Summary
Quentin Tarantinoshares a controversial take on the topic of using real guns on a film set. The topic has been frequently debated since 2021, when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on the set ofRustwhen Alec Baldwin fired a gun, having been told that the weapon contained no live rounds. The2024 reimagining ofThe Crowhas further reignited the discussion because of actor Brandon Lee’s death in an accidental shooting while filming the 1994 version. The 2024 film banned all real guns from the set.
While on theClub Random with Bill Maherpodcast (viaVariety),Tarantino explained why he is against using fake guns on film setsdespite the tragedies that have occurred. He emphasized the positive impact that using real guns and live rounds can have during the filming of a project and how the effect is not something that can be recreated during the post-production process. Tarantino also highlighted the entertainment industry’s overall success history of using firearms on sets. Check out his comments below:
I guess I can add digital erections to porno movies, but who wants to f*cking watch that? It’s exciting to shoot the blanks and to see the orange, the real orange fire, not add orange fire.
For as many guns as we’ve shot off in movies, we only have two examples of people being shot on the set by a gun mishap. That’s a pretty f*cking good record.
Rust & The Crow Are Enough Reason To Use Fake Guns
Better Gun Safety Is Needed
Despite the points Tarantino makes about the overall successful history of gun safety on film sets, the tragic incidents that occurred on the sets withactors inThe CrowandRustprovide substantial evidence that real guns and live rounds should not be used during filming.The thrill that shooting live rounds adds to a film is not a justifiable trade-offto the inherent risk of such practices. The necessary safety measures are more important than needlessly risking the lives of cast and crew members.
Tarantino’s direction, the cinematography, the acting, the stories themselves, and even the action would have remained just as resonant without using real firearms.
An actor should be able to convincingly portray the intended emotion of a scene without having to rely on an actual firearm, and a director should be able to effectively direct a scene without this as well. Many projects require far more imagination and difficult circumstances to adapt to than not being able to fire an actual gun with live rounds. If such adaptations can be made for other factors, there is no reason why this adaptation cannot be made as well.
As prominent as gun-related action is inInglourious Basterds,Django Unchained, and otherTarantino movies, the action is only one of many elements that made these films well-received. Tarantino’s direction, the cinematography, the acting, the stories themselves, and even the action would have remained just as resonant without using real firearms.Quentin Tarantinoshould seeRustandThe Crowas tragedies that have shown the industry’s need to do betterinstead of reducing them to statistical anomalies.
Source:Club Random with Bill Maher(viaVariety)
Quentin Tarantino
Discover the latest news and filmography for Quentin Tarantino, known for Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.
