Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killed on Baldwin movie, had reportedly advocated for safer on-set conditions
The cinematographer killed in the tragic incident on set of 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin's film Rust had reportedly "been advocating for safer conditions for her team" ahead of Thursday's fatal shooting, writes the Los Angeles Times, according to a crew member who was on the set.
Halyna Hutchins, remembered by industry colleagues as a "brilliant talent," died after being struck with a projectile from a prop gun that Baldwin unintentionally discharged, officials said, though a full investigation of events is underway. The film's director, Joel Souza, was also injured, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Labor trouble on the set of Rust had "been brewing for days," writes the Los Angeles Times. Just hours before the fatal shooting, a "half-dozen camera crew workers walked off the set to protest working conditions," which included complaints of long hours and issues with pay, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As the union camera crew gathered their gear, "several nonunion members showed up to replace them," writes the Los Angeles Times. "Corners were being cut — and they brought in nonunion people so they could continue shooting," said one person with knowledge of the matter.
The person also told the Times "there was a serious lack of safety meetings on this set," noting there were two other misfires of the prop gun on Saturday and one the previous week. The accident that killed Hutchins occured approximately six hours after the union camera crew departed.
Rust Movie Productions LLC said in a statement that safety of cast and crew is the production's "top priority."
"Though we were not made aware of any official complaints concerning weapon or prop safety on set, we will be conducting an internal review of our procedures while production is shut down."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published