The devastated family of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer who was shot to death by Alec Baldwin while on set is seeking answers.
Antoly and Olga, the 42-year-old’s parents, are said to be ‘beside their grief’ after hearing of their daughter’s passing from Matthew.
Baldwin shot her on Thursday afternoon at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was filming Rust.
A friend from Kiev in Ukraine said to The Sun: “The family is grieving, but at the same they are asking for answers. They will have the right to sue anyone who made a mistake.
They don’t know how something as terrible as this could have happened despite safety measures being in place.
They are also trying to obtain documents to enter the United States. Her mother doesn’t have the proper paperwork.
The family is also threatening to sue film studio bosses.
Matthew, a California lawyer, comforted their eight-year old son Andros last night at home in California.
Halyna was born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military bases’surrounded by nuclear submarines and reindeer’. She had previously trained as a journalist before moving to Los Angeles where she had established her career and started a family. Halyna is believed to have been raised on a Russian military bases and her father is a former member from the Soviet navy.
The devastated family of Halyna Houtchins, cinematographer, was killed by Alec Baldwin (pictured). They are seeking answers to the tragedy
Halyna’s widower Matthew, a lawyer, was comforting their eight-year-old son Andros at home in California after the shocking tragedy
Alec Baldwin sobs after shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Utchins on Thursday at the set of Rust in Santa Fe (New Mexico).
Baldwin and Hutchins (circled), are seen together on the set for Rust in an Instagram photo she posted two days ago that said the crew of Rust were supporting a strike of the IATSE union.
Sister Sveltana, who now lives in Indonesia, said that she was’very proud of Halyna’ and that she considered her a role-model.
Earlier, husband Matthew told DailyMail.com: ‘I have spoken with Alec Baldwin and he is being very supportive.’
Police have not revealed much information about the shooting. They stated that a projectile’ was fired using a prop gun’ and that they are investigating. Baldwin’s spokesman last night said that only blanks had been used.
Matthew told DailyMail.com that although he was reluctant about revealing details of the tragedy, he was gathering his thoughts to prepare a statement.
He stated, “At the moment, I still don’t have an opportunity to prepare any statement, which is what I plan to release.”
“My intention is to, you’ll know, write down some of the most important things about her life. I plan to post this onto my Twitter as soon I have the opportunity.
He continued, “There’s obviously much to deal with whenever there is any death in the families.” “We are moving to address all the needs on the ground. There are many messages and phone calls.
He said, “And we greatly appreciate your sympathy.” “It feels as if people are going to move mountains.”
He stated that one of the things they were trying to do was to create a memorial with AFI (American Film institute). “And that is in progress, and there will more details in the statement.
Baldwin wrote in two tweets Friday: “There are not enough words to express my shock at the tragic accident that claimed Halyna Hutchins’ life, a mother, wife, and highly admired colleague.
‘I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family.
“My heart is broken for her husband and their son, as well as all those who loved Halyna.”
Witnesses on-set said that Baldwin was shocked after firing the fatal shot and asked: “Why was I given a hot gun?”
Two days before the tragedy, Halyna posted an image of her smiling self on set with Baldwin. She was surrounded at all times by cast and crew members.
In one photo taken after the incident, Baldwin was clearly distressed and bent in anguish by the side of a parking garage. In another photo, he looked distraught as he spoke on his phone.
Friends remember Halyna as a kind and loving soul. She lived in Venice Beach, California with Matthew, her husband, and their son Andros.
The actor, 68 years old, was also photographed double-over in a lot with his hands on his knees, and his face seemingly crammed with distress.
As the sun streams from above, Halyna Hutchins, cinematographer, smiles at the camera as she films herself riding her horse through the New Mexico desert. This was the last Instagram picture that the mother of one, a married mother, shared before Alec Baldwin accidentally killed her while filming a scene in Rust, an upcoming Western.
“Halyna loved him so deeply and enjoyed watching him become the handsome boy that he is today,” one friend wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute. “I know she is looking after Matt in this horribly frightening time.
Halyna’s smile lights up social media photos with a sense of adventure and playfulness.
She was highly respected by her peers and was tipped as a rising star by other cinematographers. Adam Mortimer, director, friend and colleague, stated that she was “absolutely dedicated to art, integrity, and her work.” “I could already tell she was going to be genius.
Baldwin, 62 years old, was filming a scene in Rust when the gun went off. Hutchins was killed and Joel Souza, 48, was left with injuries.
Hutchins, who was in an air ambulance, was rushed to University of New Mexico Hospital. However, he was later declared dead.
Souza was taken by ambulance from his home to the Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center. Although his condition remains unknown, Souza has been released.
Baldwin was taken to Santa Fe detectives’ offices to be questioned over the shooting. Although he was not arrested, he was released later without charges.
According to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office, the gun was fired in the middle of a scene being filmed or rehearsed. It is not clear how the gun was fired, whether it was accidental or intentionally. Detectives claimed that the gun had been ‘discharged,’ but they didn’t give any further details.
While fatalities with prop guns are rare but not uncommon, they do occur. Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee’s martial arts star, was killed in 1993 when part of a prop gun’s barrel got caught in his stomach. Lee was then shot with another dummy rounds.
It is a tragedy that has shaken film industry and inspired friends, colleagues, and strangers to pay tribute Hutchins’s tragically short life.
Alec Baldwin was photographed on the set of Rust wearing fake blood, just hours before he shot the film’s cinematographer. He shared this Instagram photo with the caption: “Back to in person at work.” Blimey…it’s exhausting.’ After the tragic incident at Santa Fe’s Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set, filming was stopped.
Halyna, 42 years old, was killed in an incident at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Joel Souza (pictured) was also hurt.
Police tape the cordons surrounding a small church being used as a film set after a fatal accident at a Bonanza Creek Ranch movie location near Santa Fe.
Halyna Hutchins, who was born in 1979, was the daughter military parents. She grew up on a Soviet base “in the Arctic circle”. She recalled what it was like. They were surrounded by nuclear submarines and reindeer.
In a sign of her broad interests, Halyna, who was fluent in Russian and English, attended the National University of Kyiv, Ukraine’s most prestigious higher education institution, and graduated with a degree in International Journalism.
She used it as a ticket to travel abroad and worked as an investigative reporter, both in print and documentaries.
Richard Denton, the producer of Shakespeare Uncovered and many films from the former USSR, said today that Halyna was a wonderful, vibrant, lively, and positive person to have worked with. She was warm and generous.
“She was able to translate interviews and make Leonid’s horse go in the right direction. She was unpretentious, yet extremely professional.
Hutchins emigrated to the USA at some point and settled in California. She married husband Matthew, a lawyer who worked as an associate with US firm Kirkland & Ellis until 2017. His current role is unknown.
The couple welcomed Andros, their much-loved son, in 2012.
‘I remember when Halyna and I would talk about how much she wanted to have a child so many years ago,’ wrote her friend, Stephanie, ‘and being at the hospital the day he was born and seeing her so filled with happiness.’
Both the couple shared their love-filled family photos on Facebook. They treasured family hikes and fun-filled days outside.
Hutchins began working on short films shortly after Andros was born. She enrolled in a two-year course with the American Film Institute Conservatory to sharpen her skills as a cinematographer. A cinematographer, also known by the title of director of photography, is responsible for the film and lighting crews.
The AFI Conservatory is a well-respected institution in Hollywood. It was a launchpad for directors such as Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), and Patty Jenkins (“Wonder Woman”).
Hutchins would speak later about the role this experience played when she was developing her career. She said it made her rethink her artistic identity. She stated, “One thing that I learned is that cinematography can’t be done by you alone.”
“It’s a group” [project]. While you can develop your vision, communication with your director (and your team) is key to making a film that’s successful.
Hutchins also worked as a fashion photographer to help her create the mood and feel in an image. A series of smaller projects, mainly in short films, followed.
In 2018 she was named as part of the inaugural class of the 21st Century Fox DP Lab, a networking cohort designed to expand opportunities for female cinematographers by connecting them with working professionals.
She was named one of the ‘rising stars’ of cinematography by American Cinematographer in the following year.
In an interview with the publication, she stated that “Right now, i’m just really interested to find fruitful collaborations.” In a nod to Hong Kong director, she said, “I’m just hoping for my Wong Kar-wai.”
Hutchins was involved in two feature films. The first, Darlin’, was directed by Pollyanna MacIntosh (The Walking Dead). It premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. It was also shown internationally at the Edinburgh Film Festival as well as London FrightFest.
Blindfire, Mike Nell’s racially charged police drama, was written by Mike Nell and starred Brian Geraghty, TNT’s The Alienist and Sharon Leal (Supergirl and Instinct). It was awarded Best Crime Drama at Houston International Film Festival, 2020.
Halyna was born in Ukraine, raised on a Soviet military base “surrounded by reindeer & submarines”, and was poised for a bright career in Hollywood when her tragically ended. Pictured in 2018.
Photos capture a sense a playfulness, adventure, and joy. Halyna’s smile lights up photos of Halloween costumes, road trips with buddies, and days spent exploring, as well as snaps of day out exploring.
Hutchins, pictured centre as Harley Quinn, is seen dressing up with her friends at a costume party
Director Adam Egypt Mortimer worked with Hutchins to create the 2020 superhero mystery-thiller Archenemy. He said on GMB Today: “She was someone who was absolutely dedicated art and integrity.
“She was Ukrainian, and she had this amazing European art sensibility. She would find it difficult or impossible to solve any of the problems on our set and would try to make it art.
“I knew from the first time I spoke with her that she would be a great partner to work alongside. She was a genius, and I could tell she was going to be an amazing partner. She was so determined to make movies seem real and true.
Joe Manganiello, actor who starred in Archenemy said that she was ‘an incredible talent and a great person’ on Instagram. He also added that it was a blessing to have Hutchins as the director of photography.
The entrance to Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico on the outskirts Santa Fe where the movie will be filmed
A security guard stands close to Bonanza Creek Ranch, where Alec Baldwin, a Hollywood actor, fatally shot a cinematographer. He also wounded a director after he discharged a protruding gun on the Santa Fe movie set for the film ‘Rust.’
Filming was stopped and the ranch was abandoned Friday morning. Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department continues interviewing ‘witnesses’
Amy J. Berg, director of the film, also wrote a Deadline article about the incident. We lost a rising star in female cinematographer Halyna Houtchins.
Halyna’s Instagram reels and website reels contain many stills and clips of short films and features that she has worked on. They range in genre and aesthetics.
She was recently in Ireland, where she enjoyed running in Dublin and sight-seeing during breaks from filming what is believed be a period drama.
Her social media profiles reflect a strong image of a fun-loving friend who many have paid tribute.
Stephanie, Halyna’s friend, said that she didn’t have any words. She had known Halyna for many years and to learn that she has died is beyond what I can express. She was such a loving and kind soul…
“I can’t believe I’m saying ‘had’. It just doesn’t make sense. I just can’t believe this is happening….Halyna was so full of life and way too young to die.’
Hutchins’ bereaved friends were too distraught not to talk to her, but Ariel Vida a production designer who worked on 2020 film Archenemy, confirmed her death to DailyMail.com. Vida added: “I’m sorry. I can’t speak about this right now.”
Although no criminal charges have been filed against Hutchins, police stated that they are currently conducting a criminal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Juan Rios, sheriff’s spokesperson, stated that investigators believe the scene was filmed using a prop firearm. “Detectives are investigating how and which type of projectile was discharged.”
“The incident remains under active investigation. He said that updates would be made as more information becomes available.
According to a New Mexico Film Office news release, filming for Rust was scheduled to continue through November. However, production has been stopped.