Producer of ‘Rust’ denies responsibility for filming and guarantees that it was not the manager

The manufacturing company behind Oxide he is trying to distance himself from key people he says were responsible for the fatal shooting that left two crew members dead and injured.

Contrary to findings by the New Mexico Security Agency, Rust Movie Productions argued on Tuesday that it was not to blame on the set because it was not a production employee and relied on independent contractors, namely gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reid. , for supervision. Weapon safety. The producer claimed that he was the only employee who was “solely responsible for all duties related to the use of firearms and ammunition”, including the responsibility to “ensure the RMP ban on live ammunition, which only blanks will be provided . . It was used when the script required it and only dummy rounds were used. ”

The announcement comes after the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office decided whether to prosecute criminal charges for the accidental shooting that killed cinematographer Halina Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza, according to a source close to the investigation. .

In April, the New Mexico Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Occupational Safety and Health issued the maximum fine allowed under state law of $136,793 for multiple violations of safety protocols. Oxide. The production company was found to have shown “simple disregard” for the well-being of the cast and crew, pointing to the introduction of live ammunition and the staff’s inability to properly handle firearms.

Rust Movie Productions appealed the decision, which led to the filing of an administrative complaint to resolve the citation after unsuccessful settlement negotiations. In its response, the company emphasized that its responsibility was limited to funding and hiring the staff and talent to make the film.

“The team hired by RMP was outsourced,” the producer said in a statement. “When necessary, each independent third-party supervisor was responsible for the people in their department (eg special effects, stuntmen or animal handlers).

According to the manufacturing company, the purchase of the fake and empty cartridges was in charge of the owner of the property, Sarah Zachary and Gutiérrez-Reid. He said he trusted Gutiérrez-Reed to “perform and oversee all functions related to the use of firearms, including, but not limited to, safety training, procurement and use of empty and false cartridges, selection of firearms and supervision of the foreman of the property”. [Zachary].”

Minutes before the incident, Gutierrez-Reid loaded Alec Baldwin with what he believed to be a fake bullet, entered the church where the scene was being filmed, and handed the gun to assistant director Dave Hall. Gutierrez-Reed told investigators he was under the impression he was called in to perform a security check on Baldwin’s gun. He claims in the court filing that he was cleared of responsibility for the shooting after handing the gun over to Hall.

But the manufacturing company argued that Gutierrez-Reid is guilty as an independent contractor for failing to guarantee the use of fictitious rounds. He rejected the idea that Gutierrez-Reid’s duties “were somehow transferred to other people (like Mr. Halls) simply by handing over the firearms”.

Other findings in the agency report included that Gutierrez-Reed was very thin. In accordance with industry-recognized safety practices, gunsmiths must be present when a firearm is used and must have the authority to determine whether a person needs additional safety training. According to the report, Gutierrez-Reid was supposed to act as a backup assistant when the firearm was not in active use. Line producer Gabriel Pickle told him that he was given eight days off as a gunsmith and that the rest of his time would be spent as a prop assistant.

Rust Movie Productions denied that Gutierrez-Reid was instructed to focus less on gunsmith duties. He also denied claims that the team responsible for ensuring the safety of the firearms was not investigated and that first camera assistant Lane Looper resigned over unresolved safety issues.

The New Mexico Security Agency and Jason Bowles, an attorney representing Gutierrez-Reid, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Friday Oxide Screenwriter Mamie Mitchell dropped some of the claims in her lawsuit against the film’s producers. He said he would withdraw the causes of action for assault, battery, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress, leaving only a malpractice claim. Mitchell looking to keep Oxide Producer in the position of not being the lessee of the production, which explains the damages in the civil negligence action. Under New Mexico labor law, workers who file a negligence claim against their employer are limited to worker’s compensation.

The standard for determining whether Gutierrez-Reed qualifies as an independent contractor differs between civil court and law enforcement procedures.