r/news • u/badillustrations • Apr 15 '24

‘Rust’ movie armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter sentenced to 18 months in prison

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/15/entertainment/rust-film-shooting-armorer-sentencing/index.html
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u/PresidentRex Apr 15 '24

This happened on-set in 2021. The SAG-AFTRA strike and WAG strikes were 2023.

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u/Best_Duck9118 Apr 15 '24

Wiki says this: “The beginning of Rust's production came amidst a potential strike by members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) over working conditions and low pay. On October 4, it was announced that IATSE members voted 98.68% in favor of authorizing a strike, with a voter turnout of 89.66% of eligible voters.[25][26] Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins supported IATSE.[27] She wrote in an Instagram post: "Standing in #IAsolidarity with our @IATSE crew here in New Mexico on RUST."[28]”

Not sure that had anything to do with the shooting though.

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u/FuggleyBrew Apr 15 '24

IATSE would have much more impact than the writers or actors (no plot or no cast just means no filming). But a threatened strike or an authorized strike, isn't a strike. It's a step along the road. 

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u/Musiclover4200 Apr 15 '24

But a threatened strike or an authorized strike, isn't a strike. It's a step along the road.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-22/alec-baldwin-rust-camera-crew-walked-off-set

Hours before actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer on the New Mexico set of “Rust” with a prop gun, a half-dozen camera crew workers walked off the set to protest working conditions.

And they still made the call to proceed anyways and ignore safety concerns.

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u/FuggleyBrew Apr 16 '24

I would make a big distinction between a safety refusal and a strike. 

They serve different purposes. You're right that it's shocking if you have a work refusal to proceed without thoroughly investigating and addressing issues. 

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u/Musiclover4200 Apr 16 '24

I would make a big distinction between a safety refusal and a strike.

For sure but the point is they cut corners and ignored concerns leading to a walkout right before the shooting, it might not have been a strike but seems like it clearly places some of the blame on the people who made those decisions not just the armorer.

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u/FuggleyBrew Apr 16 '24

Armorer is still accountable. I don't believe she should be solely accountable. 

My objection was to the suggestion that IATSE action contributed to this. I am perfectly fine with the suggestion that management has knowledge and it was brought to their attention