by T. Craig
Watching great westerns are more intense when there's a gunfight. Two rivals stare each other down, then draw and fire. One combatant drops to the ground, the victor winces and walks away.
A cloud now hangs over Hollywood movie sets as the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of the western film "Rust", has sparked new calls for workplace safety measures. On set deaths are rare but they happen. The Los Angeles Times review of US government data, reveal that at least 19 deaths took place on film sets between 2010-2019. Cast and crew are often exposed to dangerous and hazardous situations.
Alec Baldwin's on-set shooting of Halyna Hutchins (pictured at right) and Director Joel Souza left people in the industry and outside of it wondering how such an incident could even happen in the first place. Extreme precautions are assumed to be taken by film professionals, unions and legal advisors onset.
“There’s no way somebody gets injured unless someone violates the firearm safety guidelines or if there’s a problem with the firearm,” said Jeffrey Harris, an attorney in Atlanta who caters to clients in Georgia’s bustling film industry.
The issue has now gotten so intense that there is legislation banning live ammunition and firearms from movie sets altogether. A movie starring your favorite action stars would no longer use real guns on set. Frankly, when you ask professionals in the industry, the answer repeatedly is that the guns themselves aren't the issue but there should be NO live ammo anywhere on the set.
When it comes to onset firearms, dozens, possibly hundreds of films use them. Think of the war films, the Westerns, the detective shootouts and the crime dramas. But now this new call for a substitute for firearms that could injure, brings new opportunities for innovation and possibly even more CG. Guns are easily one of the most recognized items in American film and culture. From day one, Hollywood movies have always used them to tell stories. Now there are new and more urgent concerns on movie sets that are aimed at making the set safer.
Guns in movies aren't supposed to operate like real ones. They should sound real, often using sound imported in later. They should also be handled by actors with a good understanding of the basics of gun safety. Strict regulations and tight scrutiny is often the norm on sets, but when it isn't, things can and do go wrong. What are your thoughts? Do you believe movies will be made differently as a result of the Rust" movie set tragedy? Let us know @infocustvoline
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Meet the new Agent 007
Lashana Lynch is a British actress that's been busy building a strong portfolio and the world is taking notice. She is best known for playing the role of Rosaline Capulet in the ABC period drama series Still Star-Crossed and fighter pilot Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel.
Lynch made her film debut in the 2012 drama film Fast Girls, a production presented at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. In it, she plays a runner from a British team nominated for the World Athletics Championships. She later co-starred in the BBC television film The 7.39 with David Morrissey, Olivia Colman and Sheridan Smith. On TV, she has appeared in Silent Witness and Death in Paradise, and was a regular cast member on the short-lived BBC comedy Crims in 2015. Also in 2015, she starred opposite Lenny Henry in the title role of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Educating Rita by Willy Russell, which played in the Minerva Theatre from 18 June to 25 July.
The Guardian's review described her as "dazzlingly fresh".[11] In 2016, Lynch was cast as leading character Rosaline Capulet in the American period drama series Still Star-Crossed, produced by Shonda Rhimes. In 2018, she joined the cast of the pilot episode of Y: The Last Man as Agent 355, but was replaced by Ashley Romans in the main series.
Today, Lashana Lynch is claiming her time in the spotlight as a force to be reckoned with on screen. Her profile got an enormous boost in her role as Nomi, the stealthy, dangerous new 007 of "No Time to Die". HOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHT host Kerry-Ann gives you the rundown on some little known facts about this captivating star. Lashana Lynch is likely to be a name we movie lovers will be hearing a lot more about. #Hollywoodspotlight #
