Kyle McCoy

Features Editor

kzm266@psu.edu

Tragedy struck the film world on Thursday, October 21st, 2021 when a prop gun misfired on the set of the movie “Rust” killing Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The Prop gun was fired by actor Alec Baldwin who stars in and serves as executive producer for the film. The incident occured when Baldwin was practicing how he would draw the weapon for an upcoming scene.The weapon unexpectedly fired as Baldwin was drawing it out of its holster, the released projectile struck Hutchins in the chest and Souza in the leg. Baldwin had been informed minutes earlier that the gun was “cold” meaning it was not loaded. Baldwin was questioned by police but later released without any charges being filed.Production on the movie was suspended indefinitely following the incident.It is currently unknown when or if the production will resume.

This shooting has reignited the debate surrounding the use of real guns as props on movie sets. Many critics have drawn parallels between this incident and the death of Brandon Lee. Brandon Lee died on the set of the 1993 movie “The Crow” when a prop gun inexpecily discharged during a shooting scene. The projectile fired by the gun struck him in the chest killing him instantly. Investigators later found that a real bullet had become lodged in the barrel of the gun causing it to misfire. When asked about the “Rust” shooting, Lee’s sister Shannon Lee stated “with all the special effects that are possible and all of the technology, there is no reason to have a prop gun or a gun on a set that can fire a projectile of any sort”

The Production of rust had been troubled long before this incident. The production had been mired by issues since at least the beginning of October. Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE had threatened to strike a mere week before the film was set to begin filming. This strike threatened to derail the production of the movie and motivated seven members of the production to stage a walk out on October 21st. The members stated their reasoning for walking out was because they were “appalled by the lack of safety measures on the film’s set.” In addition to the walkout, it was revealed on October 24th that Assistant director Dave Halls had previously faced numerous complaints about his behavior. Halls allegedly ignored safety companints on his other productions including two episodes of the Hulu Show “Into the Dark.”

In response to the incident, Alec Balwdin had this to say. “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.” Many celebrities have come out in support of Baldwin including Dwayne Johnson, Cate Blanchett, Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood. In addition the International Cinematographers Guild set up a gofundme fundraiser in support of Halyna Hutchins family and  the American Film Institute also named a scholarship after her. As of October 25th, 2021 no charges have been filed in regards to the shooting and the investigation is still considered ongoing.