"Rust" assistant director was fired from previous movie after gun incident injured crew member

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

The assistant director on the movie “Rust,” who handed a prop gun to Alec Baldwin before the fatal shooting last week, was previously fired from a film production after a gun incident injured a crew member, the movie’s production company told CNN.

Dave Halls was serving as assistant director on the film “Freedom’s Path” in 2019, when a gun “unexpectedly discharged” on set, causing a sound crew member to recoil from the blast, halting production, the production company Rocket Soul Studios said Monday.

The sound crew member was evaluated by an on-set medic and advised to seek medical treatment. The crew member returned to the production a few days later, Rocket Soul said.

[snip]

“Upon wrapping production for the day, Dave Halls was officially terminated and given the specific reasons for his termination,” The company continued. “Dave was very remorseful for the events, and understood the reasons he was being terminated. A new assistant director as well as a new armorer were hired for the duration of principal photography. Production of the film finished successfully.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/rust-shooting-alec-baldwin-10-25-21/h_8d709a2b77fdd9d815e5a5fd49b49ed6

[MontanaMama]

1. Holy buckets.

Mr. Halls should probably be lawyering up.

[Blue Owl]

2. This fucker is a loose cannon

[dweller]

3. ruh roh

This sounds bad… for the AD

✌🏻

[Mike Nelson]

4. Yikes!

... I would be soooooo careful... overly careful. You're in the business and you know people around the set. You have friends there... and you care about your career.

[rickyhall]

5. Stop using live rounds. Stop being cheap. Effects cost more in the short run but....

[PSPS]

34. Stop making movies that have guns in their scenes. No "prop guns" and no "armorer" needed.

Does every movie have to have pornography for the gun fetishists to make money now?

[FBaggins]

38. What's the best western that you've ever seen...

… that didn’t have guns?

[Jedi Guy]

47. Yes, the John Wick films would have been way better with no guns, you're right.

Oh, and the Matrix movies would have been way better without guns, too. Same with Equilibrium, the Die Hard movies, Saving Private Ryan, Pulp Fiction, Boondock Saints, Snatch, Aliens, Dog Soldiers, Last of the Mohicans... all would have been vastly improved by having no guns in them.

Less flippantly, just about any action movie set within the next/last couple hundred years is going to have guns in it. It has nothing to do with "pornography for gun fetishists." If you want to see an example of that, check out Demolition Ranch on Youtube sometime. That is pornography for gun fetishists. I don't own a gun and don't care to, but those videos are interesting/amusing all the same.

Movies are about telling stories, and sometimes stories involve violence using guns. Not every film is going to be a rom-com or one where people sit around talking for two hours. If you dislike movies that involve guns, don't watch them. If enough people do so, Hollywood will take the hint.

[Paladin]

48. Well said. (nt)

[rickyhall]

55. I watched The Vikings, Last Kingdom, Merlin, etc. No guns.

Just spears, swords, hammers, clubs, rocks, poison, daggers, bows & arrows. But no guns.

[jmowreader]

49. Or...don't let the crew go target shooting with the prop guns

In an ideal situation, you have an on-set armorer that locks up the guns so they only get used in the movie.

In THIS movie, which appears to have a budget low enough the cast is wearing their own clothes and doing their own hair and makeup, TMZ is reporting the crew is taking the guns to shooting ranges and doing target practice with them…with live ammunition.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Some kind of Russian roulette on a sound stage, but no one knows the game is being played

[Jetheels]

7. Can anyone tell me who put the bullet in the gun?

It’s incredible we do not even know that answer by now.
Why were there even bullets on the actual set?
I know there was target practice going on outback, but why?
Is right outside of set a good idea to learn how to shoot?
Seems like a bad mix. Who set that situation up.
Certainly they must have plastic toy guns that look real, c’mon.
I find targeting one person as the sole person responsible lacking.
There was a chain of bad decisions all the way down the line, from what I have read.
As an aside, nothing to do with the case but, I never liked Baldwin’s impression on SNL, and plus he gave an entire Instagram hour promoting the Kennedy nut job anti vaccer.

[groundloop]

8. I'd bet that the authorities already know, but they've got no reason to tell the press

In fact letting that information out might weaken their case. It's just not something that the general public NEEDS to know, although there are plenty of busy bodies who seem to think that they need to.

AND I don't see this discussion regarding a movie set shooting death as a proper place to critique an actors' performances.

[exboyfil]

11. Well the armorer apparently took the cartridge out of the revolver

Thus bringing the question - when were the prints if they are her prints put on the cartridge.

[LisaL]

13. Yep, she apparently handled the gun after the shooting.

NT

[ShazzieB]

33. She did WHAT?

If someone dies under circumstances that are obviously going to necssitate a police investigation, the very first rule is DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Is there really anyone who doesn't know that? Sheesh.

What a dumb stunt.

[exboyfil]

52. Or a very clever one

If she knows she screwed up. I would much prefer going down with tampering with evidence (which would be hard to prove) over manslaughter. As far as civil liability she is basically judgement proof since she doesn't have much.

[Walleye]

9. I don't think I could actually point a gun at somebody and shoot it without first thoroughly checkin

The chamber. It’s just my upbringing. We never had a lot of guns around but my grandfather taught us an awful lot about gun safety. He would yell at us when we pointed toy guns at each other.

[Kaleva]

16. I wouldn't point it at someone even after verifying the gun was empty.

[Harker]

39. Yes. There have been innumerable instances of, "it's empty. I checked...

see?.. BLAM!"

[70sEraVet]

10. My sincerest condolences to the Hutchins family, and of course, sympathies to Mr. Baldwin.

But g-d forbid that we get this much media attention when a three year-old pulls a loaded gun out of mommy's purse, and blows his brains out.
The 'Rust' accident is a Hollywood problem. Gun deaths are a national problem. Lets not confuse the two.

[exboyfil]

12. Why Baldwin checking the gun might not have made a difference

Being a revolver it could have been loaded with dummy rounds for the visual effect since you can see the rounds in the cylinder. If these rounds are also used to show actors loading the gun, then they are visually indistinguishable from actual ammo except for the presence of BBs in them (they are shaken to ensure they are dummy rounds when loaded). If this is the case, then Baldwin would have had to actually remove each round and shake it or drop the hammer on all six rounds while pointing the gun to a safe location. No way should he have expected it to be live rounds unless he was aware of the reported target practicing that was going on with the guns which is a huge no-no and also is incriminating for him as a producer as well.

[Crepuscular]

14. Regardless

Regardless of whether Baldwin thought that the gun was "cold", he still should never have pointed the gun at 3 people, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. Each of those acts violate standard gun safety rules on a movie set and can be viewed as being negligent. It took all three of those acts to result in someone's death, never, ever should have happened.

[The Mouth]

18. Every gun is always loaded

Always.

[Crepuscular]

20. I think

I think we are in violent agreement on that point.

[Roy Rolling]

25. Here's the Facts

Baldwin was handed the gun, but he is not responsible for the functioning of the equipment. He certainly could have intervened, but an actor handed a weapon is seldom qualified to check, so they decline to inspect.

That’s real life.

The armorer loads the gun, hands it to the 1st AD as the safety representative of the producer on-set, and the 1st AD is supposed to ensure it is safe for the actor.

How do I know? I participated in dozens of those safety meetings as a set medic, before the use of firearms on movie and TV sets. Including movies with directors famous for their explosions and machine guns.

Here’s the Firearm Safety Bulletin for films:

https://www.csatf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/01FIREARMS.pdf

[JI7]

36. WHo would you say is at fault based on your experience ?

[FBaggins]

40. He IS responsible for the functioning of the equipment

Both because it’s a firearm that he’s about to point in the direction of another human being - and because he was the producer.

[Crepuscular]

43. ...

The safety bulletin that you attached clearly states that individuals should avoid pointing firearms at other people and not put their finger on the trigger until they are ready to shoot. It should also have mentioned not cocking a single action firearm until they are ready to shoot.

Baldwin did all three of those things, all of which violate safety protocols and resulted in someones death. Even if the Armorer and the AD had screwed up and allowed a weapon loaded with a functional round to be on set, given to the talent, absent Baldwins actions, nobody would have been killed.

[LudwigPastorius]

32. "he still should never have pointed the gun at 3 people"

This being a low budget production, the director of cinematography was probably operating the camera. And, the scene in question probably called for Baldwin's character to draw and point the pistol directly at the camera.

That's a fairly common framing in movies, and it's why you have an experienced armorer (not the case here) and a competent AD (not the case here) both check the weapon before handing it to the actor.

[Crepuscular]

45. ...

According to the police report, there was a camera operator that was not injured at the camera, the DP who was killed was squatting next to the camera looking at the screen and the other individual was standing just behind her, looking over her shoulder at the screen.

If the scene called for Baldwin to draw the pistol and point it at the camera, then when the scene was shot, the set should have been cleared and the camera operated by remote. If they are just looking at the angle of his hand, prior to shooting the scene, he does not need the gun in his hand, just make a pistol shape with your finger and point it at the camera. Baldwin never should have pointed the pistol at three other people, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. That violates safety protocols and is negligent.

[More_Cowbell]

35. Where did you see that he pointed it at 3 people?

I don't doubt you, but all I've seen is that he pointed at the camera (hitting the cinematographer). I'd been assuming that the bullet hit her where she was behind the camera.

Thanks.

[Crepuscular]

44. ...

He pointed it at the camera. The DP who was killed, a camera operator and the other individual who was wounded were huddled around the camera when Baldwin pointed the gun, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger in their direction. Huge mistake!

[Kaleva]

17. He was told the gun was cold, empty, but did he verify that?

[Crepuscular]

19. Even if he didn't verify it

Even if he thought it was empty, he never should have pointed it, cocked it and pulled the trigger, while it was aimed at three other people.

[Kaleva]

21. Yes

[regnaD kciN]

24. It's not clear that he pulled the trigger...

They were rehearsing a shot where he draws the gun but doesn’t fire. There were already two reports of the B-unit experiencing “accidental discharges” from one of the guns in previous days. If this was the same gun, it’s possible that it was defective/damaged in a way that rapid motion could cause it to fire without the trigger being touched. In which case, questions need to be asked of the armorer as to why that gun wasn’t immediately removed from the premises of the production after the first accidental discharge.

[Roy Rolling]

26. It's required by safety bulletins

For a defective weapon to be inspected and repaired by a qualified technician.

[SheltieLover]

15. Who hired this guy?

[harumph]

22. It's just stupid to assert that Baldwin should

have checked the gun AFTER being told it was COLD.
Do you check your lug nuts after a mechanic puts
a new set of tires on your car? Do you have a taste tester
check your food when a waiter serves it? If your dentist tells you
you're good to go - do you ask for another set of x-rays? I mean goddamn!
The AD is responsible for checking the guns - not the actor.

[The Mouth]

27. Every gun is always loaded

Always.

anyone who doesn't know, believe, and practice that 100 percent of the time is a homicidal fool.


You never point any gun, from a cap pistol on, at anything you don't want to put a hole in.

Never. under any circumstances.

not even with your finger off the trigger and having just checked that it's unloaded.

[Karma13612]

30. In the movie biz

From what I have read, NO ONE but the armorer does anything with the guns. I’ve read that you are fired on the spot if you try to check the chamber, etc.

[The King of Prussia]

37. The movie biz

Can create totally realistic, but fake, dinosaurs. Totally real, but fake, space ships. Tsunamis. Aliens. Volcanoes. Earthquakes. And so on. But they have to use real guns.

[The Mouth]

53. I'd like to see proof of that.

Anyone who doesn't check the chamber of any firearm the instant it's handed to them is utterly irresponsible, period. This is not the first time people have been killed with blanks. I'm sure there have been plenty of idiot directors too stupid or cheap to hire on-set armorers throughout movie making history, but it is no more responsible than insisting a character sho's supposed to be a drunk driver actually drive drunk

[VarryOn]

28. My heart breaks for Baldwin...

In the pics and in his actions since, he's obviously hurting. He hated Trump, so he does no wrong in my book.

[Kaleva]

31. Would you breathe underwater if someone told you it was safe to do so?

You wouldn't. Nor would you take the word of someone who hands you a gun that it is empty. And even after one verifies the gun is empty, they still handle it like it's loaded and not point it at anyone.

I find it surprising that a number of people here just don't get how dangerous a gun is. Following hte 4 basic safety rules would save many lives each year.

1. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.


2. Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.


3. Always be sure of your target and beyond.


4. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

One doesn't have to be a gun expert to be able to understand and follow the 4 rules. With some training, a person can competently safety check a gun.

[Devil Child]

51. Utmost respect for your consistent and clear messaging on firearms safety

If the 4 rules were respected by all there wouldn't have been a negligent discharge resulting in injury and death.

Simple as.

[obamanut2012]

41. These are all perfect analogies

I know folks who work in the industry in different capacities, including one who was an AD for years until 2019. She said actors can check if they want, but they don't, because their job is acting, not ensuring props work correctly or safety, and that blaming Baldwin for being one of the producers is disingenuous.

Do we do a test on what is in the syringe when we get a flu vaccine? No, we trust the people educated, trained, and certified to do their job.

People just either dislike Baldwin and/or guns, both sides, and are just punching down.

[keithbvadu2]

23. The lawsuit just ratcheted up.

The lawsuit just ratcheted up.

[Karma13612]

29. Just curious why it took

? 4 days ? Before this info surfaced. Many media outlets and onlookers have gone after Baldwin as if he murdered Hutchins in cold blood.

[obamanut2012]

42. Look at DU

People were and are still out for blood, in this very thread, acting like he should have used the same gun protocols you use at a range.

People here should know better than to take the first info as facts, same as with the fake SEPTA rape narrative.

[Devil Child]

50. Gun safety is gun safety

There aren't differing standards of gun safety when on a movie set, range, or what have you. When those standards are compromised there is potential for negligent death and injury. As evidenced by this whole ordeal.

[Karma13612]

54. Very true. On all your points.

In fact, I notice you have had a response to your response to me!!

I am to the point now where I have just stopped bothering to respond. It’s wearing me out and we can’t stem the tide by ourselves.

Take care….


(Love your username!)

[RicROC]

46. color code blanks?

Is there any way all blanks used in film projects could be painted red or have a special marking on them?

To have a shooting range next to a movie set seems way too dangerous to me.