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PROP GUN SAFETY WORKSHOPS

Making Hollywood Safer,
One Shot at a Time!

Prop Gun Safety Training aims to be the gold standard in training film and Television Prop craftspeople, Gun Wranglers and Armorers to the highest standards of film set safety protocols

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Home: Welcome
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WHY PROP GUN SAFETY WORKSHOPS?
WHY NOW?

PGS was formed to fill the clear void in hands-on and truly effective training programs for entertainment Gun Wranglers, Armorers and other Prop Professionals

Immersive, hands-on participant involved training is the most effective way to establish this crucial skill set. Total Participant Involvement has proven to be the best approach to building the necessary skills to safely and confidently manage prop guns

MODERN METHODOLOGY

Through Total Participant Involvement, we educate, engage and empower our graduates to be the safest they can be

Hands-on, immersive workshops are a new and innovative approach to learning safe gun handling skills in theatrical entertainment

By creating a collaborative learning environment, people are empowered to learn by trial and error and making mistakes in a safe environment. Mistakes made in the classroom are part of the learning process and prevent failures on set, where it really counts.

EXPERIENCE IS TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE INDUSTRY IN RECORD VOLUME

Baby Boomers are retiring from our craft in record numbers, creating an unprecedented talent drain behind the scenes in Hollywood. While consumer demand for new entertainment is at an all time high

Prop Gun Safety workshops are crafted to educate and empower the current and next generation of entertainment Armorers, meeting increasing production demands while improving over all safety for our crews and cast alike

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HOLLYWOOD CENTERED, INDUSTRY ACCESSIBLE

Located in Hollywood and Burbank, CA

We cater to the broad range of entertainment industry gun handlers. From Property Masters and Assistants to established Armorers. 
Feature Films and TV are the lion's share of Entertainment Armorer work. We also serve stage hands in theater, theme parks and trade shows.
We uniquely broaden our program's reach to both union and non-union crew. And purposefully make this knowledge available to other directly affected crafts as Key Grips, Set Medics, Set Teachers, Camera Operators UPMs and Assistant Directors.
Writers, Directors, Actors and stunt performers each benefit in a unique way from proper knowledge of safe gun handling

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LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE

Founder and Chief Instructor Dutch Merrick

For more than a quarter century Dutch has been working in Film and TV as an Armorer and Propmaster.
Starting in the 1980's as a competitive shooter, he brings 35 years of safe firearms experience to his teaching. He is a past President of Hollywood's largest craft union, I.A.T.S.E. Local 44 Property Craftspersons. Which represents the theatrical Propmasters and Armorers who set the standard for the entertainment world. Also a writer and award-winning film maker, his prop work has been seen on TV shows such as SEAL Team/ Paramount+, CSI:NY/ CBS, Euphoria/ HBO and ROAR/ Apple+ TV. As well as features including S.W.A.T. and First Man

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ESTABLISHING NEW SAFETY PRACTICES RAISES THE BAR FOR THE INDUSTRY

More than a Century of Safe Film Firearms

Guns have been in constant use for entertainment production for more than a hundred and thirty years. Hollywood productions fire tens of millions of studio safety blanks each and every year.
Safely.
With recent events shining an ever brighter light on our behind the scenes practices, we are raising the bar for safety higher than ever

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GALLERY
RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY

Real experience.
National Interviews and guest lectures

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Elaina Winter ATL Grad
Lisa Walker firing
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On the set of "Roar" for Apple TV
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Note and review!
Total Participant Involvement workshop
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Engage, process, understand
Learn to identify real from fake
On set in teh mountains of Southern Califorina playing as "Afghnistan"
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Demonstrate safe practices
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"Super" Hero prop gun
Dutch Merrick
M 249 SAW Rifle for SEAL Team/ CBS Television
Teamwork
Hands-on Training
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Study, practice, understand
ABC 20/20 "The Deadly Take" Dec, 11 2021
Leadership
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KNOWLEDGE
AND EXPERIENCE

When safety is on the line, never compromise.

Recognized industry leader Dutch Merrick brings to the table a grounded,
first hand industry knowledge that shapes our teaching style.
With more than 50 National and international Broadcast and print interviews, Dutch is a recognized authority on stage and set safety.

CONNECT WITH US

Hollywood California

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WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

2023

9 am - 6pm

SUNDAY January 22nd [Filled]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6pm

SUNDAY February 5TH [Filled]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY March 12th [Filled]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop
8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY April 16th [Orange County, CA]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop
8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Fullerton, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY May 21st [Filled]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop
8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY June 11th [Taking deposits]

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop
8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY July 9th

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6pm

SUNDAY October 15th

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 13th

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6pm

SUNDAY September 10TH 
LABOR DAY WEEKEND-AFTER SPECIAL RATE $299!

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

9 am - 6pm

SUNDAY November 12th

Prop Gun Safety Essentials Workshop

8 hours of immersive, hands-on training
Burbank, CA

Home: Schedule
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INQUIRIES/ APPLICATIONS

Apply to attend an upcoming workshop
Or simply ask a question here

Thanks for submitting!

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