[Konvas] I just don't believe it!!! (now off-topic)

[Adam Frey]

> Such as modifying an AK-47 to shoot blank rounds in full-automatic
> mode.

Peter,
I thought, in film anyway, "modifying" an AK-47 was to shoot a blank 
while shooting at least 25 frames per second, then capturing a second 
shot from the barrel from another angle. Then in post, playing thru the 
flame, skipping back two frames, and repeating the flame again. Then 
cutting to the second angle and doing the same. You can show four rounds 
firing, which seems to be enough to fool the viewer into thinking that 
they are seeing an entire clip burst. Usually works for me. And you 
don't have to worry about getting arrested!

The nice thing about AK-47s is that they use the 7.62x39mm round, which 
has enough "flame" to look really good when captured on film.

OTOH, 9mm blanks are extremely unpredictable. You'll have issues 
capturing the flame/smoke with anything less than 32fps - and even at 
32fps, you may not capture the flame, depending on the individual round. 
Some of the cheaper ones are notorious for blowing up in the chamber - 
and you can hear them when they do, as they are twice as loud and the 
the pitch is higher. You often have issues getting them out of the 
chamber as well, since the brass is expanded and pushed tight up against 
the chamber walls...

Of course, you can always go the safe and easy way and add your flames 
in post production. Much, much, much safer than bringing a live round of 
any sort to a film set. Realistically speaking, sound is the probably 
better seller of the shot anyway...

btw: For those that don't know, a blank round (ie, one that does not 
fire a projectile) does not have enough backwards pressure to push the 
bolt back. If the bolt doesn't go back (and subsequently forth), it can 
not reload another round, thus only one round is fired at a time. This 
means the person holding the gun needs to manually operate the bolt and 
reload a fresh round. A blank round does have enough force to kill a 
person though, so be extremely careful and treat a blank round with as 
much respect as any other round.

> And BTW, "blanks" are deadly items when misused-- BLANKS CAN KILL. 
> And they can cause severe injury, permanent damage that is crippling, 
> and pain and suffering that will haunt you.

Absolutely agreed,
Being extremely respectful of guns and what they are capable of, here 
are a few things that I let people know:

1) Guns are not toys.

2) Never point a gun at anything unless you plan on shooting/killing it.

3) When a gun has live rounds, the safety is always considered OFF.

4) The gun remains pointed at the ground at all times, until it is being 
aimed at the target.

5) Until the words "Clear" and "Safe" are spoken in reference to the 
chamber, magazine, and bolt, and the guns are placed in their respective 
carrying cases and a lock put on them, all guns are still considered live.

6) A blank is still a live round (aka, a deadly round) - it just travels 
less distance (ie., it has less range).

7) Trust people that are familiar with guns EVEN LESS than people that 
are unfamiliar with guns! Cops and hunters have many, many gun related 
accidents every year - and they are all extremely familiar with guns. 
About 15 years ago, I knew a law enforcement officer (with over 20 years 
in the force) that shot a hole in the side of my father's truck because 
he "thought the gun was unloaded" and pulled the trigger to check...

8) Anyone unsafe with his/her gun WILL get a heavy-handed fist across 
his/her chops - and I'm NOT going to pay for the dental visit!


Adam Frey
Director/Cinematographer
Crimson Chain Productions
http://crimsonchain.com

Crimson Chain Productions
PO Box 35
Libertytown, MD 21762