Advice on Aquiring Inexpensive Airsoft Guns for Film
 

Hi guys,

I'm looking to your expertise for some advice here. I am an independant filmmaker in Toronto, and I am gearing up for production of my feature next summer. The film is a modern adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, in which the Queen is a drug dealer and the Rabbit is a paranoid schitzofrantic. Needless to say, the script includes it's fair share of guns.

Now, my shopping list includes the following:

4x MP5s (for the 'cards'... the Queen's entourage)
2x Silver Berrettas
2x UZIs
1 PSG1 (or similarily sexy sniper rifle for the Queen)
And the probaably a few CSI SR-16s and AK-47s, but those are just gravy.

Note that, their functionality is not paramount, and these will never actually be loaded with pellets, nor used for anything besides props on private property. Because of this, I am looking for cost-efficient guns that look their part without close inspection. As you might have imagined, I have had alot of trouble finding exactly what I want in Canada. To my dismay, most of my most affordable options seem to only be available from American retailers, such as www.airsoftsurplus.com

An idea of what I'm looking for, from said retailer:
http://airsoftsurplus.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=009
http://airsoftsurplus.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=020
http://airsoftsurplus.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=001
http://airsoftsurplus.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=002

Thank you for your help and time guys. I appologize in advance for any ignorance I may portray on the this subject, I know very little about guns, besides their looks- which makes sense, given my profession.

Thanks again.

Do you have all the permits and allowances that will let you film with replica weapons within city limits? Have you notified the appropriate authorities of your intentions?

Every 10 minutes or so someone comes in saying they're a filmmaker.. so its just good to know.

I should also mention, I have looked at all of the Canadian retailers listed here, and I am afraid that their product line is far too rich for my blood. It seems that their guns are based on both functionality AND looks, when I only need the former.

Nope, I don't have a permit, and I don't plan to get one. I am not shooting within the city limits. I am only from Toronto, not shooting the film here.

If you must know, the film is being shot in the middle of a sod field in Alliston Ontario.

Point is, if some farmer drives by and sees a bunch of people in a field with guns... you'll be met with some unpleasant response from the police.

There are quite a few memebrs of the film industry here on board, including Skruface I believe. They might be able to point you in the right direction, and confirm that you've taken all necessary precautions and conformed to procedure. 'Film Makers' are met with intense scrutiny on this board, as most real film makers (even independant and on a budget) get a master of arms to secure the props for them.

It's only one farmer. ;) We have secured a location in which the only surrounding property is his, and his alone. In addition, the schedualed location is not within sight of any highway or residential/commercial buildings.

I think you're missing the point here.

Are you talking about a gun wrangler, or just someone who can secure the props legally and pass them on to myself for the filming?

If gun wrangler, no, I cannot afford one. If the other, I would be very interested in this course of action.

Unfortunately, I would not say I am involved with the film 'industry,' as this film of only $10,000 (including equipment) is definately not for profit, only publicity.

OK, and I'm honestly not trying to seem aggressive here, what was the point exactly? The only people who see this set will be the crew, the actors, and the owner of the property, who has agreed to all of this in advance.

As a disclaimer, I will repeat, if I am missing somthing here, please excuse my ignorance.

Renting the equipment, along with having a master of arms will not only be safer, but it might not be that much more expensive.

The cheapest guns I ever saw in Canada are about 200$ a piece, a far cry from the 12$-50$ from that site.

Which is why I want those REALLY REALLY cheap guns. Unfortunately, a 'master of arms' is out of the question. Most of my shooting dates, are dependant on the weather. Some scenes will be held off, for example, untill we have a cloudy day. Master of Arms cost money per hour, and have to be booked in advance (I can only assume). Due to the nature of this film, I can't swing that sort of cash. Plus, I want to have these guns for future projects.

What you have to do to get any kind of airsoft; get age-verified, and contact one of the Canadian Retailers. See if they have something cheap that fits your needs. If not, sorry.

What you really have to do even if you're in the middle of nowhere, is follow the advice given here; get the proper permits anyway. Airsoft are still considered Replicas at the very least and that means paperwork.

Not advising the authorities, specially these days, is asking for the kind of attention you cant afford.
Your choice entirely.

Oh, and I hope by 'safer' you don't mean physically safer for the cast and crew, because, as I said, I wont even be purchasing ammunition, let alone loading it into the guns.

So to answer your original question, no, there aren't any dirt cheap guns in Canada. It's no worth the hassel to import.