Halyna Hutchins Shot With Prop Gun - Alec Baldwin indicted & Hannah Gutierrez-Reed charged, 2021 #6

[steeltowngirl]

HGR appears to be in good shape at the hearing. Better than AB has been looking. Still, learning that she is keeping a gun due to threats has me concerned for her well-being, mentally and emotionally, as well as for her safety.

‘Rust’ Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed Makes First Court Appearance in Manslaughter Case

Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer who loaded Alec Baldwin’s gun on the set of “Rust,” made her first court appearance Friday in her involuntary manslaughter case. Gutierrez Reed …

variety.com

 

[PrairieWind]

I'll agree that the DA is a bit...off base.

Early on in this case, there was speculation (and joking) that the DA would be too "Alec-friendly" as she moved in some of the same social circles. IMO.

So she chose her opposite as a Special Prosecutor. And that didn't work out as perhaps she planned.

The following article is typical of the spin put on the politics of this case:

Joy Behar says Alec Baldwin was charged because the Democratic DA in New Mexico is a ‘big Republican’

“The View” host Joy Behar’s defense of actor Alec Baldwin was a big misfire. The liberal comedian said Friday on the ABC show Baldwin was being charged with involuntary slaughter …

www.nydailynews.com

Santa Fe County has a total population of around 150,000 (which is the size of the town I live in).

Keep in mind that Carmack-Altweis is a District Attorney, not a County Attorney. Her judicial district covers 3 counties.

 

[10ofRods]

Keep in mind that Carmack-Altweis is a District Attorney, not a County Attorney. Her judicial district covers 3 counties.

True - she has a large job.

I have a link to the cell phone video that was in the Santa Fe newspaper yesterday, now available at several news outlets.

It shows Alec practicing with what are either blanks (one would hope) or live ammo (!) without a director saying action, without an armorer present (unless Hannah is using her phone to film - which she ought not to be if she's doing her job as the armorer). It's hard to know what to make of it. We see no crew, no lighting and it is filmed on a cell phone (apparently).

Exclusive: Videos from Alec Baldwin's cell phone show actor firing weapons on 'Rust' set

KOB 4 has obtained video that appears to show Alec Baldwin firing blanks toward a woman recording – a week before prosecutors say he recklessly shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."

www.kob.com

I'd like to hear others' views on the smoke and the sound. It must be at least a half-powder blank, I would think. In theory, when blanks are used, there's plexiglass put up between the camera and the gun; also everyone is required to wear ear protection - except the actor who is being filmed. Was this a free form practice with a real revolver, using real gunpowder?

Speculation, obviously. Just doesn't make Alec look very careful nor does it make the armorer look as if she's properly doing her job, either. I wonder what Dave Halls has said about this.

 

[PrairieWind]

True - she has a large job.

I have a link to the cell phone video that was in the Santa Fe newspaper yesterday, now available at several news outlets.

It shows Alec practicing with what are either blanks (one would hope) or live ammo (!) without a director saying action, without an armorer present (unless Hannah is using her phone to film - which she ought not to be if she's doing her job as the armorer). It's hard to know what to make of it. We see no crew, no lighting and it is filmed on a cell phone (apparently).

Exclusive: Videos from Alec Baldwin's cell phone show actor firing weapons on 'Rust' set

KOB 4 has obtained video that appears to show Alec Baldwin firing blanks toward a woman recording – a week before prosecutors say he recklessly shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."

www.kob.com

I'd like to hear others' views on the smoke and the sound. It must be at least a half-powder blank, I would think. In theory, when blanks are used, there's plexiglass put up between the camera and the gun; also everyone is required to wear ear protection - except the actor who is being filmed. Was this a free form practice with a real revolver, using real gunpowder?

Speculation, obviously. Just doesn't make Alec look very careful nor does it make the armorer look as if she's properly doing her job, either. I wonder what Dave Halls has said about this.

I think its clear those are blanks from the sound. And while it is said the video came from his phone, that doesn't mean it was shot on his phone. Nor is there anything to indicate the armorer isn't present. The video shows what it shows, a movie scene.

 

[Cool Cats]

Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in Rust shooting

Prosecutors accuse the actor of many "extremely reckless acts" as he is charged with an on-set death.

www.bbc.com

Mr Baldwin has previously denied responsibility for the shooting. He argued in media interviews that he did not pull the trigger on the gun and that it had just "gone off", prosecutors alleged.
But photos and videos from the Rust shooting depict Mr Baldwin practising drawing and firing the weapon with his finger inside the trigger guard and on the trigger multiple times, prosecutors said.

Here is a video clip right before the shooting, of Alec's finger inside the trigger. Screenshot below:

New bodycam footage shows moments after fatal "Rust" shooting

Baldwin is seen telling two officers after the shooting that he didn't pull the trigger of the 45-caliber prop gun while rehearsing the scene.

www.cbsnews.com

Trigger Discipline, Pull, & Control [Beginner’s Guide]

Learn proper trigger discipline and control, stages of a trigger pull, and the top 3 ways to get a better trigger pull.

www.pewpewtactical.com

Example of a finger inside the trigger

 

[Marantz4250b]

True - she has a large job.

I have a link to the cell phone video that was in the Santa Fe newspaper yesterday, now available at several news outlets.

It shows Alec practicing with what are either blanks (one would hope) or live ammo (!) without a director saying action, without an armorer present (unless Hannah is using her phone to film - which she ought not to be if she's doing her job as the armorer). It's hard to know what to make of it. We see no crew, no lighting and it is filmed on a cell phone (apparently).

Exclusive: Videos from Alec Baldwin's cell phone show actor firing weapons on 'Rust' set

KOB 4 has obtained video that appears to show Alec Baldwin firing blanks toward a woman recording – a week before prosecutors say he recklessly shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."

www.kob.com

I'd like to hear others' views on the smoke and the sound. It must be at least a half-powder blank, I would think. In theory, when blanks are used, there's plexiglass put up between the camera and the gun; also everyone is required to wear ear protection - except the actor who is being filmed. Was this a free form practice with a real revolver, using real gunpowder?

Speculation, obviously. Just doesn't make Alec look very careful nor does it make the armorer look as if she's properly doing her job, either. I wonder what Dave Halls has said about this.

That's an interesting video. They are definitely blanks; there is lots of smoke which means it's black powder (or some other type of smoke generating pyrotechnic). Black powder is used in blanks (mostly) because it burns differently to modern nitro powders. The latter needs a great deal of confinement and resistance to make it combust properly. You, essentially, cannot use modern nitro powders to make effective blanks because the lack of a projectile in a blank round means the powder won't go "bang". Black powder doesn't need to same confinement in order to go bang.

Most tellingly, there is no recoil when either of the guns discharge which means they are blanks and are not discharging a projectile. Also, using live ammo when filming in that manner with people in front of the gun would be absolutely, insanely dangerous!

What I noticed and thought slightly strange was that each time the revolver discharged there appeared to be a small puff of smoke emanating from the rear of the gun, around the hammer area, as well as the big expulsion from the muzzle. I don't have an explanation for that. Not something I've seen before.

 

[Laughing]

Blanks of some sort, agree, not enough sound or recoil/kick for live rounds.

You can hear the wind -- welcome to New Mexico, Folks -- perhaps smoke from the barrel is caught in the wind & drifts back toward the actor?

Poorly made pistol, smoke leaking from the back? Sounds dangerous.

The news anchor iirc said woman's voice -- sounds like a man saying "Alec" to me?

 

[10ofRods]

I think its clear those are blanks from the sound. And while it is said the video came from his phone, that doesn't mean it was shot on his phone. Nor is there anything to indicate the armorer isn't present. The video shows what it shows, a movie scene.

I'm not even sure that it came from his phone (given the source) but I'll go with that (and obviously, he's not filming)

Glad you agree those are blanks (I have my volume down low for various reasons).

If there was an armorer present, then that person is in complete violation of the rules for use of blanks (for one thing, no filming with a cell phone; no amateur filming; film crew must be present; someone must be there to log the takes).

There's no movie quality camera filming here. So it's really doubtful to me that this was "a movie scene." It's some form of rehearsal - but rehearsals are supposed to be scheduled and on the daily safety bulletin.

There's no boom mic (that report of the bullet isn't adequate to be presented as sound in an actual movie, IMO). There's no direction to the sound - it should have been mic'ed.

And it's been edited (or filmed in spurts). By an amateur, IMO.

Do you really think this was shot on a modern digital movie camera? By someone with directing/cinematography skills? I don't think this was shot for Rust, it's some kind of rehearsal. Before someone starts a scene that has blanks fired in it, they are supposed to yell out that they are rolling - and that the set has to be "clear." I'll have to watch again - but if there's any crew over on our side (behind the camera), he barrel swept a bunch of them. Unless it's just one person - which means it's not a "movie scene." He's just messing around, practicing (but there still should have been a safety person checking each shot and a director directing the safety matters). This is worse than the Twilight Zone movie (which was actually shot but where the rehearsals were wholly inadequate and various parties were allowed to "wing it").

 

[Cool Cats]

Mon, February 27, 2023 at 5:46 PM EST

Alec Baldwin Sued by Three ‘Rust’ Crew Members for ‘Blast Injuries’ in Shooting

Three “Rust” crew members sued Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers on Monday, alleging they have suffered anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer. The three crew members were in the church building at the Bonanza...

www.yahoo.com

Three “Rust” crew members sued Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers on Monday, alleging they have suffered anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer.

The plaintiffs in the latest suit are Ross Addiego, the dolly operator, Doran Curtin, the set costumer, and Reese Price, the key grip. According to the suit, all three were in close proximity to Baldwin when the gun was fired, and suffered “blast injuries” from the deafening sound of the shot.

According to the complaint, Hutchins fell to the ground directly in front of Curtin.

“She watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed at her abdomen,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Plaintiff Curtin was ushered out of the church. Once outside, she collapsed from the effects of the blast and the shock of the shooting.”

 

[Betty P]

True - she has a large job.

I have a link to the cell phone video that was in the Santa Fe newspaper yesterday, now available at several news outlets.

It shows Alec practicing with what are either blanks (one would hope) or live ammo (!) without a director saying action, without an armorer present (unless Hannah is using her phone to film - which she ought not to be if she's doing her job as the armorer). It's hard to know what to make of it. We see no crew, no lighting and it is filmed on a cell phone (apparently).

Exclusive: Videos from Alec Baldwin's cell phone show actor firing weapons on 'Rust' set

KOB 4 has obtained video that appears to show Alec Baldwin firing blanks toward a woman recording – a week before prosecutors say he recklessly shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."

www.kob.com

I'd like to hear others' views on the smoke and the sound. It must be at least a half-powder blank, I would think. In theory, when blanks are used, there's plexiglass put up between the camera and the gun; also everyone is required to wear ear protection - except the actor who is being filmed. Was this a free form practice with a real revolver, using real gunpowder?

Speculation, obviously. Just doesn't make Alec look very careful nor does it make the armorer look as if she's properly doing her job, either. I wonder what Dave Halls has said about this.

I watched it and don't see him aiming the gun at anyone, unless there are people standing out of camera range. The news reporter said the voice sounds like HGR is the person filming the rehearsal on a cell phone camera. If she's the one filming this, she can answer questions about what type of blanks were being used. Well, she can testify somewhat accurately. It's obvious she wasn't always aware of the kind of ammo being used considering several live rounds were found among her supplies.

Also of note, there's a gag order on this case. Who released this video to the news media? Will the judge or prosecutor take some action? It's just the kind of prejudicial, low information leak that could result in a mistrial for both defendants. I thought prosecutors in this case were smarter than this. JMO

 

[PrairieWind]

I'm not even sure that it came from his phone (given the source) but I'll go with that (and obviously, he's not filming)

Glad you agree those are blanks (I have my volume down low for various reasons).

If there was an armorer present, then that person is in complete violation of the rules for use of blanks (for one thing, no filming with a cell phone; no amateur filming; film crew must be present; someone must be there to log the takes).

There's no movie quality camera filming here. So it's really doubtful to me that this was "a movie scene." It's some form of rehearsal - but rehearsals are supposed to be scheduled and on the daily safety bulletin.

There's no boom mic (that report of the bullet isn't adequate to be presented as sound in an actual movie, IMO). There's no direction to the sound - it should have been mic'ed.

And it's been edited (or filmed in spurts). By an amateur, IMO.

Do you really think this was shot on a modern digital movie camera? By someone with directing/cinematography skills? I don't think this was shot for Rust, it's some kind of rehearsal. Before someone starts a scene that has blanks fired in it, they are supposed to yell out that they are rolling - and that the set has to be "clear." I'll have to watch again - but if there's any crew over on our side (behind the camera), he barrel swept a bunch of them. Unless it's just one person - which means it's not a "movie scene." He's just messing around, practicing (but there still should have been a safety person checking each shot and a director directing the safety matters). This is worse than the Twilight Zone movie (which was actually shot but where the rehearsals were wholly inadequate and various parties were allowed to "wing it").

I don't see anything egregious about this video or anything to lead me to believe this isn't a legit rehearsal of some sort. But I don't work in the industry of course.

 

[Marantz4250b]

I don't see anything egregious about this video or anything to lead me to believe this isn't a legit rehearsal of some sort. But I don't work in the industry of course.

I agree, it seems pretty innocuous to me, to be honest. Perhaps it wasn't totally compliant with the "industry standards" (but lots of things seemed not to be on this set) but given they were clearly blanks and the person filming it was clearly a good distance away it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low.

 

[SteveS]

I agree, it seems pretty innocuous to me, to be honest. Perhaps it wasn't totally compliant with the "industry standards" (but lots of things seemed not to be on this set) but given they were clearly blanks and the person filming it was clearly a good distance away it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low.

The counter to that thinking is that (a) HH was killed where "it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low" and (b) that's why you have a professional to oversee ALL gun use on a set, no matter how benign, and rules telling everyone to wait for them to be there and approve before doing ANYTHING that has someone pulling a trigger.

Yes, one time no one was killed. But another time, someone might be (see Hutchins, H). That casualness is not acceptable practice. And that haphazard approach to safety is why we have a dead cinematographer and a trial ahead for those responsible.

 

[PrairieWind]

The counter to that thinking is that (a) HH was killed where "it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low" and (b) that's why you have a professional to oversee ALL gun use on a set, no matter how benign, and rules telling everyone to wait for them to be there and approve before doing ANYTHING that has someone pulling a trigger.

Yes, one time no one was killed. But another time, someone might be (see Hutchins, H). That casualness is not acceptable practice. And that haphazard approach to safety is why we have a dead cinematographer and a trial ahead for those responsible.

yes certainly someone did die. But this particular video to me doesn't seem to provide evidence of anything out of the ordinary. at least to me.

 

[PrairieWind]

The counter to that thinking is that (a) HH was killed where "it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low" and (b) that's why you have a professional to oversee ALL gun use on a set, no matter how benign, and rules telling everyone to wait for them to be there and approve before doing ANYTHING that has someone pulling a trigger.

Yes, one time no one was killed. But another time, someone might be (see Hutchins, H). That casualness is not acceptable practice. And that haphazard approach to safety is why we have a dead cinematographer and a trial ahead for those responsible.

yes certainly someone did die. But this particular video to me doesn't seem to provide evidence of anything out of the ordinary. at least to me.

 

[Marantz4250b]

The counter to that thinking is that (a) HH was killed where "it would appear that any risk to anyone was pretty low" and (b) that's why you have a professional to oversee ALL gun use on a set, no matter how benign, and rules telling everyone to wait for them to be there and approve before doing ANYTHING that has someone pulling a trigger.

Yes, one time no one was killed. But another time, someone might be (see Hutchins, H). That casualness is not acceptable practice. And that haphazard approach to safety is why we have a dead cinematographer and a trial ahead for those responsible.

I completely get what you're saying but the two events are subtly different; the events in this recent video involve blanks, the incident in which HH was killed involved dummies.

IMO when using dummies a much higher level of stringent checking and gun handling should be employed because a dummy looks identical to, and is intended to look identical to, a live round. A dummy is actually intended to deceive - to deceive the audience. That being the case they can deceive those handling them as well unless they are extremely careful in keeping them separate from live ammo and checking what they actually are before loading them.

Blanks, on the other hand, look like blanks and are obviously blanks. That being the case it's never going to be the case that someone sneaks in a live round or one gets mixed up with the blanks because it would be obvious when you were loading them. Yes, there is still a possibility that something may be lodged in the barrel - a stone, perhaps (or, in the case of Brandon Lee, a bullet) but that's easy to check for and it was clear that people were well away from AB when he was shooting. There is a small theoretical risk that a wad or piece of brass from the blank may be discharged and hit someone but that wouldn't travel very far in any event.

If it were me filming that and it was a rehearsal which called for dummy rounds for some reason then I'd be way, way more concerned about safety. Personally, in that circumstance, I'd be insistent that the dummies were made personally by me on my reloading press using my components unless it could be shown to me that they were absolutely safe!

Also, if that outdoor blank firing had to be done in the church building in much more confined circumstances then very different safety considerations would have to be employed but that would depend on the specific circumstances which no one can fully comment on unless they'd seen the actual building.

Bottom line, IMO and from what we see on the recent video - my take is that it wasn't unreasonably unsafe from what we can see. So, if HGR set that practice up (which I think she did) it appears that she did a perfectly satisfactory job. Aso, in respect of AB - yes, I've made no secret of the fact that I don't particularly like him and his behavior has been pretty despicable through this sorry event and he is rightly being prosecuted, but he doesn't seem to be acting unsafely in this video. I'm not on here berating him because I don't like him, credit where it's due.

 

[PrairieWind]

Do we know what HGR was being paid? Just curious.

 

[Marantz4250b]

Do we know what HGR was being paid? Just curious.

Not a great deal, I don't think. She says in one of her interviews that it was effectively only a few days work.

 

[PrairieWind]

Not a great deal, I don't think. She says in one of her interviews that it was effectively only a few days work.

If I remember right the armorer job wasn't really full time and she was also hired as a prop assistant. Is that right? I just wondered what those sort of jobs pay. I really have no idea and couldn't even guess.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

If I remember right the armorer job wasn't really full time and she was also hired as a prop assistant. Is that right? I just wondered what those sort of jobs pay. I really have no idea and couldn't even guess.

Here's the amount she was paid for the armourer/props dual role...

"The Rust script was a very 'gun heavy' western script, with guns needed on 10 of the 12 film days leading up to October 21, and gunfire on at least half of the shooting days," the lawsuit says. "This gun heavy script required Hannah to perform a significant amount of work each day as both an armorer and key props assistant."

Gutierrez-Reed was paid a total of $7,500 to perform both jobs, according to the lawsuit.

Alec Baldwin ignored 'Rust' armorer's request to attend 'cross draw training' just days before the shooting, lawsuit says

The "Rust" armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has sued the film's ammo supplier, alleging the company mixed live ammunition and dummy rounds.

www.insider.com