People Arming and Training Hollywood Recoil Staff March 14, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Hollywood armorer Nic Johnson recently wrote an interesting article about what goes on behind the scenes of an action film. Weapons, training, tactics, safety…it's all obviously a huge concern, although realism is of course less important than a visually appealing scene with great sound effects. Why else would an M67 frag have approximately the same explosive power of a GBU-12, or a flashbang the ability to blow out all the glass in a skyscraper? Johnson writes, “As a former armorer, I have a ton of respect for the men and women that keep the actors and crew members safe during the filming of feature films, television programing [sic], commercials, and other creative media productions.” He also mentions what he calls the Hollywood Conundrum. “Firearms and Hollywood politics can be like oil and vinegar. One side is all about gun control,the other about the action and suspense of a well-rehearsed gunfight. (And the classic gas ball explosion) Yes, they completely contradict each other and it's a complicated case of love & hate. Being a pro-firearm advocate in Hollywood isn't easy. The professional armorers involved in Hollywood productions have the experience and dedication to take the discussion head on.” Another thing he touches on are the inaccuracies that so frequently aggravate movie-goers who know anything about guns. “Sometimes the vision doesn't quite meet reality.Hollywood is famous for bending the truth and sometime misrepresenting reality. There is a lot of “tea cupping”, “chicken winging”, “flagging” and overall bad technique in the respect to firearm handling and behavior. I guarantee you that many of the on set armorers are doing their best to prevent these actions. Ultimately no matter how hard they try correct an actors bad habits or advise and correct the director's expectations, the final cut don't often reflect the expectations of the viewing audience.” You can read Johnson's whole article about arming and training Hollywood here on Linked In. [The image from True Detective Season 2 above is courtesy of the website moviepilot(dot)com; the screenshot from Way of the Gun courtesy criticspeak(cot)com.] Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
