New footage has been released of Alec Baldwin handling the revolver that killed cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and injured director, Joel Souza, on the movie set of “Rust” in October 2021.
You can see video footage of Baldwin practicing with the gun which he’s been explaining since the start of the investigation. Notice when he draws, his finger is on the trigger while he pulls the hammer back on the revolver, causing the gun to fire.
His argument has been to police that the gun fired on its own, and someone put a live round in the gun when it should’ve been “cold.” However, there are multiple issues with this explanation:
- No matter your status or qualifications, or if you have a staff member for firearm safety, it is still YOUR responsibility to understand the tool that’s in your hand. YOU are responsible once that firearm is in your hands.
- Regardless of whether the gun should’ve have been cold (empty) during rehearsal, you perform how you rehearse. My question would be: Shouldn’t you be practicing how you’re going to film anyway?
I like to compare it to how we film Reloaded. If there’s ever a time where the team wants to get a tight shot of me shooting, the team is NEVER where the cameras are. We’ll do a dry run with my hand motions only, so they know where the gun will be, then they set the cameras up, go 20-30 feet behind the firing line with a screen, and call action.
That is when I load my gun and shoot. Cameras are angled in front of me, but NEVER is someone downrange while I’m shooting.
Check out the intro of Reloaded from 0:43-0:50
During the shots where I am pointing the firearm directly at the camera, my team hiding behind me with a screen! You can film shots like this safely.
My professional opinion: Alec Baldwin, as well as anyone responsible for props during that movie, have the possibility of charges. I could also see Baldwin suing his prop managers because of how much he’s playing the victim card.
From what I’m read though, it seems like the Santa Fe Sheriff is serious about this investigation and doing what they can to make it fair, including already fining the Rust film over $100k.
Let this be a reminder that YOU are responsible for the firearm when it’s in your hands, and ignorance is inexcusable.
Don’t be a Baldwin.
What’re your thoughts on the new footage?
