On the set of the new film trilogy about young George Washington, producers made gun safety a priority
Trilogy will broadcast President’s Day on NTD TV
For Immediate Release (Weatherford, TX) —With gun safety now a prominent issue in the filmmaking industry, producer and director Tammy Lane and assistant director Zach Kepple made certain the cast and crew of the new film trilogy, “Washington’s Armor,” were given the highest level of safety training. Because the trilogy centers on the life of a young George Washington, the type of guns used in the pre-Revolutionary War period posed a unique challenge.
“We made sure any crew member handling weapons had to do a training and firing session,” says Kepple. “All main and background actors went through a three-day intense soldier training session on proper handling, marching, and maneuver with our weapons provider, Veteran Arms LLC.”
Additionally, a set armorer, Dan Dearing, was tasked to deal with the specific safety concerns of the vintage weaponry.
“Black powder produces a much larger flash and more smoke,” says Dearing, whose resume includes several feature films. “You must be careful that individuals or props or anything that could possibly catch fire is protected from the possibility of smoldering particles coming out of the end of the barrel. Generally, I would allow a much larger distance between black powder and anything beyond the barrel. It is really not any more dangerous than smokeless, it just produces a larger flash that really turns into a potential fire hazard.”
Dearing says he also has rigid procedures and safety measures in place for any film set that uses firearms.
“I do not allow anyone to come into contact with the firearms unless they are my associate or they are the actor who is going to actually be using the firearm,” says Dearing. “And this goes whether or not they are going to fire blanks or if they are just going to have the firearm in hand empty as a visual prop. Prior to any scene using guns, I consult with the director, actor, cinematographer and any other associated individuals that will be on set during the actual firing. We go through the scene to see where cameras will be placed, where the actors will be standing or moving, how many rounds they’ll be firing, etc. I look over each scene and I determine whether or not it will be safe. At the end of each scene, the firearms are immediately given back to me and I am in complete control of them at all times. At the end of the filming day, they go into a lock box and go home with me. The fewer the people involved in the actual handling of the firearms, the less likely any problems."
“Washington’s Armor” takes place about 20 years prior to the Revolutionary War. Lane says the project began as a short film, then blossomed into a full-length feature, and finally made its way to the trilogy. Lane says she was committed to presenting the real George Washington.
“Although we took creative license in a couple of instances, for the most part, this film is factually and historically correct,” says Lane. “This trilogy sheds light on the truth about George Washington and the people he surrounded himself with who were integral to the founding of our nation. I believe people will be inspired by his bravery and sense of duty, his devotion to God and country, and his ability to persevere through difficult circumstances. This trilogy doesn’t shy away from dealing with both the good and the bad moments of our nation’s history. America needs to embrace its true history and make sure it is preserved for the next generation. In the words of George Washington himself, ‘There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.’”
“Washington’s Armor” will premiere on NTD TV on President’s Day, February 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm Central. Epoch TV subscribers will get an early viewing on February 18 at 7:00 pm Central. For more information visit https://www.washingtonsarmor.com/.
“We made sure any crew member handling weapons had to do a training and firing session,” says Kepple. “All main and background actors went through a three-day intense soldier training session on proper handling, marching, and maneuver with our weapons provider, Veteran Arms LLC.”
Additionally, a set armorer, Dan Dearing, was tasked to deal with the specific safety concerns of the vintage weaponry.
“Black powder produces a much larger flash and more smoke,” says Dearing, whose resume includes several feature films. “You must be careful that individuals or props or anything that could possibly catch fire is protected from the possibility of smoldering particles coming out of the end of the barrel. Generally, I would allow a much larger distance between black powder and anything beyond the barrel. It is really not any more dangerous than smokeless, it just produces a larger flash that really turns into a potential fire hazard.”
Dearing says he also has rigid procedures and safety measures in place for any film set that uses firearms.
“I do not allow anyone to come into contact with the firearms unless they are my associate or they are the actor who is going to actually be using the firearm,” says Dearing. “And this goes whether or not they are going to fire blanks or if they are just going to have the firearm in hand empty as a visual prop. Prior to any scene using guns, I consult with the director, actor, cinematographer and any other associated individuals that will be on set during the actual firing. We go through the scene to see where cameras will be placed, where the actors will be standing or moving, how many rounds they’ll be firing, etc. I look over each scene and I determine whether or not it will be safe. At the end of each scene, the firearms are immediately given back to me and I am in complete control of them at all times. At the end of the filming day, they go into a lock box and go home with me. The fewer the people involved in the actual handling of the firearms, the less likely any problems."
“Washington’s Armor” takes place about 20 years prior to the Revolutionary War. Lane says the project began as a short film, then blossomed into a full-length feature, and finally made its way to the trilogy. Lane says she was committed to presenting the real George Washington.
“Although we took creative license in a couple of instances, for the most part, this film is factually and historically correct,” says Lane. “This trilogy sheds light on the truth about George Washington and the people he surrounded himself with who were integral to the founding of our nation. I believe people will be inspired by his bravery and sense of duty, his devotion to God and country, and his ability to persevere through difficult circumstances. This trilogy doesn’t shy away from dealing with both the good and the bad moments of our nation’s history. America needs to embrace its true history and make sure it is preserved for the next generation. In the words of George Washington himself, ‘There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.’”
“Washington’s Armor” will premiere on NTD TV on President’s Day, February 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm Central. Epoch TV subscribers will get an early viewing on February 18 at 7:00 pm Central. For more information visit https://www.washingtonsarmor.com/.
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About Tammy Lane/Capernaum Studios:
Tammy Lane, producer/director of “Washington’s Armor,” is the founder and president of Capernaum Studios, a film set and event center on 40 acres just outside Weatherford, Texas. Lane has written and directed four live theatrical productions and has produced and directed eleven short films and three music videos, including the award-winning release Crimson. She produced and directed three seasons of the reality series, Mission Reality, ministering to India’s orphans, widows and people with leprosy. Capernaum Studios has been used by many major productions including The Chosen series, the highest crowd-funded project of all time. For more information visit https://www.capernaumvillage.com. |
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About NTDTV:
NTD TV reaches 23 million cable, satellite, and telco subscribers in the United States. In the U.K., NTD is available to over 20 million TV homes through SkyTV 190 and Freeview 271 through Channel box. In addition, to serve viewers watching TV with antennas, NTD has 65 television affiliates reaching more than 60 million homes across the United States. NTD’s free app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store and from Google Play. NTD’s streaming services can also be found on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV, as well as Sony Smart TV. For more information visit https://www.ntd.com/. |