Last October, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins passed away when Alec Baldwin fired a revolver that was supposed to hold real rounds, but was instead loaded with a real bullet. It all happened on the set of the film “Rust”.
At the same time, the filming of Netflix’s big Norwegian investment “Troll” was held here at the house. In one of the scenes, actors Mads Sjøgård Pettersen and Gard B. Eidsvold are standing with a rifle and a pistol aimed at each other.
MILITARY: Mads Sjøgård Pettersen plays an officer in the film. Photo: Francisco Munoz/Netflix
– Were you particularly attentive to the safety of weapons after that tragedy?
– Yes, that’s clear enough. It happened right around that, as far as I can remember, I think it was while we were recording. So there was a further tightening of those routines, Sjøgård Pettersen tells Good evening Norway, and adds:
TRAGEDY: Alec Baldwin fired a shot on the film set, resulting in death. Photo: ANGELA WEISS
– There was a stir in the entire film world.
– Slightly different gun culture
Gard B. Eidvold says they had great weapon routines hence the set for Trolls.
– Before each shot, and moment, the person in question shows that the weapon is unloaded, not only to me, but also to everyone around. It has to be safe, says Eidsvold.
He doesn’t understand how things can get so bad in the United States.
– I don’t know what happened over there, but they have a slightly different gun culture than we have in Norway. We probably have slightly different ways of handling it. It shouldn’t be, but… says Eidsvold.
TROLL HUNTER: Gard B. Eidsvold’s character is passionate about Trolls. Photo: Francisco Munoz/Netflix
Neither actor felt any discomfort using guns after the incident with Baldwin.
– I didn’t think much about it, says Eidsvold.
– I felt very safe, says Sjøgård Pettersen.
A wake-up call for everyone
Trolls director Roar Uthaug confirms they have become more aware of gun safety since the tragedy.
– I myself feel that in Norway we take safety very seriously, but it is clear that it was a wake-up call for everyone who works with cinema, says Uthaug.
DIRECTOR: Roar Uthaug thrives in the Norwegian environment. Photo: Francisco Munoz/Netflix
She is happy that the actors felt safe, adding that it was a terrible accident that happened in the United States.
– I think, first of all, it was very sad for her and her family, when we make films in Norway, we are like one big family. It must be absolutely awful to suddenly find yourself in such a situation, says Uthaug.
See Scandinavia’s biggest cinematic explosion: – Totally surreal!
Trolls will premiere on Netflix on December 1st.
