2021-10-26 13:29:40

“Worked to Death”: IATSE Film Crew on “Rust” Walked Off Set to Protest Conditions Before Shooting

We look at how the tragic shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of “Rust” last Thursday on a set in New Mexico is drawing attention to cost-cutting decisions and overall safety in the film industry. Yahoo News is reporting the gun that killed Hutchins had been used by crew members just hours beforehand for live-ammunition target practice.

The film’s lead actor and producer Alec Baldwin later shot the revolver after he was reportedly handed it by the first assistant director, David Halls, who told him it was a “cold gun,” meaning it was not loaded with live ammunition. Halls was fired in 2019 from his position as assistant director on the movie “Freedom’s Path” after a gun “unexpectedly discharged” and injured a crew member.

All of this happened after some of the unionized IATSE below-the-line crew members had walked off the set of “Rust” earlier on the day of the shooting to protest their housing, payment and working conditions.

New Mexico is a “right to work” state, so producers were able to hire nonunion replacements and continue working on the film.

We speak with Dutch Merrick, prop master and armorer for over 25 years and past president of IATSE Local 44 Property Craftspersons, Hollywood, who notes, “Hollywood handles firearms every single day,” and calls the process “carefully regulated.”

Despite safety protocol and expertise, he says, Hollywood crews are getting “worked to death” with 80- to 100-hour workweeks, which he suggests played into the accidental shooting.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Alec Baldwin Amy Goodman Democracy Now! Free Speech TV Halyna Hutchins New Mexico Rust Worker safety Workers' Rights

Human Rights and Equality

BreakThrough News

BreakThrough News | Texas Wants to "Make America White Again"

BreakThrough News | Texas Wants to "Make America White Again"

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | Instances of Racism Surface During Black History Month - Really?

This Week In White Supremacy | Instances of Racism Surface During Black History Month - Really?

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | Tensions The N Word Creates Amongst Black People and Reclaiming Power

This Week In White Supremacy | Tensions The N Word Creates Amongst Black People and Reclaiming Power

Indian Country Today

Indian Country Today | Tribal Leaders Speak Out Against The Washington Commanders Name Change

Indian Country Today | Tribal Leaders Speak Out Against The Washington Commanders Name Change

Related

Rising Up With Sonali | How A Yes! Magazine Investigator Debunked Allegations Against Hamas

Rising Up With Sonali | How A Yes! Magazine Investigator Debunked Allegations Against Hamas

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | Donald Trump's Political Grifting Continues

The Thom Hartmann Program | Donald Trump's Political Grifting Continues

The David Pakman Show

The David Pakman Show | Donald Trump's Blueprint

The David Pakman Show | Donald Trump's Blueprint

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | House Speaker Mike Johnson's Dangerous Beliefs

The Stephanie Miller Show | House Speaker Mike Johnson's Dangerous Beliefs

Proud Partners