Rust’s assistant director was accused of making a series of gun-safety gaffes during a previous production. Staff were also said to have felt uncomfortable with his ‘touchy-feely’ behavior.
After working with Dave Halls on Into the Dark, a previous production on Hulu in 2019, Maggie Goll, a prop maker and pyrotechnician, made complaints against him.
Goll claimed in a statement to CNN that Halls had never addressed weapon safety protocols in production meetings, or when a firearm was to go on the set.
Goll also stated that another crew member told her to ‘watch out for him’ because Halls was known to be touchy-feely.
According to court documents, Hutchins may have lost his life because of his behavior on set.
In a statement by Maggie Goll, pyrotechnician and prop master Maggie Halls, Dave Halls was accused of being ‘touchy” with crew members and not following gun protocol on film sets.
According to court documents, Halls was the one that gave Alec Baldwin the loaded gun that accidentally led to the death of cinematographer Halyna HUTCHINS.
Goll spoke out about her experience with Halls on Into the Dark. He had not held production meetings to comply with standard weapon safety protocols.
These regulations require that any weapon used on a set, whether real or fake, must be ‘introduced to’ the cast and crew so they are aware of its presence and can follow other safety protocols.
Goll stated in the statement that ‘the only reason the crew was made aware about a weapon’s existence was because the assistant propmaster demanded Dave acknowledge the situation and announce it each day.
She also stated that Halls would be reprimanded by the prop master for not acknowledging the protocol.
According to her statement, the prop master would ‘announce each day when a gun would be required on camera, the disposition of that weapon — whether it was a rubber/plastic replica, a non-firing option, or a ‘cold’ functional, but unloaded option, allowing anyone to inspect said weapon prior to bringing it to set and presenting it to the talent.’
‘The Prop Master regularly reprimanded Dave because he dismissed the talent without returning props, weapon included. He also criticized him for failing to make safety announcements.
Goll claimed that she had previously worked alongside Halls on Hulu’s anthology series Into the Dark in 2019. The set was photographed in 2018 by Jimmi Simpson and Kylie Rogers.
Another crew member, unnamed, said that Halls would only have short meetings about guns when needed but would often ask why he was holding them. However, he claimed that the protocols were the same for every film set.
Goll’s statement also stated that a pyrotechnician was told by Goll to continue working on set despite her telling him about a medical emergency.
Goll continued, “I told them they can film whatever they want, but there would be no sparks or fire until the medic, fire officer, and all of our crewmates were safely returned to set,” Goll stated.
She also discussed Halls’ alleged ‘handsy misconduct’ that made other crew members uncomfortable.
“On my first day on the series, another crewmember told me to “watch out for Dave,” stating that he was too familiar with crew members despite numerous complaints and rebuffs about unwelcome and unnecessary touches.
“Nothing too extreme. Crew members of all genders were being made uncomfortable because Dave’s touches on their backs, waists and shoulders.
Goll claimed that nothing has been done to her complaints, as far as she knows, after she submitted them to Blumhouse Productions, the Director’s Guild of America, and Blumhouse Productions.
The accusations made against Halls comes after Rust set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, was also under fire for previous on-set behavior.
Hannah Gutierrez – Reed, 24, was the set armourer. She had left the loaded gun at the filming location. Halls took it home and gave it Baldwin.
Gutierrez–Reed was also said to have given an 11-year old child actor a gun on set of Nicholas Cage film The Old Way without checking it
Two production sources claim GuiterrezReed gave a gun to an 11-year old child actor on the set for Nicholas Cage’s The Old Way without checking it.
They said that she was loading blanks in an “unsafe” manner and was a bit reckless with the guns.
According to Rust, she was reported to have set up the three prop guns on a cart and Halls grabbed one of the loaded guns that was given to Baldwin.
Halls had yelled “Cold gun!” Halls had yelled “Cold gun!” after giving it to Baldwin, signaling that the weapon was safe for firing.
Baldwin shot Hutchins accidentally and injures Joel Souza.
Hutchins was later declared dead at UNM Hospital Albuquerque on Thursday.
Baldwin expressed shock and sadness on Twitter Friday. I’m fully cooperating in the police investigation to determine how this tragedy occurred. I am in touch and offering my support for her husband and his family. My heart breaks for her husband and their son, as well as all those who knew and loved Halyna.
He then tweeted a Variety article titled Alec Baldwin Was Told Prop Gun Was Safe Before Fatal Shooting, Affidavit Says.
After speaking with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department about the shooting, he was shown looking in pain on Thursday.
On Saturday night, hundreds of members from local entertainment unions came to Santa Fe to pay their respects.
Baldwin, 63 years old, accidentally shot Hutchins. He also injured director Joel Souza when he fired at his camera.
Matthew Hutchins and his son Andros move to another New Mexico Hotel after the tragic death Halyna Hutchins’ wife. Alec Baldwin accidentally shot Matthew Hutchins while making a western movie.
Matthew attended a private service of condolence for his wife with Alec Baldwin and his son, who he had been in touch with since his tragic death.
Hutchins husband shared a touching tribute for his wife on Twitter Friday. Matthew Hutchins shared a photo on Friday of his wife and their 9 year-old son Andros. It was captioned: “Halyna inspired all of us with her passion and vision. Her legacy is too meaningful for words to capture.
‘Our loss is enormous, and we ask that the media please respect my family’s privacy as we process our grief. We are grateful to everyone who shared images and stories about her life.
His Facebook profile picture shows a photo of his 16-year-old wife. His bio now says: “We miss you, Halyna.”
Friday’s private memorial was attended by Baldwin, Hutchins, and Andros.
The International Cinematographers Guild organized a candlelight vigil at Albuquerque Civic Plaza, as calls for measures to protect movie crew from on-set firearm-related accidents grow.
A second vigil for Hutchins will be held on Sunday, June 6th from 6.30 to 7.30pm at IATSE Local 80 headquarters Burbank.
On October 23, Hutchins was honored at the Albuquerque Civic Plaza.
Hutchins’ candlelit vigil was attended by dozens
Dozens of people attended the Albuquerque vigil. They lit candles, shared heartfelt messages about Hutchins, and held candles.
“Tonight is about Halyna. During the vigil, a woman said that there will be plenty of time for the who, the what, and the why in the near future.
“But we have to accomplish two things tonight. She continued, “The first is to comfort one another and the second is for us to celebrate the extraordinary life of a remarkable lady that was cut too soon.”
“Let’s all gather together to honor Halyna, her achievements, and grieve as one. Please bring your candle and join us for a candlelight candlelight vigil in memory of Halyna. This was previously shared by the International Cinematographers Guild on Facebook.
Signs that read “She deserved a safe work environment!” The vigil attendees held signs reading ‘She deserved a safe workplace!’ and ‘S.O.S Safety On Sets’.
A change.org petition calling for Hollywood to ban the use of firearms on film sets has gathered over 10,000 signatures since it was created on Thursday.
Hutchins’ friend and colleague Director Bandar Albaliwi started the petition. There is no excuse for something such as this to happen in 21st century. On film production sets, real guns are no longer necessary.
He tweeted: ‘There’s no reason to have guns loaded with blanks or anything on set anymore. It should be outlawed completely. There’s computers now.