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Prop firearms

OK, so for this latest project we will be using a prop firearm (Tanaka Plug Cap pistol). Years ago we we used blanks, the problem being they are ridiculously loud! So we found a supplier who sells film prop guns, with realistic looking bullets, with much less volume, but they are front venting and perfect for what we need (and for people in the UK - it is quite difficult to actually buy these! I am an FAC competitive shooter, and don't even have as many hurdles buying firearms!).

Anyway, long story short - I want the best sound possible, and these are OK, but any good sources for stock sounds of 9mm pistols? The visual effects are perfect, it's just the sound that bothers me. I was thinking of firing off some blanks and overlaying the sound, but with the advent of the VCR Act, I daren't take the risk, lest I end up with police pointing guns at me. Solutions?
 
Just check out SoundDogs.com and Sound-Ideas.com. They have most of the major sound effects libraries, and you can buy by-the-sound at SoundDogs. You should also check out Chuck Russom FX, Hollywood Edge and Boom Library.

This thread may be of interest (guys who actually record sounds for libraries and major feature films hang out here):

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/post-production-forum/489796-new-sound-fx-library-releases-29.html

Also, check out FreeSound.org - you'll have to weed through a lot of garbage, but there are some real diamonds in the cesspool.

There's even some good stuff here:

http://freefirearmsfx.com/
 
I am planning to do a bunch of recording of a range of guns for a sound effects pack in the next few weeks. They will end up on the http://rocksuresoundz.com website. But I guess that's not going to help you much if you need them right now....bit of a shame about the timing. Should be some fun doing the recording though!
 
... for people in the UK - it is quite difficult to actually buy these! I am an FAC competitive shooter, and don't even have as many hurdles buying firearms!

The reason it's so difficult in the UK is because in most filming circumstances it is in effect illegal for anyone to use a firearm (real or prop) without a certified armourer. As far as sound is concerned, Alcove has provided you with good suggestions but I would very strongly advise you to at least discuss your proposed scene/s with a UK certified film armourer, well in advance of your filming!!

G
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Rocksure: As it happens we don't need the sound samples just yet, post-prod won't be for a while yet, we're just scouting for the best files at the moment. The pistol used will be a Glock 17 (outdoor/open air), so an outdoor close recording of any 9x19 would be great.
 
The reason it's so difficult in the UK is because in most filming circumstances it is in effect illegal for anyone to use a firearm (real or prop) without a certified armourer. As far as sound is concerned, Alcove has provided you with good suggestions but I would very strongly advise you to at least discuss your proposed scene/s with a UK certified film armourer, well in advance of your filming!!

G

Thankfully we don't need an armourer as we're using plug barrel props instead of firearms. The difficulty is because of the VCRA which limits the sale of imitation firearms (ironically making it easier to buy air pistols than airsoft guns or rubber cast guns). Plus the only pistols II could get on FAC here have to have a minimum barrel length of 30cm or overall fixed length of 60cm because of the amendements to the Firearms Act in '97. A lot of people I know and shoot with are still bitter about that, but I'm solely a rifle man :D
 
Thankfully we don't need an armourer as we're using plug barrel props instead of firearms.

You may or may not be legally obliged to use a certified armourer (even with a prop gun!) but either way it would still be very wise to have a chat with one! Even if you can get away without using an armourer, there are still various procedures you will need to comply with if you wish to avoid finding yourself in the cross-hairs of an armed response unit! Remember, all it takes is a passer by to believe you are brandishing a firearm (or imitation firearm) with intent (which presumably is exactly what your script calls for) and you have committed a criminal offence.

G
 
Plug guns thankfully don't require an armourer present (non-projectile, no hot gas release) as they use caps, akin to those in the plastic kids' guns. All we've had to do is get a URN number from Thames Valley Police (so they make the local station aware of filming and use, and possibly send a PCSO to oversee the filming), and gain local authority permission. Of course we've gone a step further and written letters for the local residents of the location to make them aware before-hand, including the police reference number. Luckily the prop guns make things much easier than using blank-firers and guns as they remove the safety risks. The difficut part is obtaining them in the first place, due to VCRA restrictions, but luckily the prop suppliers have been wonderfully understanding.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Rocksure: As it happens we don't need the sound samples just yet, post-prod won't be for a while yet, we're just scouting for the best files at the moment. The pistol used will be a Glock 17 (outdoor/open air), so an outdoor close recording of any 9x19 would be great.

It won't be till November till I get to do this. At this point I'm not totally sure of the range of guns I will get. Mostly it will be rifles and air guns, because here in NZ it's pretty difficult to get access to hand guns, though I do hope I will manage to as my idea is to get a good range of them recorded.
 
When my team and I were making my first short film BROKEN we really wanted to have functional and professional looking guns for the project.

Obviously we weren’t going to use real guns and getting our hands on working prop guns was too cost prohibited. We knew we could create some bad ass muzzle flashes in visual effects but I wanted to have some practical guns on set, that had blow back, to enhance the VFX and ultimately make the guns fights look real.

Watch the video below to get all the details.

http://www.indiefilmhustle.com/ifhtv-prop-guns-for-your-film/

TIPS-GUNS.jpg


Alex Ferrari

Indie Film Hustle
www.indiefilmhustle.com

Become a Fan: www.facebook.com/indiefilmhustle
 
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