Why can't movie production companies hire firearms advisors?

[red headed stranger]

If you know much of anything about Any Particular Subject, you will notice that the movies almost always get it wrong 

Yep pretty much.  For example most musicians cringe whenever they see people "playing" musical instruments on screen. Also, most "conductors" on screen are pretty laughable too. 

I think the problem is that to get things completely authentic you need a technical advisor at every single step of the production process. It may not add much to the cost of a movie to have a couple more consultants, but it costs a lot of money having a know-it-all step in to correct things every step of the way.  This could really slow down a very tight schedule.  And when costs are in the thousands of dollars an hour range, details necessarily get overlooked.

Whenever I go to see a movie I try to turn off my inner Cliff Clavin and just let my suspension of disbelief take over. 

[RoadKingLarry]

If you know much of anything about Any Particular Subject, you will notice that the movies almost always get it wrong 

Which is the main reason I don't normally watch submarine movies.

I do like Up Periscope though.

[Perd Hapley]

It shouldn't take a weapons expert to point out to some of these directors that standing in a circle around the target, with guns drawn, is inconvenient at best.


I can now say that Ultraviolet is the worst offender in this regard. But one must endure the first half hour of the film to understood just how badly they screw that up. 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/172559/ultraviolet

[BReilley]

I think the problem is that to get things completely authentic you need a technical advisor at every single step of the production process. It may not add much to the cost of a movie to have a couple more consultants, but it costs a lot of money having a know-it-all step in to correct things every step of the way.  This could really slow down a very tight schedule.  And when costs are in the thousands of dollars an hour range, details necessarily get overlooked.

I get what you're saying, but it sure seems like in a room full of actors, staff, set people etc. SOMEONE should be equipped with the common sense to tell CSI that a 22.5" bus tire, being driven to destruction at high speed, does not go "pfft" when it fails... it sounds like a 12ga and can send rubber bits far and fast enough to penetrate your lab coat or knock your safety glasses off Ask me how I know.

Or to the firearms angle, isn't there SOMEBODY in the cast or crew who has fired a Glock or 1911 and knows a little about strikers and hammers?

[RaspberrySurprise]

It shouldn't take a weapons expert to point out to some of these directors that standing in a circle around the target, with guns drawn, is inconvenient at best.


I can now say that Ultraviolet is the worst offender in this regard. But one must endure the first half hour of the film to understood just how badly they screw that up. 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/172559/ultraviolet

At least Ultraviolet makes no claims or attempts at being anywhere near realistic.

[HankB]

If you know much of anything about Any Particular Subject, you will notice that the movies almost always get it wrong   

As do most news shows.

[Tallpine]

As do most news shows.

Too true 

Is there some sort of process in journalism schools that sucks any possible particle of practical knowledge out of the students' brains 

Or are journalists from an alien planet and grew up without any local knowledge of life here on earth...? 

[Monkeyleg]

Journalism is one of those fields young people go into because they can't design a widget, write a computer code, argue a legal case, diagnose a cold, fix a motor, or replace a faucet. If they didn't go into journalism, they'd have to become cops.

[Viking]

Journalism is one of those fields young people go into because they can't design a widget, write a computer code, argue a legal case, diagnose a cold, fix a motor, or replace a faucet. If they didn't go into journalism, they'd have to become cops.

I don't know how to do any of those. I am also too honest to be a journalist.

[HankB]

Journalism is one of those fields young people go into because they can't design a widget, write a computer code, argue a legal case, diagnose a cold, fix a motor, or replace a faucet. If they didn't go into journalism, they'd have to become cops.

Or publik skool teechurs.

[seeker_two]

Journalism is one of those fields young people go into because they can't design a widget, write a computer code, argue a legal case, diagnose a cold, fix a motor, or replace a faucet. If they didn't go into journalism, they'd have to become cops politicians.

Fixed for reality....

[Perd Hapley]

At least Ultraviolet makes no claims or attempts at being anywhere near realistic.

Let's hope it also makes no claims to being a good flick.

[Antibubba]

Because safe firearms handling is boring onscreen.  Simple as that.

[Phyphor]

Or to the firearms angle, isn't there SOMEBODY in the cast or crew who has fired a Glock or 1911 and knows a little about strikers and hammers?

Even if there was, would they be able to bend the ear of a producer or a director/assistant director?