Stuntman Shot Dead On Film Set Of Bliss N Eso Music Video

Australia’s film and television union will be revising industry safety procedures after a stuntman was shot dead during the filming of a music video for hip hop group Bliss n Eso.

Johann Ofner, stuntman and actor, was shot in what police have called a “workplace incident” in an underground bar on Monday. It’s still unknown what type of gun was used and whether blank bullets were fired, though the ABC can confirm paramedics said Ofner had two penetrating chest wounds and appeared to be shot at close range. Film weaponry specialists say that most firearms are dangerous and need expert guidance.

In an official statement obtained from Mushroom Promotions, a message from Bliss n Eso management read: “We are able to confirm the death of a person occurred today at the filming of a Bliss n Eso music clip. The band were not on site at the time. The video production crew and our team are currently working with the police in their investigation and we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”

The national director of equity with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Zoe Angus said she would be monitoring the police’s criminal investigation into the death. Angus says there have been no instances of fatalities in the recent past, and that a number of steps must be taken if guns are being used on film sets.

“There needs to be permits, need a licenced armorer and a qualified armorer to supply the weapons, if weapons are going to be discharged the police have to be notified in advance and a safety officer on set who will do a safety breakdown, if there’s any live action around the use of firearms, then a stunt coordinator needs to be engaged,” she explained.

Angus isn’t sure whether those protocols were followed, but police investigations are ongoing.

Police say man shot on film set in Brisbane was an actor in a music video - it's believed the band was Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso pic.twitter.com/uKXbdoPW30

— ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) 23 January 2017

Update: A new comment has been added to Bliss n Eso's Facebook page.

Photo: Facebook (@Johann Ofner)