Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins, the film’s director of photography, and wounded director Joel Souza, who was released from the hospital, on the set of Rust, a Western picture he was filming in New Mexico on Thursday.
“We’re trying to determine right now how and what type of projectile was used in the firearm,” Juan Rios, a spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, told the New York Times. According to an email obtained by IndieWire from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 44, which covers prop masters, the gun used in the scene contained a “live single round” and that the prop master on set at the time “was not a member of Local 44.”
Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Pawluc of IATSE Local 44 described the incident as “an unintentional firearms discharge,” in which “a live single round was mistakenly discharged on set by the primary actor, injuring both the Director of Photography, Local 600 member Halnya Hutchins, and Director Joel Souza… The Props, Set Decoration, Special Effects, and Construction Departments were all staffed by New Mexico crew workers, according to Local 44. On the call sheet, there were no members of Local 44.”
Hutchins was recognized a “emerging star” by American Cinematographer in 2019. “One thing I’ve learned is that cinematography isn’t something you can accomplish on your own,” she told the publication. “It’s a collaborative [project].” You must build your own vision, but collaboration with your director and team is critical to a good picture.”
