Status: 04/21/2022 07:17
In October 2021, a cameraman died while filming a movie with actor Alec Baldwin. She was wounded by live ammunition shots. The authorities blame the producers and impose a fine.
About six months after the fatal camera shot while filming Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, US authorities imposed a hefty fine on Western producers. Baldwin himself also wanted to co-produce the film in which he would play a leading role.
The agency responsible for occupational safety and health in the US state of New Mexico, where the western “Rust” was filmed, ordered a fine equivalent to around 126,000 euros against the production team. This is the maximum penalty that the authority can impose.
breaches of security regulations
According to the months-long investigation by occupational health and safety authorities, the producers violated applicable safety regulations. The team flouted safety protocols for the use of weapons. There should never have been live ammunition on the film set, some of the weapons were left unattended there. Actors pointed firearms at cameras or other people without consulting a weapons expert.
Disaster “could have been avoided”
The authority concludes that the “tragic incident” could have been avoided and accuses those responsible of “indifference” towards the film crew. The production company “completely failed to follow recognized national rules that protect employees,” criticized New Mexico’s Environmental Cabinet Secretary James Kenney.
Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for production company Rust Movie Productions LLC, contradicted the findings of the investigative report. The company intends to appeal. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Halyna’s family,” added Friedman.
Police investigations are ongoing
Baldwin fired a gun loaded with live ammunition while filming at a movie ranch in Santa Fe last October. It is still unclear how the actual cartridges got into the weapon. Cameraman Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally wounded in the shooting. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the shoulder.
Police are still investigating how the accident happened. Baldwin himself denied any responsibility. He didn’t know there was live ammunition in the weapon intended as a prop. To date, none of the film’s collaborators have been formally charged or even charged. However, the Public Ministry does not rule out the future stages of criminal prosecution. Hutchin’s family sued Baldwin and other film contributors for damages.
After camerawoman’s death: Maximum penalty for “Rust” producer A1
Nicole Markwald, ARD Austin, April 21, 2022 7:41 am