Hey everyone, Adrian here. This blog is focused on something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, the violence meter in the film and how far we should realistically push it.
Originally, the idea of removing the orange tips from the airsoft and gel blasters was on the table. From a visual standpoint, it would increase realism and help sell the tone of the film. However, once I really stepped back and thought about it, there are serious concerns that come with that decision.
This film is being produced for school purposes. It will be shown to Cambridge examiners, teachers, and potentially in classroom environments. Showing teenagers holding highly realistic guns without orange tips crosses into dangerous territory. Even with disclaimers, the risk is still there, especially when it comes to school and district policies.
Another aspect that ties into this is on screen violence. The film was always intended to include blood. Blood itself isn’t much of an issue and is common in film, but the original idea for the final scene involved a blood gushing slit to the throat when Matheus is killed by Adrian. While this would absolutely drive home the brutality and consequences of the moment, it also raises questions about how graphic is too graphic for an academic project.
I linked a video below titled “Is Removing the Orange Tip Illegal?” by Airsoftology, which explains that while federal law mainly applies to the sale and transport of airsoft guns, state and city laws vary heavily. Some locations allow removal, others require orange tips or additional markings. The video makes it clear that legality depends entirely on location and context.
For this project, legality is only part of the issue. Perception matters just as much. Even if something is technically legal, that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate in a school setting. I don’t want the violence to overpower the story or put the project in a bad position with examiners.
Right now, these ideas are still under consideration. I plan to speak directly with my teacher before making any final decisions. Once that conversation happens, I’ll lock in choices that balance realism, storytelling, and responsibility.
At the end of the day, the goal is to tell a strong story, not to push shock value for the sake of it. More updates soon once everything is finalized.
