ALBUQUERQUE (NM) A crew member claims she raised safety concerns about Alec Baldwin, the assistant director. Authorities claim Baldwin unknowingly gave Baldwin the prop gun that caused the death of a cinematographer.
Maggie Goll, a licensed pyrotechnician and prop maker, stated in a statement she had filed an internal complaint to the Hulus Into the Dark series' executive producers in 2019. She was concerned about Dave Halls' conduct on set. Goll stated in a telephone interview that Halls ignored safety protocols for weapons, pyrotechnics, and attempted to continue filming when the supervising photographer lost consciousness.
Halls has not responded to email and phone messages seeking comment.
Goll stated that this week's tragic shooting and her past experiences point to bigger safety concerns that must be addressed. She also said that crew member safety is a top concern in ongoing contract negotiations between a union representing film and TV workers, and a major producer's group.
This is not about Dave Halls. She said that it is not the fault of one person. "It's a larger conversation about safety on-set and what we're trying to accomplish with that culture.
Baldwin opened fire on Thursday's New Mexico film Rust with a prop gun, killing Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injuring Joel Souza (who was standing by her).
According to court records, Baldwin used one of three guns that an armorer or firearms specialist had placed on a cart outside the building, where a scene was being practiced. Halls pulled a gun from a cart and gave it to Baldwin. He indicated that the weapon was safe by shouting cold gun." Court papers state. According to records, it was loaded with live ammunition.
Baldwin, 63, is well-known for his roles in 30 Rock, The Hunt for Red October, and Saturday Night Live's impression of President Donald Trump. He described the death as a tragic accident.
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Goll stated that it shouldn't have happened because of the many steps involved... so that it is unlikely that it ever happens.
Ray Liotta, actor, agreed that firearm checks are often extensive.
They check everything I know. They don't give it to the person you are pointing at. Instead, they give it to producers, and they tell anyone who is present that it doesn't work.
Rust Movie Productions has yet to respond to multiple emails requesting comment.
Baldwin, who is a producer for Rust met with Hutchins and his 9-year old son Saturday at Santa Fe's Hotel where the actor was staying while filming. In a photo published in the New York Post, Baldwin can be seen hugging Hutchins' wife. Another photo shows Baldwin, looking defeated, walking on the hotel grounds with a suitcase cart.
Goll stated in an email that Halls' behavior at the set had been a concern in the past.
She stated that Halls failed to hold safety meetings during filming of Into the Dark and repeatedly failed to notify crew members about the presence of a firearm while on set. This is against protocol. Halls was repeatedly reprimanded by the assistant prop master for not returning weapons to the props table before being dismissed.
The most concerning incident for her was when the supervising, diabetic pyrotechnician was found unconscious in a chair. Halls was keen to continue filming even though Goll (the remaining pyrotechnician) didn't have enough qualifications to oversee the complex series of pyrotechnic effects.
The thing that stood out most to me about that day was the fact that he called over on radio channel one and said, Hey Maggie, we can continue! I held down the button so that he could not transmit to anyone else while shouting, Dave, this is not what I said. In a telephone interview, she said that we weren't doing that.
She said that she filed an internal complaint against Blumhouse Productions' executive producers on the same day.
She stated in an email that to my knowledge, nothing had been done following my complaints.
She wrote that she was disappointed in her inability to push for more accountability and safety. "Many of our messages have been asking each other the same question: Is there anything we could have done to prevent the tragedy?"
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Flaccus reported in Portland, Oregon. This report was contributed by Jake Coyle in New York and Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles, Ryan Pearson, Walter Berry, and Michelle Eaton, Newport Beach, California.
