Holiday Films Pose Unique Risk Challenges with Major Stunts and Action Sequences

The holiday movie season includes films about vampires and werewolves ("Twilight: New Moon"), war lords during the Chinese Dynasty ("Red Cliff"), the King of Pop ("This Is It"), Scrooge ("A Christmas Carol"), a famous fictional detective ("Sherlock Holmes") and the end of the Mayan calendar ("2012")."This year's holiday films involved a lot of water explosions, underwater filming, and intense action sequences that create considerable risk challenges for filmmakers. We work closely to ensure those scenes are taped as safe as possible while still achieving the director's artistic vision," said Lori Fouche, President of Commercial Insurance at Fireman's Fund.While moviegoers may enjoy watching these films, most aren't aware of the risk challenges involved when shooting complex scenes that include air and watercraft stunts, explosions, underwater filming, simulated earthquakes, fights, and horseback riding by cast members. These types of scenes contribute appreciably to a film's overall risk.During the filming process movie studios must protect themselves from a variety of insurance risks and liabilities to their cast members, crew and the production process. That's where Fireman's Fund Insurance Company comes into the picture. As the leading insurer of major Hollywood films, it helps production companies manage unexpected risks.With more than 80 years of experience insuring everything from independent films to major blockbusters, Fireman's Fund entertainment division is dedicated to helping producers and studios attain the artistic results they are seeking, while also ensuring that the movie is filmed safely, on-time and within budget. This is done by analyzing risks and finding solutions to cover specific exposures.