In the aftermath of the death, more and more details have emerged about the reprehensible safety conditions during the filming of “Rust”. Now reports both CNN and the news agency AFP that the assistant director Dave Halls, who delivered the weapon to Alec Baldwin, has previously been fired for a similar, weapons-related incident.
In 2019, Halls worked as an assistant director on the film “Freedom’s Path”, when a prop pistol went off. One of the sound engineers was injured in the incident, says the production company Rocket Soul Studios.
Halls was “immediately fired” after the incident, a decision he himself fully understood. The sound engineer received treatment both on the set and later in hospital, and was back at work a few days later.
– The fatal accident has led many to demand changes in the film industry. Photo: Kevin Mohatt / REUTERS
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Several complaints
The incident on “Freedom’s Path” was not the first time Halls got into trouble. Earlier in 2019, he worked on the film “Into The Dark”, where a prop reported about his behavior to the management.
Among other things, Halls is said to have “given the bluff in safety routines” associated with weapons, and insisted on continuing filming after a film worker had fainted on the set, writes the Associated Press.
Halls himself has not commented on the allegations.
Postponed indefinitely
After the tragic accident, the recording of “Rust” has been postponed indefinitely. The production company says nothing will continue until the investigation is completed, but does not rule out that the postponement may last longer.
The accident happened after Halls gave actor Alec Baldwin a prop pistol, and shouted “cold weapon”, a sign that the weapon was safe to use.
– Police are still investigating the fatal accident that happened just outside Santa Fe. Photo: Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
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The weapon, however, was sharply charged, and seconds later, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza were shot. Hutchings was shot in the chest, and later died of his injuries.
Halls himself has explained that he was not aware that the pistol was sharply charged, and according to court documents, he chose it at random from one with two other prop weapons.
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