Rif for Filming

[saturnThursday]

My LTD company wants to produce a few short films on YouTube (showing off our video & audio editing skills as well as the writing talents of my friends who wrote the scripts) and we tried shooting with a two-tone rifle but the bright green colour was too unrealistic. I'd like to look into legally purchasing an RIF so what are my chances of finding a UK seller who will be okay with this? Do I need some sort of liability insurance too? Sorry for the noob question, this is my first time in the airsoft world!

 

[Asomodai]

It is a little murky. If you are part of a film production company and are on Companies house you should be able to purchase under that basis. It will be up to the shop as to whether to allow you to buy from them. A Company ID would probably be needed to satisfy the purchase. 

I know Wolf Armories sell to Film Production companies quite often. 

If you are going to film in a public place with RIFs, then public liability insurance is suggested along with permission from the local police. Cordon off etc. 

 

[HoltDT]

Before you do ANYTHING anywhere you may be seen by the public you MUST contact the police before hand to let them know you're filming with RIFS

I was on a short WWI film production, set on a beach with a replica SMLE, and the police were called, but we alerted them before we even arrived so nothing bad happened.

Film production is a valid defence so i'm sure if you directly email any supplier and can prove you're a production company they won't have a problem with it.

 

[saturnThursday]

It is a little murky. If you are part of a film production company and are on Companies house you should be able to purchase under that basis. It will be up to the shop as to whether to allow you to buy from them. A Company ID would probably be needed to satisfy the purchase. 

I know Wolf Armories sell to Film Production companies quite often. 

If you are going to film in a public place with RIFs, then public liability insurance is suggested along with permission from the local police. Cordon off etc. 

We're a marketing agency (I believe advertising agency specifically on CH) but yes registered on Companies House with a business address etc. No public places, just private locations including potentially a warehouse and people's private land.

 

[Crazy_Crystal]

We're a marketing agency (I believe advertising agency specifically on CH) but yes registered on Companies House with a business address etc. No public places, just private locations including potentially a warehouse and people's private land.

generally speaking it would still be prudent to give people a heads up that this is happening.

regarding sourcing rifs as a marketing agency you may be out of luck as this is what the law states as a defence (see below). but equally you may find it easier to get in a group of reenactors/airsoft impressionists(we tend to be a vain lot, and generally don't mind helping people out for a doughnut) or failing that a specialist props company.

(c) production of films (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48)_see section 5B of that Act);



(d)the production of television programmes (within the meaning of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)_see section 405(1) of that Act);

 

[Tommikka]

We're a marketing agency (I believe advertising agency specifically on CH) but yes registered on Companies House with a business address etc. No public places, just private locations including potentially a warehouse and people's private land.

As others have said:

Its very worthwhile to inform the police just to aware that you are filming. They do get call outs because someone has seen a gun and suspicious activity 

(They even get call outs when there’s an entire film production unit everywhere)

As a business I assume you’ve got public liability in place 

A marketing / advertising promotion piece doesn’t properly meet the VCRA film production defence, and as it is a demonstration of editing & script writing the colour of an IF/RIF is less relevant 
(Look back at Jesus Christ Superstar .... a Hollywood film with Roman centurions wandering around in steel helmets and armed with MP40s .... even if you follow the story that it’s a theatre group on a day out)

However .... a retailer only needs to satisfy their sale is reasonable and they won’t be at risk of prosecution under the VCRA.  Ring one and run through what your intention is, then you’ll still have props for future productions.

Possession is all fine - the VCRA just covers the sale

An easy option is to say whereabouts you are and when you intend to film, (plus any theme you’re after) someone will be willing to come down as extras or to supply loan RIFs

 

[saturnThursday]

generally speaking it would still be prudent to give people a heads up that this is happening.

regarding sourcing rifs as a marketing agency you may be out of luck as this is what the law states as a defence (see below). but equally you may find it easier to get in a group of reenactors/airsoft impressionists(we tend to be a vain lot, and generally don't mind helping people out for a doughnut) or failing that a specialist props company.

(c) production of films (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48)_see section 5B of that Act);

(d)the production of television programmes (within the meaning of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)_see section 405(1) of that Act);

Yes absolutely, I thought we'd let local police know too just as a precaution. I may need to look into getting in a group of reenactors then - my only issue with airsofting is that I don't necessarily want to go to the three games needed to get the license (nothing against it though!)

 

[EDcase]

I bought my first Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) under film/TV production defence but can't remember which retailer it was.

I sent an email to them with my company details and an explanation of the purpose.

I remember I also asked A2Supplies and they wanted my public liability insurance number.

So if you have PLI then you'll likely be able to get a RIF depending on the retailer.

- If filming on private land within view of the public definitely inform the police and preferably any local residents beforehand.

- Don't even think of filming on public land.  For that you need many permits for that.

 

[saturnThursday]

I bought my first Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) under film/TV production defence but can't remember which retailer it was.

I sent an email to them with my company details and an explanation of the purpose.

I remember I also asked A2Supplies and they wanted my public liability insurance number.

So if you have PLI then you'll likely be able to get a RIF depending on the retailer.

- If filming on private land within view of the public definitely inform the police and preferably any local residents beforehand.

- Don't even think of filming on public land.  For that you need many permits for that.

I've been researching and have found that different retailers require different things. I don't actually have public liability insurance, so if there's a retailer who is okay with that please let me know! I don't know if it's worth it or even possible to arrange insurance just for the specific amount of time we'll be shooting for (plus unknown time in the future)

 

[EDcase]

You'll just have to contact them to see if they'll accept your defence

 

[DrAlexanderTobacco]

Some thoughts - Could you pay an Airsofter local to you on this forum £X to turn up for half a day, so they can sit around and watch you film what you need to film, using their RIFs? Seems like a quick route to a solution and it would be a business expense etc.

 

[Albiscuit]

Call around a couple of retailers and ask them. They will either be helpful or not entertain the convo.

to be fair with the way the economy is as long as you can convince them over the phone you will be ok. 
A retailer just has to convince themselves you have a defence, this defence  could come in many forms, filming is generally one that’s acceptable.

As mentioned Wolf Armouries have a track record of supplying props for filming so worth calling them first