Gun Inspections Not Strictly Followed on the Set of ‘Rust’, Half-Dozen Camera Crew Workers Walked off Set the Hours Before Fatal Shooting in Protest of Working Conditions

Hours before Alec Baldwin Fatally shot Halyna Hutchins, union camera crew workers walked off set in protest of working conditions. The workers were not happy with long commutes and having to wait for paychecks. Complaints about safety onset were also made prior to the fatal shooting.

According to Los Angeles Times, “Safety protocols standard in the industry, including gun inspections, were not strictly followed on the “Rust” set near Santa Fe, the sources said. They said at least one of the camera operators complained last weekend to a production manager about gun safety on the set.

Three crew members who were present at the Bonanza Creek Ranch set on Saturday said they were particularly concerned about two accidental prop gun discharges.

Baldwin’s stunt double accidentally fired two rounds Saturday after being told that the gun was “cold” — lingo for a weapon that doesn’t have any ammunition, including blanks — two crew members who witnessed the episode told the Los Angeles Times.

“There should have been an investigation into what happened,” a crew member said. “There were no safety meetings. There was no assurance that it wouldn’t happen again. All they wanted to do was rush, rush, rush.”

A colleague was so alarmed by the prop gun misfires that he sent a text message to the unit production manager. “We’ve now had 3 accidental discharges. This is super unsafe,” according to a copy of the message reviewed by The Times.”

When the crew members showed up on Friday to pack up and leave after they were quickly replaced with nonunion crew members. The shooting happened just about 6 hours after the union camera crew left.

One source of LA Times said, “Corners were being cut… and they brought in nonunion people so they could continue shooting.”

According to the New York Post, “The prop master who handled the gun that killed the cinematographer on Alec Baldwin’s film “Rust” was “just brought in” amid a protest over conditions on the set.”

From the reports that are out, it seems that the low-budget film was having safety issues, as well as shortcuts on the part of the financial side, leading to the union workers, walk offset.

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees tweeted yesterday:

“Our entire alliance mourns this unspeakable loss with Halyna’s family, friends, and the Rust crew. We are activating our partnerships across the industry to provide support and resources to our sisters, brothers, and kin. Creating a culture of safety requires relentless vigilance from every one of us, day in and day out. Please, if you see something, say something. If you feel unsafe on set for any reason, including harassment, send us a tip via the IATSE Safety Hotline at 844-422-9273.”

Creating a culture of safety requires relentless vigilance from every one of us, day in and day out.

Please, if you see something, say something. If you feel unsafe on set for any reason, including harassment, send us a tip via the IATSE Safety Hotline at 844-422-9273.

— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) October 22, 2021

The police are still investigating the fatal shooting no charges have been brought yet. We will see what changes come for this tragedy and if anyone is criminally charged.