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Baldwin shares open letter from ‘Rust’ crew rejecting reports of ‘chaotic’ set

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Alec Baldwin is sharing a letter signed by “Rust” cast and crew members denying there was chaos on the production before the film’s cinematographer was killed in a shooting on set.

The more than 20 people who signed the letter posted Thursday by Baldwin on Instagram write that they believe “the public narrative surrounding our workplace tragedy to be inadequate and wish to express a more accurate account of our experience.”

“We are hurting from the loss of our friend and colleague, Halyna Hutchins,” the letter says. “We are hurting for our friends that have been targeted by the public as they themselves grieve.”

Hutchins, “Rust’s” cinematographer, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured by a “suspected live round” from the gun Baldwin was holding while working on a scene on the movie’s New Mexico set in October, according to authorities.

No one has been charged in the shooting, but Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has said, “All options are on the table at this point.”

In their letter, the production team defends “Rust’s” workplace conditions: “Unfortunately, in the film industry, it is common to work on unprofessional or hectic productions to gain experience and credits. Many of us have worked on those types of productions. ‘Rust’ was not one of them.”

” ‘Rust’ was professional,” the letter says, while acknowledging that “no set is perfect” and the film encountered “areas that were more challenging.”

“The descriptions of ‘Rust’ as a chaotic, dangerous, and exploitative workplace are false and distract from what matters the most: the memory of Halyna Hutchins, and the need to find modern alternatives to outdated industry firearm and safety practices.”

In an interview earlier this month, Baldwin told George Stephanopoulos that he doesn’t feel guilty about Hutchins’s shooting death because someone else “is responsible.”

The letter shared by Baldwin says those who signed it are “supporting each other and cooperating with investigators.”

Tags Alec Baldwin alec baldwin shooting George Stephanopoulos Halyna Hutchins Rust Rust shooting Rust shooting incident

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