‘Zhang’ Producers Avoid Big Claims With Script Head Sue

The main producer behind Oxide won’t have to face major lawsuit claims from script supervisor Mamie Mitchell.

A Los Angeles judge on Friday dismissed charges by Rust Movie Productions, Thomasville Pictures, Ryan Smith and Lengley Cheney for assault and battery because they were unaware that Alec Baldwin fired the gun that killed filmmaker Halina Hutchins.

After filming, the producers claimed that they were not responsible for overseeing the production. They argued in civil court and in the appeal of the fine imposed by the New Mexico Commission on Safety that they simply financed the film.

So far, Mitchell has faced an uphill battle in court, arguing that manufacturing companies are responsible for the shooting. She claims they aided and abetted Baldwin’s attack by providing him with a loaded gun that the actor fired, detailing a disastrous safety culture on set. Oxide Where the producers deviated from general industry norms about the use of weapons to make a film on a tight budget. In July, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Whittaker declined to hear allegations of assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress against producer Anjul Nigam and his loan company, Brittany House Pictures, because the shooting was “unexpected.” “.

Mitchell’s claims against Rust Movie Productions met the same fate, according to the interim ruling issued by the judge.

“Although Plaintiff alleges that Opposition Defendants assisted Baldwin by providing them with a loaded weapon, Plaintiff’s claims do not establish that Objection Defendants knew that Baldwin would aim and fire the loaded weapon at Plaintiff for them to be jointly and severally liable. by your intention. .” “Actually, the author’s claims show the opposite: the only person who knew Baldwin was going to fire the gun was Baldwin.”

Under New Mexico law, it was sufficient for Mitchell to say that the production companies knew that Baldwin would fire a gun at Mitchell and that they had provided substantial assistance or incentive to do so. His lawyers asked the court to allow discovery of the matter.

During Friday’s hearing, Whittaker refused to back down on his proposed ruling. He explained that there is no evidence that Rust Movie Productions had “knowledge that Baldwin would use the firearm in the manner in which he launched it”.

Both parties agree that the scene did not involve shooting and firing from the gun, which was given to Baldwin by assistant director Dave Halls rather than the gunsmith responsible for checking that the chambers were empty. industry security protocols. Regulations also state that firearms must be handled as if they were loaded at all times.

Carlos Hernandez, who represents Mitchell, argued that the producers should have expected the fatal shooting because they knew there was a loaded gun on set.

“They had this knowledge,” he said. “They knew about it and facilitated its use to break the law in New Mexico.” It’s a bit unique because of the actual charges here. They are not specific to facilitating an attack.”

Whittaker responded that the arguments only addressed Mitchell’s allegation of negligence. He concluded: “The train must leave the station. We must proceed with the trial. “