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Halyna Hutchins Death: ‘Archenemy’ Director “Sad” & “Infuriated”; AFI Conservatory Posts Message About Alum; Hollywood, Guilds Reacts

UPDATED with more reactions: Director Adam Egypt Mortimer has said he is “sad” and “infuriated” following the death of DoP Halyna Hutchins on the set of western Rust.

Mortimer worked alongside Hutchins on 2020 action film Archenemy. The filmmaker said on Twitter: “I’m so sad about losing Halyna. And so infuriated that this could happen on a set. She was a brilliant talent who was absolutely committed to art and to film.”

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The director went on to repost a Tweet thread from last year in which he had praised the DoP’s technical skills.

Archenemy star Joe Manganiello said he was “in shock” following the news: “I’m in shock. I was so lucky to have had Halyna Hutchins as my DP on Archenemy. An incredible talent & great person. I can’t believe this could happen in this day and age… gunfire from a prop gun could kill a crew member? What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to her family.”

The AFI Conservatory, of which Hutchins was an alum, posted the following message after the tragic news filtered through: “As is profoundly true in the art of cinematography, words alone cannot capture the loss of one so dear to the AFI community. At AFI, we pledge to see that Halyna Hutchins will live on in the spirit of all who strive to see their dreams realized in stories well told.”

Hutchins was killed on Thursday after a prop gun was discharged on set by actor Alec Baldwin. The director of Rust, Joel Souza, was also injured during the incident and remains in hospital. His condition is unknown.

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“Mr. Baldwin was questioned by investigators and released,” a Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department official told Deadline yesterday evening. “No arrests or charges have been filed.”

On Friday the New Mexico Film Office also put out a statement. “We along with the entire film community in New Mexico are saddened by the tragedy that happened on the set of Rust, yesterday. We send our deepest condolences to the family of
Ms. Halyna Hutchins and are keeping positive thoughts for a complete recovery for Mr. Joel Souza. The safety and well-being of all cast, crew, and filmmakers in New Mexico is a top priority at all times.”

Hutchins was a rising LA-based cinematographer who graduated from the AFI conservatory in 2015 and had worked on a handful of features and shorts.

Credits include Archenemy starring Joe Manganiello, Blindfire starring Brian Geraghty and Sharon Leal, and Darlin’ directed by Pollyanna McIntosh.

Originally from Ukraine, Hutchins grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle. She holds a graduate degree in International Journalism from Kyiv National University in Ukraine and previously worked as an investigative journalist with British documentary productions in Europe.

She was selected as one of American Cinematographer’s Rising Stars of 2019 as well as a cinematographer for the 21st Century Fox DP Lab in 2018.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the much-loved Halyna and wish Joel a quick and full recovery,” Nelson Coates, President of the Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800), and National Executive Director Chuck Parker said. “At this time, it remains unclear how this accident happened, but ADG 800 stresses its commitment to safety on the set at all times. No one should risk their lives while making entertainment for the masses. We hope that our industry will take this moment to examine existing safety measures and ensure proper implementation to prevent tragedies such as this in the future.”

Among those in Hollywood to tweet about the news were Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn who wrote: “My greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of my sets. I pray this will never happen. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust, especially Halyna Hutchins & her family.”

Elijah Wood commented “Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family”:

Brandon Lee’s sister Sharon tweeted: “Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on “Rust”. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.”

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