Hazards for extras
Being an extra may seem like an easy job, but it does not come without it's risks. Extras face several hidden cautions, most notably tripping over props and wires on set. While filming, there's bound to be many wires and the likes simply lying on the floor. An extra walking from one side of the set to the other will walk over wires and props, without warning they will inevitably trip. A quick and simple way of avoiding accidents is to give any extras a briefing of where any dangers may lie on set. Not only will we give our extras an outline of where the cables may be, but we will tape the wires the floors thus making them harder to trip on.
Another far more dangerous hazards involves sets with an upper or lower level. Here the obvious danger is the risk of falling, and depending on how big the drop is, it could be potentially fatal. In the case of working on a set with multiple levels, caution signs will be put up around areas we find to be hazardous in any way. The only problem with caution signs is that more often than not, they are ignored. Falling from a height is not a hazard one can simply ignore, so we will provide makeshift barricades to block off any dangerous areas. When filming a horror trailer, it is expected that the area will be poorly lit. Having large areas that are virtually pitch black lends itself to accidents happening. Extras will not be as informed as the actors will be with regards to the set, meaning that extras are in bigger danger of hurting themselves than the actors are. There are several ways around this, the most popular being the use of fluorescent paint on areas that are considered a hazard, especially in the dark, such as steps. The problem with this solution is that we may not be able to obtain fluorescent paint, in which case we can use small, dim working lights. These will provide enough light for the extras to see any surrounding dangers, while not causing any disruption to the lighting needed for the filming. Another issue when working in an familiar environment is the strength of the surrounding structures. Especially when filming in an old building, extras may not be aware of any structural weaknesses. The only way around this issue to conduct a structural survey with the extras, informing them of areas that could be hazardous.
Certain scenes lend themselves to injuries more than others, one example would be a chase scene. It is important to follow a pre-designated route during a chase scene, otherwise our extras could get in the way and be pushed over by one of the actors. While actors are acting, they do not have the time to be looking around making sure no extras will be bumped into; therefore it is the job of the extras to avoid all collisions. Another scene that may not seem like much of an issue at the time is during scenes that involve high powered lighting. There always a chance that one of the extremely high powered lights could dazzle them, making them dizzy or in a worse case scenario, faint.
Seeing as we will be shooting a trailer, vast amounts of electrical equipment will be present. As with all pieces of electrical equipment it is important to take extra precaution when liquids are surrounding the equipment. Not only will spillage of a liquid on the equipment cause it to malfunction, but any extras near the high powered lighting could get seriously injured. Finally, the oldest hazard in history; something falling on you. As any filming set, there could be very large pieces of equipment. Extras are going to be the biggest targets of this hazard as their actions tend to be un-scripted. One scenario would be if the actors knocked over a large item, say a wardrobe, the extra would be in danger of the wardrobe crashing down on them. A simple way around this caution is to
Regardless how many precautions are taken to prevent injuries, it is impossible to prevent every possible accident from happening. In the event that an injury does occur, a previously appointed health and safety representative should be on staff. The injured should be taken directly to whoever the health and safety representative may be.
Another far more dangerous hazards involves sets with an upper or lower level. Here the obvious danger is the risk of falling, and depending on how big the drop is, it could be potentially fatal. In the case of working on a set with multiple levels, caution signs will be put up around areas we find to be hazardous in any way. The only problem with caution signs is that more often than not, they are ignored. Falling from a height is not a hazard one can simply ignore, so we will provide makeshift barricades to block off any dangerous areas. When filming a horror trailer, it is expected that the area will be poorly lit. Having large areas that are virtually pitch black lends itself to accidents happening. Extras will not be as informed as the actors will be with regards to the set, meaning that extras are in bigger danger of hurting themselves than the actors are. There are several ways around this, the most popular being the use of fluorescent paint on areas that are considered a hazard, especially in the dark, such as steps. The problem with this solution is that we may not be able to obtain fluorescent paint, in which case we can use small, dim working lights. These will provide enough light for the extras to see any surrounding dangers, while not causing any disruption to the lighting needed for the filming. Another issue when working in an familiar environment is the strength of the surrounding structures. Especially when filming in an old building, extras may not be aware of any structural weaknesses. The only way around this issue to conduct a structural survey with the extras, informing them of areas that could be hazardous.
Certain scenes lend themselves to injuries more than others, one example would be a chase scene. It is important to follow a pre-designated route during a chase scene, otherwise our extras could get in the way and be pushed over by one of the actors. While actors are acting, they do not have the time to be looking around making sure no extras will be bumped into; therefore it is the job of the extras to avoid all collisions. Another scene that may not seem like much of an issue at the time is during scenes that involve high powered lighting. There always a chance that one of the extremely high powered lights could dazzle them, making them dizzy or in a worse case scenario, faint.
Seeing as we will be shooting a trailer, vast amounts of electrical equipment will be present. As with all pieces of electrical equipment it is important to take extra precaution when liquids are surrounding the equipment. Not only will spillage of a liquid on the equipment cause it to malfunction, but any extras near the high powered lighting could get seriously injured. Finally, the oldest hazard in history; something falling on you. As any filming set, there could be very large pieces of equipment. Extras are going to be the biggest targets of this hazard as their actions tend to be un-scripted. One scenario would be if the actors knocked over a large item, say a wardrobe, the extra would be in danger of the wardrobe crashing down on them. A simple way around this caution is to
Regardless how many precautions are taken to prevent injuries, it is impossible to prevent every possible accident from happening. In the event that an injury does occur, a previously appointed health and safety representative should be on staff. The injured should be taken directly to whoever the health and safety representative may be.