1st Rule of Directing: Safety is Not Last

Directors? Do Not: I repeat: Do Not: no matter how tempting it might be: Do Not: ever, under any circumstances: Do Not Shoot Your Actor! Like that may be some unwritten rule, like at least up until this point, 'k?

Conversely. Actors? Never let a director point a gun at your head. Rule of thumb on this: never. It leads to nowhere good. If for whatever reason, you do find yourself with a director pointing a gun at your head, take a moment and ask him/her if that's a real gun they have pointed at your head. This breaks the ice a little if you're feeling a little tension coming off the barrel. If the gun is real, next point of order is to ask if they've checked if it's loaded or not - like you know, recently (as in just before they picked it up this very moment to point it at your head the only one you've got). Then you'll have a clearer idea of your situation. At the very least you'll have confirmation that like maybe the director is pointing that gun at you because it's actually going to happen in the show and not because he/she is swinging his/her psychopathic impulses. 'Coz, at least, then you'll know. Because like what psycho ever shot a gun without first taking the time to make sure it was loaded or not? And who wouldn't, unless they're shooting from a tower or somewhere hidden, when asked politely, be happy to supply that requested information? Oh, another thing, weapons checks and fight rehearsals are not optional.

And, just another point of safety? Although I have a feeling I'm preaching to the choir here. Even if you're absolutely sure there are blanks in the gun? Do Not: I repeat: Do Not: Put-the- Gun-To-Your-Head-&- Pull-the-Trigger. I used to work in a theater in upstate New York. Remember Jon-Erik Hexum? He used to work there and you know what? Even then he always played with his props - weapons too. And he played with his props until the day he pulled the trigger on a .44 magnum and was killed by the impact of the blank. He died on the way to the hospital. 'Coz guns are dangerous, 'k?

h/t Parabasis.