This document provides a template for conducting a risk assessment for a film opening title sequence shoot. It involves identifying hazards, who or what may be harmed, existing controls, and determining the risk level. Several specific hazards are identified such as tripping, rain, miss-stepping, sharp objects, filming near roads, and tripping on wires. For each hazard, the risk level is assessed and further actions are proposed to reduce the risk. A risk assessment chart is also provided to define the different risk levels.
1. FILM OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE SHOOT RISK ASSESSMENT
This document is intended as a basic template to assist in the completion of a risk assessment for film production activities.
Detailed information is available from a variety of risk management and risk assessment specialists. Useful information can also be obtained from the Health
& Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk
When conducting a risk assessment, consider all the likely hazards; who may be harmed, property which may be damaged, and the controls already in place.
Then, for each likely hazard, bearing in mind the controls already in place, record the ‘risk assessment’ level. The further action(s) to be considered will be
determined by the level of risk assessment.
HAZARD IN WHICH SCENE
IS THIS HAZARD
PRESENT?
PERSON WHO MAY
BE HARMED
PROPERTY THAT
COULD BE
DAMAGED
RISK CONTROLS
ALREADY IN PLACE
RISK ASSESSMENT
*See chart
FURTHER ACTION
TO BE TAKEN
Tripping/Falling Scene
One(Storyboard)
The main Character
(Me)
Clothing on the
main character,
possible filming
props such as mask
for main character.
Smooth surface to
walk on, not
uneven. This is to
avoid tripping.
Moderate. Make sure to film in
appropriate lighting
conditions so the
main character can
see and avoid
anything that
would cause him to
fall.
Rain Scene
One/Three(Storyb
oard)
The camera The college’s
camera that is being
used to film.
Scene requires dark
but dry shot, so I
shouldn’t film when
its raining.
Moderate. Check weather
forecast, make sure
to check for clouds
to avoid future rain.
Miss-stepping All Scenes,
Excluding One
and Twelve.
(Storyboard)
The camera man,
possible actor.
The Camera. Strap on camera to
holster it to the
person filming.
High Do a few practise
runs without the
camera, then with a
object with similar
2. weight then with
the camera
strapped.
Sharp Objects Scene five
(Storyboard)
The camera man,
people within
distance.
Clothing, possible
props.
The table has
rounded edges so
you can’t scrape
yourself.
Moderate. With the knifes
used, make sure
they are in their
safety positions and
not close to the
edges. If needed
out, make sure
they’re facing away
from the camera
man/actor.
Filming a road from
a alleyway
Scene Six
(Storyboard)
The camera man The camera Not common for a
car to drive down,
but can happen,
narrow so would
give warning of
oncoming vehicle.
Moderate. Make sure its from
an alleyway that
cars can’t drive
down, have a friend
to warn me about
anything
approaching me.
Tripping on wires Scene
Four/Five/Seven
/Eight/Eleven
(Storyboard)
The Actor and
Camera Man
The camera,
scenery, props,
clothing.
If cables are left
unattended, could
result in falling and
hurting yourself
and/or damaging
equipment.
High Check for wires that
are not in use and
move away from
the filming area, if
in use make sure all
actors know their
exact locations.
Knife All Scenes
(Storyboard)
The actors Possible clothing Could injure
someone and cause
filming to be
delayed. Blade is
dull so wouldn’t hurt
High Never do contact
with actor to avoid
injury, always use
safety handle.
3. Knife Scene Six (Film) The victim in the
scene
Injury to the actor During filming, we
had to make sure
that the actor
wasn’t injured by
the blade so we
used a dull blade
which wouldn’t
injure anyone.
Extreme Though the blade
couldn’t injure the
actor, we still took
precausions so i put
my hand over the
actors neck and still
missed so the knife
wouldn’t touch me.
The camera was
aimed at the
perfect angle so it
looked realistic.
4. Risk Assessment Chart
Hazard likelihood / Consequences RISK ASSESSMENT
VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN or SEVERE CONSEQUENCES (ie. Someone could get
EXTREME
seriously hurt)
Could happen or mild consequences (i.e. someone could suffer a minor
injury)
HIGH
Unlikely to happen or minor consequences (i.e. production could be slightly
delayed)
MODERATE
Rarely happens and very insignificant consequences LOW