I was cycling it through a Winchester. Only to find out the primers were still partially live and pushed the head of the bullet into the rifle barrel. After a heated conversation with my ammo supplier the way primers were made inert was changed. I thought about the T-Rods we made to make sure every open barrel weapon had clear barrels before we loaded blanks. We also look down them with flashlights. I thought about my line "Safety will never be sacrificed for a sunset" in reference to the crazy last hour in perfect light. I thought about all the people I told, you cannot stand there. Do you need to be here? Can you pull focus from the other side of the camera. We need to put lexan up. Can this camera run remotely? I thought about the Kevlar vest I carried on my truck as an extra level of protection for people I thought about the armourers who if they were loud, brash gun lovers, were never invited back to my set. To me it is a tool I have to make sure is safe in a performers hand that is all. I like quiet pros. I learned that from the late Eddie Aiona who got quieter when the firearms were out. I am also very quiet. I thought about the camera operator who said to me a few years ago "I am always happy to see you on a set because I know we will be safe." There is a responsibility for all Prop Masters in that line, I thought about the growth of our industry in the past decade and the pressure new Prop Masters must feel without the wealth of experience and mentorship. I thought about the accountant on a big show a few years ago who said "Props is usually an after-thought in the budget." That is what new Prop Masters have to deal with. I thought about both Alec and Francis who I worked with and what they are going through. My heart broke for the young Cinematographer who lost her life. I thought we as a group have to figure out how to never let this happen again.