UK import rules for film and TV work

[Hfuy]

Hi,

I'm interested in importing one, or more probably a pair (in case we break one) of CO2-operated gas blowback airsoft handguns into the UK. They would be used as props in a film production. The reason we do this is simply that it is cheaper and safer than blank-firing handguns.

The VCRA does include a defence for this exact purpose; I've read the relevant rules and I believe that I'm operating within the law. However, it isn't something I've done before (I'm a freelance cameraman by trade) and I'd be grateful for any input.

The first thing is, unlike the airsoft skirmishing defence, there is no specified paperwork the law says you can provide to prove you're a bona fide film production. I have scripts and cameras and a website detailing what I do for a living and an IMDB entry with credits to my name, but I've seen the forms the courier company send out and it seems to be pretty much tick a box and it's on trust; they don't request any further documentation.

What concerns me is not so much that it'll get held up in customs; if that happens, fair enough, we'll deal with the problem. What concerns me is that the front door of my house will come down at 4am and a police firearms team will bust in in a cloud of tear gas.

The other thing that worries me is: what do I do with the damn things after I'm done shooting the movie, because suddenly I'm not a film production anymore and as far as I can see I become ineligible to legally own them. Sell 'em to an airsofter?

-H

[chownsy]

Aslong as you can prove you are in the prodution of movies there should be no problems.

You should not get your door bashed in aslong as you dont go waving these around in public, dont go abusing them or trying anything stupid with them. (carry them in a descrete bag when in public, unloaded and magazine not in the same compartment as the pistol)

Also its not illegal to possess these, its illegal to buy them with out defence. so once finished filming, if you know you are going to be doing another film with them then you can keep them (as long as they are kept secure)

Out of interest what pistols you hoping to get?

Regards

Richard

[Hfuy]

Aslong as you can prove you are in the prodution of movies there should be no problems.

Sure, fine, but the law doesn't actually give any guidance as to how you're supposed to establish that. It doesn't say how you're supposed to prove you're a movie. We're not a big movie, we're a co-op of a few filmmakers - we're all professional in the industry, but this project does not have the sponsorship of Paramount Pictures or whatever and it is this that makes me nervous. As far as I can interpret from the law, if you're making a synchronised audio-visual recording of a dramatic work, you're a film.

Of course, one does not go waving these things around in public; I have specified that the only locations where they'll be used are completely out of the line of sight of any public area, and I've even spoken to the local police about giving them prior warning of what we're doing and when, so they can avoid creating an unnecessary flap. As far as I'm concerned they'll be tagged and kept in locked cases and treated with the greatest caution and utmost circumspection and generally handled exactly as we would handle the real thing.

As to what I'm after, the irony of it is that this is a sci-fi piece and they're likely to end up with bits of fibre-glass moulding stuck all over them, looking much less like a real gun than they did to begin with. I'm after whatever the cheapest option that's made of metal is. The point here is to give the actor something that has convincing weight and has some motion to it when fired; they won't even be loaded with the plastic pellets. So, whatever's cheapest, metal, and gas powered. Suggestions welcome.

H

[chownsy]

It is hard but as long as you have pli insurance and can prove that your actually making a film/theatical performance then you should be fine.

As to weapons i would choose:

Gas http://www.rsov.com/index.php?target...roduct_id=3662

gas http://www.rsov.com/index.php?target...roduct_id=3674

CO2 http://www.tokyo-model.com.hk/ecshop/goods.php?id=288 (this with the long mag would be a good choice as the shorter mags one dont like firing much as they cool down far too fast)

Also with GBB pistols you will need to hold the slide lock down to stop it locking back unless you do use ammo in it.

and if you do get the last one i picked out (if it had long magazines) i would be interested as i need a few long magazines for mine (there is a review of my KWC taurus at www.madmercsairsoft.co.uk

[Hfuy]

Originally Posted by chownsy

http://www.rsov.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=3674

That's one of the ones I was looking at; the way the slide works is suitably futuristicky on its own.

What I'm really after is just something that has a heavy topslide and a reasonably powerful kick, just so it does something when the actor pulls the trigger.

I'd been told about needing to trick the thing into repeating with no pellets in it; can you advise on that or is it fairly obvious how it works when you look at them?

When you say "Gas" that's basically just butane, aerosol propellant, right?

H

[chownsy]

Originally Posted by Hfuy

That's one of the ones I was looking at; the way the slide works is suitably futuristicky on its own.

What I'm really after is just something that has a heavy topslide and a reasonably powerful kick, just so it does something when the actor pulls the trigger.

I'd been told about needing to trick the thing into repeating with no pellets in it; can you advise on that or is it fairly obvious how it works when you look at them?

When you say "Gas" that's basically just butane, aerosol propellant, right?

H

nooooo lol not just that gas lol.

you need an adaptor to use Propane (no other works in them really) if your after a good kick to the pistol that should do it, I will help you out with finding the gas when you have the pistol.

The slide lock is easy when you see it (but i will help out)

where you filming this and is it going to be released at the cinema's?

[Hfuy]

Cinemas, ha, if we're lucky. If we were a big movie we'd go to one of the firearms effects places like everyone else.

I'll post again when I have more information; this is really just a feasibility study at the moment.

H