Rust Producers to Pay $100,000 Safety Fine after Shooting

The film set of "Rust", is seen from a distance, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, US, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt//File Photo
The film set of "Rust", is seen from a distance, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, US, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt//File Photo
TT
20

Rust Producers to Pay $100,000 Safety Fine after Shooting

The film set of "Rust", is seen from a distance, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, US, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt//File Photo
The film set of "Rust", is seen from a distance, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, US, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt//File Photo

Producers of the Western movie "Rust" on Friday said they had agreed to pay a $100,000 civil fine for "serious" workplace safety breaches prior to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set in 2021.

New Mexico's worker safety bureau last year levied its maximum possible fine against Rust Movie Productions (RMP) for what it called the firm's "plain indifference" to hazards from weapons mishandling and accidental firearms discharges on set.

Hutchins was killed when actor Alec Baldwin fired a live round from a gun he was using during a rehearsal. Director Joel Souza was injured.

"RMP violated workplace safety laws by exposing employees to being struck by discharged rounds or projectiles when firearms were used on the set," the state's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) said in a statement.

Under the settlement, RMP's fine marked the largest workplace safety penalty in over a decade in New Mexico but was reduced from an original citation of $136,793, according to the OHSB.

"Our top priority has always been resuming production and completing this film so we can honor the life and work of Halyna Hutchins," Melina Spadone, a lawyer for RMP said in a statement. "Settling this case rather than litigating is how we can best move forward."

Rust's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has criticized the film's producers for failing to provide enough time for firearms training. She told the OHSB on Dec. 7 Baldwin's lack of knowledge and "poor form" using a revolver may have led to the accidental discharge that killed Hutchins.

Rust Line Producer Gabrielle Pickle told the agency on Dec. 20 Gutierrez-Reed's requests for extra armorer days were granted.

Gutierrez-Reed, who mistakenly loaded a live round into the gun Baldwin fired, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. At her first court appearance on Friday her lawyer said she would plead not guilty. Baldwin on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the same charge.



Rihanna Reveals Third Pregnancy on Met Gala Night

Rihanna made a fashionably late entrance at the Met Gala -- showcasing a new baby bump. Angela WEISS / AFP
Rihanna made a fashionably late entrance at the Met Gala -- showcasing a new baby bump. Angela WEISS / AFP
TT
20

Rihanna Reveals Third Pregnancy on Met Gala Night

Rihanna made a fashionably late entrance at the Met Gala -- showcasing a new baby bump. Angela WEISS / AFP
Rihanna made a fashionably late entrance at the Met Gala -- showcasing a new baby bump. Angela WEISS / AFP

Rihanna loves to make an entrance at the Met Gala, and she certainly did it again Monday -- this time, announcing to the world that she is pregnant with her third child with rapper A$AP Rocky.

News of the 37-year-old singer and beauty mogul's new baby bump came before her arrival at the A-list fundraising gala, AFP said.

In a portrait put on Instagram by photographer Miles Diggs, she embraced the Black dandy theme of the gala in a fitted gray Miu Miu blouse and skirt -- the baby bump clearly visible -- matching knee-high boots, a fur stole and a black cloche hat.

Then her long-time partner A$AP Rocky, a co-chair of the event, confirmed the news to reporters who offered congratulations on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," the rapper said. "I'm glad everybody's happy for us because we're definitely happy."

Finally, after all of the other guests had arrived, Rihanna hit the red carpet in a deconstructed black ensemble with a cropped jacket, polka dot accessories and a wide-brimmed hat. She cradled the baby bump and smiled for the cameras.

Rihanna made a similarly high-profile pregnancy reveal in 2023 -- while performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. She attended the Met Gala later that year before giving birth.

She and A$AP Rocky are parents to sons RZA, born in May 2022, and Riot, born in August 2023.

Showing off a baby bump at the Met Gala is a thing: retired tennis superstar Serena Williams did it in 2023, and model Karlie Kloss cradled her bump in both 2023 and again this year.