(USNewsMag.com) – The Directors Guild of America is launching a review committee to find ways to improve safety on-set in the wake of the October 2021 “Rust” shooting. The decision came after Alec Baldwin killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza by firing a gun he claims he didn’t know had a live round in it while rehearsing a scene.
According to the Los Angeles Times, director Karen Gaviola, known for directing “Lucifer” and “Sons of Anarchy,” will head up the committee. The Directors Guild represents 18,000 directors, assistant directors, and production managers. In a statement to the Times, the Guild said, “Safety has been and continues to be a top priority for the [organization].” They also said they’re working with leaders in California to craft legislation to ensure the safety of those who work on TV and in films.
The Directors Guild of America said it is taking a tougher stance on film set safety in the wake of the “Rust” tragedy. https://t.co/hRtvfCCo2x
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) April 6, 2022
Hutchins’ husband, Matt, filed a lawsuit against Baldwin and several others in February. The suit alleged the cinematographer would still be alive if the producers, production company, and Baldwin had “taken adequate precautions to ensure firearm safety.”
Baldwin has denied any responsibility for the shooting. Matt Hutchins’ attorney, Brian Panish, told reporters in February the shooting was clear-cut, saying the actor was holding the gun “he shot it [and] Halyna was killed.”
It’s unclear how long the newly-formed committee will take to create new safety measures.
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