The accidental killing of Halyna Hutchins on a Sante Fe movie set Thursday is sparking inquiries about working conditions for Hollywood crew members.
The circumstances of the shooting are under investigation. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office confirmed that actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of “Rust,” a Western being filmed at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, killing Hutchins, the film’s director of photography, and injuring its director, Joel Souza.
While it’s unclear at this point exactly how the accident transpired, many in the industry have begun to ask questions about working conditions on set. These queries come as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees works to finalize a three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that addresses the union’s calls for fairer working hours, safer workplace conditions and improved benefits.
The IATSE issued a statement Friday addressing Hutchins’ death and encouraging its members to contact the union’s safety hotline if they feel unsafe on set.
“Our entire alliance mourns this unspeakable loss with Halyna’s family, friends, and the ‘Rust’ crew,” the statement read. “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.”
