The tentative contract, announced over the weekend, includes increased compensation for directors, a promise that studios won’t use artificial intelligence technology to replace directors, and the addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for guild members. The new safety measures include “the ban of live ammunition on set,” although the guild did not provide further details or a timeline. However, it appears that real firearms will still be allowed.
The move towards a ban on live ammo comes after the fatal shooting involving Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust in 2021. During the rehearsal of a scene, a live ammunition round found its way into a gun being used by Baldwin, which was discharged and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin initially faced criminal charges, but prosecutors in New Mexico eventually dropped the involuntary manslaughter claims against him.
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Lawmakers in California and New York have tried to get live ammunition banned from movie and TV sets since the shooting, and numerous cinematographers have separately tried to push for a blanket ban on functional firearms. Despite the growing outcry, Hollywood had not adopted an industry-wide standard until now.
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Under the proposed DGA contract, productions will likely have to rely more heavily on post-production visual and sound effects to simulate gun firing and other weapons.
Hollywood is currently in limbo due to the writers’ strike, with numerous productions on hold as various guilds align behind the Writers Guild of America’s work stoppage.
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