Actor Alec Baldwin was seen looking tired during a FaceTime call with his wife Hilaria, before he accidentally fatally shot a crewmember on the set of his movie Rust.
The 63-year-old actor fired off a prop gun on set of the western in New Mexico on Thursday.
It hit cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killing her at the age of 42, while the film’s director Joel Souza was also left injured.
In an Instagram story image shared by his wife three hours before the incident, the 30 Rock star had visible bags under his eyes and appeared drawn during the conversation.
The actor had his blue face mask tucked around his chin and appeared to be sitting in a car.
Hours later, authorities responded to an incident at Bonanza Creek at around 1:50pm following 911 calls indicating someone had been shot on set.
What is a blank?
A blank is a firearm cartridge that generates a muzzle flash and an explosive sound like any normal gunshot, and the firearm experiences a recoil capable of cycling its action, but without shooting a projectile.
They’re often used on set for shooting simulations that still demand light and sound effects.
Blank cartridges comprised of most parts of real ammunition – the casing (or shell), propellant material (gunpowder) which is inside the casing) and a primer on the bottom of the cartridge – apart from the projectile (or bullet).
Blanks are often made of wads of paper, plastic, felt or cotton, however they are propelled at high velocity and are far from harmless with injuries occuring if there is something in the barrel that comes in contact with the releasing gas of the blank.
According to People, Hutchins was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Rust actress Frances Fisher has confirmed that director Souza, 48, has been released from hospital.
Who is Halyna Hutchins?
Halyna Hutchins, a mother of one, was born in the Ukraine and grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle before attending Kyiv National University.
After graduating with a degree in international journalism, she worked as an investigative journalist for British documentaries in Eastern Europe.
However, Hutchins’ true passion lay in filmmaking, and she moved to Los Angeles, where she got work as a production assistant and a grip electric.
She also shot her own short films, inspired by cinematographers including Christopher Doyle and Sergey Urusevskiy.
On the advice of cinematographer Robert Primes, Hutchins enrolled the filmmaking MFA programme at the American Film Institute Conservatory in 2013 and graduated two years later.
In 2018, Hutchins was one of eight female cinematographers selected for the inaugural 21st Century Fox DP Lab, and in 2019, she was chosen as a Rising Star by American Cinematographer magazine.
Hutchins went on to work on films including horrors The Mad Hatter and Darlin’ and police drama Blindfire, and the BET+ series A Luv Tale: The Series.
She also worked on the Joe Mangianello mystery thriller Archenemy, which premiered at Beyond Fest 2020 and received a nomination at the Sitges International Film Festival.
Production company Rust Movies Productions LLC addressed the incident in a statement, which read: ‘The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones.
‘We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation.’
A spokesperson from the Sante Fe Sheriff’s Department also stated: ‘Mr Baldwin was questioned by investigators and released. No arrests or charges have been filed.
‘This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.’
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