Off Duty Officer on Set

[PaulGriffith]

Do you guys have any experience working with an off duty officer on set?

The permits in Dallas require it. On our private property sets we don't need it, but seeing as how guns and prop guns (no blanks or bullets, that's all digital) will be involved we consider it a plus.

Will a cop-friend willing to volunteer fit the ticket, or do they need to be hired?

Any other ideas how to stay legal for less?

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[sonnyboo]

We were required to hire a few off duty police officers when we shot in Youngstown for Horrors of War (weird to shoot sets downtown in a modern city doubling for Germany). They gave us the location for $1 if we paid the police officers $15 an hour to escort us to and from the city owned property.

It was worth every dime. Whenever we shot blanks, there would be return fire from a near by neighborhood.

A cop-friend would suffice, but they have to clear it with the department if they are going to wear a uniform. Restaurants and bars do this a lot. Call the police department and ask.

 

[PaulGriffith]

That does sound like a pretty sweet set-up.

Rates here are closer to $30-40 an hour and the entire production will be about 28 hours of shooting. Not cheap, but you do get what you pay for.