In a previous conversation with a director specializing in low-budget Western films, he shared an effective strategy: by managing expenses carefully, even more so if you secure a well-known actor or country music star (not necessarily a big name but someone recognizable) for your cast, it’s possible to generate profits solely through DVD and Blu-ray sales. If executed correctly, the revenue can come from rental services like Redbox and large retail stores. Misstep in this approach, he warned, and you might end up with a flop, similar to ‘Rust.’
Despite appearing outdated, modern directors heavily rely on revenue from streaming platforms rather than traditional methods, as budget constraints persist for independent genre filmmakers. This is vividly demonstrated by Rachel Mason in her impressive Hulu documentary “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” where we see that such financial pressures can lead to tragic outcomes.
On October 21, 2021, Halyna Hutchins, a vibrant and promising cinematographer who was well-regarded in the U.S. film industry, tragically lost her life on the set of “Rust,” an independent Western movie featuring Alec Baldwin as Harlan Rust, an aging outlaw striving to shield his nephew from a murder charge following an unintentional killing. In one of the cruel ironies of this real-life drama, Baldwin accidentally caused Hutchins’ death and injured director Joel Souza when he mistakenly fired a prop gun that he believed was loaded with blanks instead of live ammunition.
If Souza and Hutchins had been watching the scene from a secure video village instead, they would have avoided being in the line of fire. Unfortunately, most of Hutchins’ crew left the set due to valid safety concerns, leaving the director and cinematographer little choice but to stand near Baldwin when he handled the loaded weapon. A poignant observation was made by an interlocutor: “The tragic irony is that Halyna was the one who instructed him on where to aim the gun.
Mason, a good friend of Hutchins, weaves together an engaging and gripping story by cleverly combining interviews with individuals linked to the incident – such as the OSHA investigator who exposed a pattern of reckless actions on the “Rust” set – with news clips, police interrogations, and videos captured on mobile devices and police bodycams.
Time after time, I challenge the narratives presented in sensationalized media reports about the tragedy and its aftermath. And subtly hinting throughout, I suggest that those three individuals – Baldwin, assistant director Dave Halls, and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed – who eventually faced trial for causing Hutchins’ death, were not the only ones whose actions could be questioned. As a movie lover, I believe there are more layers to this story than what meets the eye.
On every independent film set I’ve ever worked on, asserts Devon Werkheiser, who starred in “Rust”, “we were always pressed for time and short on funds.” The situation on the “Rust” set seemed particularly problematic to him: “The tight schedule was a struggle. It was tough.” However, costume designer Terese Davis remarks, “It was enjoyable. That is, until it wasn’t.
Striking a delicate balance to avoid offending either parties involved, I found Mason’s documentary strikingly similar to a top-tier episode of “Law & Order,” with hints of “Rashomon” for added intrigue. As the investigators delve deeper, the narrative unfolds and queries arise: Who carelessly loaded the live bullet into Baldwin’s firearm? Or was it inadvertent? And if it wasn’t intentional, how could such a glaring oversight happen?
“Then I found out she was the armorer. Wow.”
The assistant director Halls stated he believed Gutierrez-Reed when she asserted that Baldwin’s firearm was loaded with blanks. A decision he later regretted following Hutchins’ death. (Halls subsequently faced charges for unsafe gun handling, receiving six months of probation through a plea bargain.) Baldwin himself was indicted for involuntary manslaughter, even though he consistently maintained that he didn’t know the weapon was loaded. However, his case was dismissed permanently (meaning it can’t be brought up again) due to what his lawyer successfully demonstrated as alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
Regarding Gutierrez-Reed, she was found guilty of the same offense and received a sentence of 18 months in prison. Notably, the jury delivered their decision in just three hours. The strongest piece of evidence against her: The police discovered additional live ammunition near her workstation on set.
Despite wrapping up production at Montana and being screened at Poland’s Camerimage Film Festival last November, “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna” fails to provide a fully satisfying conclusion. Indeed, the film was completed partly as a tribute to Hutchins, but an enigmatic closing title card leaves us with the unsettling feeling that the full story remains untold. Perhaps there are still those who have yet to face their due consequences. (It’s worth noting that audience reception at the festival was reportedly subdued.)
Simultaneously, the documentary suggests that frugality, making every cent count, coupled with shortcuts and high risks, persist within the independent film industry’s realm.
“Last Take” is now streaming on Hulu.
Read More
- Best Crosshair Codes for Fragpunk
- Monster Hunter Wilds Character Design Codes – Ultimate Collection
- Enigma Of Sepia Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Hollow Era Private Server Codes [RELEASE]
- Wuthering Waves: How to Unlock the Reyes Ruins
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- Ultimate Tales of Wind Radiant Rebirth Tier List
- Best Crossbow Build in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
- Best Jotunnslayer Hordes of Hel Character Builds
- Skull and Bones Timed Out: Players Frustrated by PSN Issues
2025-03-12 05:17