Topic: Director of Photography Halyna Hutchins killed by prop gun on movie set

[WorldChampions]

BBC News - Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman with prop gun on movie set

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59005500

A woman has died and a man has been injured after actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on a New Mexico film set.

Police in the US state said Mr Baldwin discharged the weapon during filming for the 19th Century western Rust.

The woman was taken to hospital but died of her injuries. The man, the film's director, was receiving emergency care.

A spokesperson for Mr Baldwin told AP news agency the incident involved the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks.

The woman has been named as Halyna Hutchins, 42, who was working as director of photography. The man being treated is Joel Souza, 48, the film's director.

Police are still investigating the incident at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular filming location, and no charges have been filed.

In a statement to AFP news agency, a Santa Fe sheriff spokesman said Mr Baldwin had spoken with detectives.

"He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews," the spokesperson said.

According to her personal website, Ms Hutchins was from Ukraine and grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle. She studied journalism in Kyiv, and film in Los Angeles, and was named a "rising star" by the American Cinematographer magazine in 2019.

She was the director of photography for the 2020 action film Archenemy, directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer.

"I'm so sad about losing Halyna. And so infuriated that this could happen on a set," Mr Mortimer said in a tweet.

[AndyMuller]

Terrible tragedy. RIP and hopefully the other person pulls through.

[paulrazor]

Awful, just awful

[BarryCrocker]

Very tragic for all parties. Sounds similar to what happened to Brandon Lee on the set of The Crow back in 1993.

[palimpsest]

Shocking. Hoping the director pulls through.

[[new username under construction]]

Happened before and it will again, terrible accident but surely could have been avoided

[KillieRed]

That`s awful. I actually saw a photo of Baldwin on set yesterday (via his Instagram) starting work that day.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

Absolute tragedy for all involved. I well remember Brandon Lee dying from a similar incident. Are we saying in all that time nothing has been done?

[Sheer Magnetism]

People are comparing this to the Brandon Lee incident but what I don't understand is: how could the cinematographer and director get shot? Did the gun go off accidentally? Was it a prank that went wrong?

[BarryCrocker]

People are comparing this to the Brandon Lee incident but what I don't understand is: how could the cinematographer and director get shot? Did the gun go off accidentally? Was it a prank that went wrong?

Could have been aiming at a camera or a space that they were standing in for effect.

[red_lfc_costello]

Absolute tragedy for all involved. I well remember Brandon Lee dying from a similar incident. Are we saying in all that time nothing has been done?

I know nothing about either incident, but if the Brandon Lee one was 28 years ago and there hasn't been any others then surely something has been done and this is just a tragic accident?

[Ray K]

People are comparing this to the Brandon Lee incident but what I don't understand is: how could the cinematographer and director get shot? Did the gun go off accidentally? Was it a prank that went wrong?

Point of view shot, I suppose.

I don't know why they're still using early 20th century technology like real guns with blanks when they could use rubber guns and CGI/Foley in the fire/bang afterwards.

[AndyMuller]

Alec Baldwin must be up the wall after this. Feel sorry for him.

[Jshooters]

I don't really understand what can have happened here - isn't a blank a bullet with the pointy bit removed (technical term) so it's just the casing which isn't fired but just ejected?

[stoa]

I don't know why they're still using early 20th century technology like real guns with blanks when they could use rubber guns and CGI/Foley in the fire/bang afterwards.

Cost might be an issue, but also something like actors/directors/producers wanting to use a real gun instead of a fake one to make it feel/look real or whatever.

[rafathegaffa83]

Could have been aiming at a camera or a space that they were standing in for effect.

I'd imagine it's this, but I always assumed they had a glass screen in front of them. RIP Halyna Hutchins. Also the cesspool of alt-right/pro-gun arseholes on social media taking glee over Alec Baldwin being involved need to be banned once and for all

[BarryCrocker]

I'd imagine it's this, but I always assumed they had a glass screen in front of them. RIP Halyna Hutchins. Also the cesspool of alt-right/pro-gun arseholes on social media taking glee over Alec Baldwin being involved need to be banned once and for all

Surprised Trump or one of his shit head sons haven't had a pop at this yet.

[Chakan]

Why are they still using live rounds on the set of a movie? Baffling...

[Alan_X]

Why are they still using live rounds on the set of a movie? Baffling...

They weren't. We don't know exactly what happened but they don't use live rounds.

[Jshooters]

I don't really understand what can have happened here - isn't a blank a bullet with the pointy bit removed (technical term) so it's just the casing which isn't fired but just ejected?

Just read an eplainer on the independent

A cartridge is essentially one unit of ammunition that is fed into the barrel of a gun and is made up of four basic components — the casing or shell that holds the other components together, propellant material or gunpowder placed inside the shell, a primer or an explosive compound that ignites the gun powder, and finally the bullet or projectile that is fired from the barrel.
When the gun’s firing pin hits the primer and ignites the gunpowder, it causes an explosion of extremely hot gasses that sends the bullet flying out of the barrel. The shell is then ejected and falls to the floor.

A blank cartridge contains all the components except for the projectile. Instead, the tip is sealed with things like paper wadding or wax.

However, prop guns loaded with blank cartridges can still cause significant damage to any one within shooting range. This is because firing a blank still causes the explosion of gases, recoil, muzzle flash, and an ejected casing.

Additionally, the paper or wax stuffing can also potentially be fatally dangerous — like in the case of actor Jon-Erik Hexum.

While filming a CBS show in 1984, Hexum loaded a prop gun with a blank round and spun the cylinder actor, as though he was playing a game of Russian roulette, and put it to his head. When he pulled the trigger, the blank’s wad at the tip of the cartridge hit his head and, while it didn’t penetrate through, the impact fractured his skull.

He died six days later.

[Chakan]

They weren't. We don't know exactly what happened but they don't use live rounds.

I thought I’d read another article that said it was a live round. My mistake

[kopite77]

Tragic accident, I found this article on the BBC News website very interesting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59006905

[wampa1]

I thought I’d read another article that said it was a live round. My mistake

You did:

"a principal castmember cocked a gun during a rehearsal, unaware that there were live rounds in it, hitting two people, a man and a woman.

Read More: https://www.slashfilm.com/591471/actors-who-died-in-2021/?utm_campaign=clip

[disgraced cake]

Absolutely crazy story. RIP and hope the director is alright.

Imagine how you'd feel if you were Baldwin. Doesn't bare thinking about really, and he's not the biggest victim of course but terrible to see.

[Chakan]

You did:

Thanks! Thought I was going insane.

[Red-Soldier]

Thanks! Thought I was going insane.

Of course, it was also live round that Killed Brandon Lee, when filming The Crow.

[duvva 💅]

Just read an eplainer on the independent

I remember that show, called Cover Up loved it as a kid. Think it had Bonnie Tyler’s I need A Hero as the title music. They replaced Hexum with another actor, from memory he was only in about 3 episodes before it happened.

Of course, it was also live round that Killed Brandon Lee, when filming The Crow.

Thought the Brandon Lee one was a malfunction, in that a previously used round had not come out and was stuck in the chamber unbeknownst.

Surely shouldn’t happen if the equipment is being used, and monitored properly. Very sad for all involved.

[Lastrador]

Absolutely crazy story. RIP and hope the director is alright.

Imagine how you'd feel if you were Baldwin. Doesn't bare thinking about really, and he's not the biggest victim of course but terrible to see.

He clearly is not the biggest victim, but the title of the article just shows how little ethic and empathy there's left on mainstream media. A person accidentally kills another one, most certainly by no fault of his own and just doing his job, and the first thing you read is "Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman". It really is just sickening how little regard they have for individuals. As long as the title gets a strong reaction, they don't care.

[Red-Soldier]

I remember that show, called Cover Up loved it as a kid. Think it had Bonnie Tyler’s I need A Hero as the title music. They replaced Hexum with another actor, from memory he was only in about 3 episodes before it happened.
Thought the Brandon Lee one was a malfunction, in that a previously used round had not come out and was stuck in the chamber unbeknownst.

Surely shouldn’t happen if the equipment is being used, and monitored properly. Very sad for all involved.

n 1993, Brandon Lee - the 28-year-old son of the late martial-arts star Bruce Lee - died on set after being accidentally shot with a prop gun while filming a death scene for the film The Crow.

It was later determined that the gun used had earlier fired a round that caused a cartridge to become lodged in the barrel. When blank rounds were later fired, the cartridge was dislodged and released.

Responding to Thursday's news, Brandon Lee's sister Shannon tweeted: "Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on 'Rust'. No-one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period."

[rafathegaffa83]

He clearly is not the biggest victim, but the title of the article just shows how little ethic and empathy there's left on mainstream media. A person accidentally kills another one, most certainly by no fault of his own and just doing his job, and the first thing you read is "Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman". It really is just sickening how little regard they have for individuals. As long as the title gets a strong reaction, they don't care.

Absolutely

[Crosby Nick]

I remember that show, called Cover Up loved it as a kid. Think it had Bonnie Tyler’s I need A Hero as the title music. They replaced Hexum with another actor, from memory he was only in about 3 episodes before it happened.
Thought the Brandon Lee one was a malfunction, in that a previously used round had not come out and was stuck in the chamber unbeknownst.

Surely shouldn’t happen if the equipment is being used, and monitored properly. Very sad for all involved.

Christ I have had a very early flashback to watching that show with my brother and a babysitter and she telling us about the actor accidentally killing himself. Can just about remember the theme tune/opening credits.

This sounds like a tragic accident. Awful.

[Andy82lfc]

He clearly is not the biggest victim, but the title of the article just shows how little ethic and empathy there's left on mainstream media. A person accidentally kills another one, most certainly by no fault of his own and just doing his job, and the first thing you read is "Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman". It really is just sickening how little regard they have for individuals. As long as the title gets a strong reaction, they don't care.

You're right, and it's not even about the incident either it's because of his fame, if this happened to three people in the woods someplace you'd never hear about it. Same reason anyone remotely famous now is reported when they die, mainstream media is more and more turning into NOW magazine. Waiting on the first story on the bbc about a celebrities pet dying (if it's not already happened that is).

[JerseyKloppite]

He clearly is not the biggest victim, but the title of the article just shows how little ethic and empathy there's left on mainstream media. A person accidentally kills another one, most certainly by no fault of his own and just doing his job, and the first thing you read is "Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman". It really is just sickening how little regard they have for individuals. As long as the title gets a strong reaction, they don't care.

Think this is a fair point so the OP has been changed.

[tubby]

Crazy that this sort of thing can still happen in 2021 with all the advances in technology and safety.  Awful stuff all round.

[Mumm-Ra]

Surprised Trump or one of his shit head sons haven't had a pop at this yet.

Baldwin is a big anti-NRA guy as well. The toxic right-wing facebook world will be loving this. Terrible tragedy

[Macphisto80]

How the fuck can live rounds end up in a prop gun?

[Dr. Beaker]

 

[JerseyKloppite]

How the fuck can live rounds end up in a prop gun?

I don't think they did? Not in this case anyway. The statement this morning said "the incident involved the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks."

[cheesemason]

I don't think they did? Not in this case anyway. The statement this morning said "the incident involved the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks."

Some union email to their members said there was a live bullet in the gun

[JerseyKloppite]

Some union email to their members said there was a live bullet in the gun

Just read that. Bizarre, shouldn't have been a live round anywhere near it.