Prop Gun Set Safety Workshop

Prop Gun Safety workshops are crafted to educate and empower the current and next generation of entertainment Armorers, meeting increasing production demands while improving over all safety for our crews and cast alike

We serve a diverse range of entertainment industry professionals, from Property Masters and their Assistants to both new and established studio Gun Wranglers. While Feature Films and TV dominate the Armorer work in the industry, our expertise extends to stagehands in theater, theme parks, and trade shows.

Our program is uniquely accessible to both union and non-union crew members. We also make this critical knowledge available to related crafts, including Camera Operators, Key Grips, Set Medics, Set Teachers, UPMs, and Assistant Directors and others.

Directors, Writers, Actors, and Stunt Performers each gain unique benefits from a proper understanding of safe gun handling for film.

For over a quarter-century, Dutch Merrick has been a prominent figure in the Film and TV industry as an Armorer and Propmaster. Beginning his journey in the 1980s as a competitive shooter, Dutch brings 40 years of safe firearms experience to his teaching.

Dutch is a past President of Hollywood’s largest craft union, I.A.T.S.E. Local 44 Hollywood Property Craftspersons, representing the Propmasters and Armorers who set the industry standard. An accomplished author and award-winning filmmaker, his prop work has been featured in acclaimed TV shows such as SEAL Team (Paramount+), CSI: NY (CBS), Euphoria (HBO), and ROAR (Apple TV+), as well as in notable films including S.W.A.T. and First Man.

What’s Included

• Includes a firearms safety guide, blank ammunition, all class materials, a frameable Certificate & some cool Prop Gun Safety swag

Itinerary

In 8 hours we cover:

• Essential safety protocols for handling prop firearms
  The real capabilities (and risks) of working guns used in production
  Common hazards when using replicas or alternatives like Airsoft guns
  Industry-standard terminology and communication techniques.
  And more!
• Beginning with an introduction to essential “real-world” firearms safety, we then learn the ropes for handling & managing firearms used as props on a film set or stage.
• Next, the class will examine the process of blocking and filming a scene with prop guns and film action using practical blank fire.
• We round out the day with an in-depth group discussion of the 3 past failings with blanks used on productions.

Check-In Details
Arrive before the scheduled 9am start time and be ready to be focused and engaged for the day.

What to Bring

• A writing implement of device to take notes with.

• You may want to bring lunch or be prepared for a walk-away lunch at the break..

Restrictions
Convicted felons are legally barred from handling firearms.

Extras
All training follows strict safety protocols and instructor supervision.

Disclaimers
Convicted Felons are legally barred from handling arms.

Full refund if cancelled within 48 hours of class start time.