A recent incident on a movie set reminded the entertainment industry of set safety, especially as the business copes with the operating pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accident happened when a prop firearm designated “cold” (not holding live rounds) was discharged, killing the cinematographer and injuring the director.

Despite well-established safety protocols, accidents still may occur on movie and television sets. Between 1990 and 2014, at least 194 serious accidents occurred, causing at least 43 deaths.1

In the immediate aftermath of the accident in October, there have been changes. Some in the industry are calling for a ban on live firearms on sets and better working conditions. At least one television drama has banned live ammunition from its set.2

More pressure from COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the production and financial pressures on the industry have intensified, creating an environment in which safety protocols for film and television productions may have diminished.

After the extended production shutdown in 2020, public demand and financial necessity has resulted in many productions with tight shooting schedules.

The industry is also feeling the pain of a tight labor market and a sometimes-contentious relationship with the film crews and their unions. Fewer — and often, less experienced — production employees are working longer hours. Strict COVID-19 safety protocols have also created more pressure on film crews.

Take common-sense safety measures

Mitigating risks starts with common-sense safety measures. These measures must be communicated early and often during production.

Some measures to improve safety include:

  • The cast and crew should participate in safety training, especially when the production encompasses a hazardous situation involving firearms, pyrotechnics, and air or water stunts.
  • Adequate time for breaks, rest and mental recovery from production pressures are essential for maintaining set safety.
  • A hazard assessment to identify and prepare for potential dangers during production goes a long way towards ensuring set safety. Technical coordinators can help identify the risks and manage them.

No production wants to experience an accident, and one that results in death is devastating. The human cost, of course, is inestimable.

But the resulting shutdown in production can cost thousands of dollars a day and will affect insurance costs as well. As the entertainment industry struggles to recover from the impact of the pandemic, set safety simply cannot be ignored.

HUB International’s team of sports and entertainment industry experts can help mitigate risk and procure coverage through its broad scope of knowledge and expertise of the industry.

1 New York Times, “Recent Accidents on TV and Movie Sets,” October 22, 2021.

2 Los Angeles Times, “ABC’s ‘The Rookie’ bans live weapons after Alec Baldwin incident,” October 24, 2021.