Quentin Tarantino Says Alec Baldwin Is ‘10% Responsible’ for ‘Rust’ Shooting and Using Fake Guns With VFX Is Like ‘Adding Digital Erections to Porno Movies’: ‘Who Wants to F—ing Watch That?’

As a seasoned filmmaker with extensive experience handling guns on set, I wholeheartedly agree with Quentin Tarantino‘s stance on this matter. While it’s undeniable that the armorer bears the majority of the responsibility for ensuring the safety of weapons on set, I firmly believe that actors also play a part in maintaining that safety. It’s like sharing a ride in a car – the driver is primarily responsible for getting us to our destination safely, but as passengers, we buckle up and follow traffic rules too.


In a recent chat on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Quentin Tarantino and Bill Maher talked about Alec Baldwin’s involvement in the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. While Maher felt that Baldwin shouldn’t be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter, Tarantino believed that the actor holds some accountability. The firearm Baldwin was handling on the “Rust” set contained live ammunition, and Hutchins was fatally wounded and director Joel Souza was injured when Baldwin discharged it.

Quentin Tarantino stated, “I believe it’s reasonable to say that the person who provides the weapon bears most of the responsibility for any incidents involving that firearm, but the actor shares some responsibility too as they are handling it. After all, it’s a gun, and everyone involved has a role in its safe use.”

Director Quentin Tarantino, known for using firearms in his movie productions, emphasized that actors should be provided with the guns they’ll handle on camera prior to filming, and if there are safety procedures involved, they should be followed. He stated, “It’s handled with care and precision, and you know it’s not just for show.”

Tarantino further explained, “An actor can manage this situation as follows: If he adheres to the procedures given…For instance, if the barrel appears empty on screen, there’s nothing obstructing it or anything lodged inside. They actually demonstrate the clear barrel. Then they display the blanks and the gun, signaling it’s now ready for use.”

On film sets, even though it’s primarily the armorer who oversees gun safety, Tarantino believes actors must also ensure that the firearms they handle are safe. In the case of “Rust,” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and will serve 18 months in prison. The movie’s first assistant director, Dave Halls, accepted a plea bargain for a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, Baldwin faced charges for involuntary manslaughter but the case was dropped on July 12 when the judge determined evidence had been withheld by authorities.

Maher questioned Tarantino about why real guns can’t be replaced with rubber props on film sets, instead using visual effects later for the gunfire and sounds. This mindset has become more prevalent in Hollywood following Hutchins’ tragic death. For example, Dwayne Johnson announced that all productions under his Seven Bucks Productions will now use “fake guns.”

“Tarantino seems to be expressing a preference against using fake props, such as digital erections in adult films, by saying it’s unnecessary. Instead, he finds excitement in the authenticity of seeing ‘the real orange fire,’ or the genuine effects, rather than adding artificial ones.”

Tarantino emphasized that despite numerous gunshots in our films, there are merely two instances where accidents involving guns occurred on set – the Rust incident and the tragic death of Brandon Lee during The Crow’s production. He went on to say, “Considering that, it’s a remarkably safe record.”

Listen to Tarantino’s full interview on the “Club Random” podcast here.

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2024-08-26 18:47