Custom made weapons at DVinfo.net

Martin Taidy · September 1st, 2006, 04:12 PM

Hey everyone, I have a short coming up and we're currently trying to gather the props that we need like weapons and stuff. There are only 2 more items that we need, a scythe and something that's kinda hard to describe but I'll try. It's like a hybrid between a kama and a tonfa with a blade at the edge, we need a pair of those.

I'm wondering if anyone know of a place or someone who does custom made weapons? I told my lead actor that we could always a real scythe at the risk of getting his limb/s chopped off :P But yeah, any help is greatly appreciated.

Boyd Ostroff · September 1st, 2006, 06:51 PM

We frequently use "Weapons of Choice" for our operas. They sell and rent all kinds of interesting things...

http://www.weaponsofchoicetheatrical.com/

Justin Tomchuk · September 1st, 2006, 07:29 PM

You can buy cheep dollar store guns and paint over the orange parts. They look real. Or airsoft guns but they can be expensive. Boyd's suggestion is a much better choice though.

Elliot Press · September 10th, 2006, 09:26 AM

...and paint over the orange parts.

This idea does work but it's worth mentioning that it is a federal offence in many countries to do this. Believe it or not.

Sean McHenry · September 11th, 2006, 03:37 PM

On airsoft and painting off the orange, I believe that the police departments, not to mention your insurance agents would much rather have you, in a controlled situation on a film or video hot set with painted airsoft weapons than out there with real weapons. I used 2 airsoft (real cheap ones) in my short Cat Fight at OK and Corral. I painted the tips for the shoot but don't take them anywhere other than sets and then, they are controlled (locked in the trunk or otherwise well out of sight).

These are Really popular to use on sets, especially if you go so far as to get the units that have Gas Blow Back. They cock and fire like regular weapons using compressed gasses. For lots of info on GBB Airsoft weapons, buy the short film "Broken" from http://www.Whatisbroken.com. They have almost 3 hours of footage on how they made their short that they are working on as a feature production. If you buy the DVD, let Alex and the gang know Sean McHenry sent you there.

You can google airsoft to see how realistic they can be. The shotgun and hand gun I used ran a total of $70. The second largest expense in my short.

You can see Cat Fight on my web site. We didn't make full use of them there but will in the sequel.

Sean

Cole McDonald · September 11th, 2006, 06:05 PM

I talked to the local police iin my area for our feature, and they referred me to the local regulations. So I took the firing mechanism out of the guns and plugged the barrels so they couldn't fire. I also made sure to call them before and after we were filming.

Talk to the local police and let them know what you want to do. depending on where you live, if you present your self professionally, you will get all kinds of support from them and what they are willing to let fly.

I always start with "My name is Cole McDonald, I'm a local independant filmmaker. I was wondering..." I've always gotten a positive response from being professional when dealing with others on the phone to ask for bizarre things...we had a real camel arranged for use in the last 48 hour film project if necessary.

Jerry Waters · September 24th, 2006, 06:53 AM

We painted our airsoft guns with ultra flat black paint. It gives a good look.

Cole McDonald · September 24th, 2006, 09:04 AM

You may want to use plastic primer first to get the paint to take on them.

Donovan Cerminara · March 14th, 2007, 04:32 AM

A major point to remember, any ´realistic´firearm depiction requires these elements:

Believable chassis
Muzzle Flash
Cartridge Ejection
´Action´ (the bolt or whatever)
Recoil
Heft

Too many times have I seen actors brandishing plastic weapons, forgetting that REAL firearms are made of metal and reasonably heavy.

Of course, even Hollywood movies fail in some of these categories... Having shot the SPAS-12 with full loads (blanks), I had difficulty selling the recoil... (blanks don´t kick as there is no projectile)...

www.detonationfilms.com

They´ve got spent brass, muzzle flashes, the works... Their gallery includes some rather innovative shorts, too... (and no, I don´t get kickbacks... heheheh)

September 1st, 2006, 04:12 PM	#1
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Custom made weapons Hey everyone, I have a short coming up and we're currently trying to gather the props that we need like weapons and stuff. There are only 2 more items that we need, a scythe and something that's kinda hard to describe but I'll try. It's like a hybrid between a kama and a tonfa with a blade at the edge, we need a pair of those. I'm wondering if anyone know of a place or someone who does custom made weapons? I told my lead actor that we could always a real scythe at the risk of getting his limb/s chopped off :P But yeah, any help is greatly appreciated.

September 10th, 2006, 09:26 AM	#4
Elliot Press Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 29	...and paint over the orange parts. This idea does work but it's worth mentioning that it is a federal offence in many countries to do this. Believe it or not. __________________ Kiss me...I'm Irish

September 11th, 2006, 03:37 PM	#5
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	On airsoft and painting off the orange, I believe that the police departments, not to mention your insurance agents would much rather have you, in a controlled situation on a film or video hot set with painted airsoft weapons than out there with real weapons. I used 2 airsoft (real cheap ones) in my short Cat Fight at OK and Corral. I painted the tips for the shoot but don't take them anywhere other than sets and then, they are controlled (locked in the trunk or otherwise well out of sight). These are Really popular to use on sets, especially if you go so far as to get the units that have Gas Blow Back. They cock and fire like regular weapons using compressed gasses. For lots of info on GBB Airsoft weapons, buy the short film "Broken" from http://www.Whatisbroken.com. They have almost 3 hours of footage on how they made their short that they are working on as a feature production. If you buy the DVD, let Alex and the gang know Sean McHenry sent you there. You can google airsoft to see how realistic they can be. The shotgun and hand gun I used ran a total of $70. The second largest expense in my short. You can see Cat Fight on my web site. We didn't make full use of them there but will in the sequel. Sean __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

September 11th, 2006, 06:05 PM	#6
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I talked to the local police iin my area for our feature, and they referred me to the local regulations. So I took the firing mechanism out of the guns and plugged the barrels so they couldn't fire. I also made sure to call them before and after we were filming. Talk to the local police and let them know what you want to do. depending on where you live, if you present your self professionally, you will get all kinds of support from them and what they are willing to let fly. I always start with "My name is Cole McDonald, I'm a local independant filmmaker. I was wondering..." I've always gotten a positive response from being professional when dealing with others on the phone to ask for bizarre things...we had a real camel arranged for use in the last 48 hour film project if necessary. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

September 24th, 2006, 06:53 AM	#7
Jerry Waters Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 136	We painted our airsoft guns with ultra flat black paint. It gives a good look. __________________ Jerry Waters Arize Productions

September 1st, 2006, 06:51 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	We frequently use "Weapons of Choice" for our operas. They sell and rent all kinds of interesting things... http://www.weaponsofchoicetheatrical.com/

September 1st, 2006, 07:29 PM	#3
Justin Tomchuk Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 164	You can buy cheep dollar store guns and paint over the orange parts. They look real. Or airsoft guns but they can be expensive. Boyd's suggestion is a much better choice though.

September 24th, 2006, 09:04 AM	#8
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	You may want to use plastic primer first to get the paint to take on them. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

March 14th, 2007, 04:32 AM	#9
Donovan Cerminara New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 16	Don´t forget the heft! A major point to remember, any ´realistic´firearm depiction requires these elements: Believable chassis Muzzle Flash Cartridge Ejection ´Action´ (the bolt or whatever) Recoil Heft Too many times have I seen actors brandishing plastic weapons, forgetting that REAL firearms are made of metal and reasonably heavy. Of course, even Hollywood movies fail in some of these categories... Having shot the SPAS-12 with full loads (blanks), I had difficulty selling the recoil... (blanks don´t kick as there is no projectile)... www.detonationfilms.com They´ve got spent brass, muzzle flashes, the works... Their gallery includes some rather innovative shorts, too... (and no, I don´t get kickbacks... heheheh) __________________ Donovan Cerminara Bull By the Horns Productions bullbythehorns@gmail.com