Gun Safety on Film Sets - How it's handled and what went wrong on RUST and THE CROW

On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when a live round was discharged from a prop revolver that actor Alec Baldwin was using. - Wikipedia

This film set tragedy ignited a discussion in the world of film and video production on the handling of guns on sets as well as raising questions about how accidents such as this can be prevented. Now TRUE FILM FAN brings you a comprehensive 63 minute interview with Dutch Merrick, a long time property master and armorer with three decades of film industry experience.

Both the RUST shooting as well as the 1993 death of actor Brandon Lee on the set of THE CROW are discussed in detail. Dutch also talks about a book he wrote on film set gun safety practices and talks about the courses he offers in gun safety both in Los Angeles and touring the country.

John Wesley Downey
TRUE FILM FAN