‘She was my role model:’ Halyna Hutchins’ sister pays tribute to the 42-year-old mother and cinematographer as hundreds gather in Burbank for her candlelit vigil
- The sister of Halyna Hutchins is speaking out for the first time after the 42-year-old mother was killed while helping to make the Western film ‘Rust’
- Hutchins, a 42-year-old cinematographer, died on set after being shot by actor Alec Baldwin when a he accidentally discharged a prop gun
- ‘I cannot comprehend (it). I loved her very much; I was very proud of her, she was my role model. We were always close and remained in touch, despite distance’
- ‘This loss is a great grief for our family, and I see how hard it is for our parents. Hopefully, time will ease our heartache,’ Androsovych added
- On Sunday, hundreds of people from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 gathered in Burbank for a vigil honoring Hutchins
- Mourners held candles in Hutchins’ honor while watching a slideshow of the cinematographer in silence on Sunday
- The International Cinematographers Guild also organized a candlelight vigil at Albuquerque Civic Plaza to celebrate Hutchins’ life earlier in the day Sunday
The sister of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died on set after being shot by actor Alec Baldwin when he accidentally discharged a prop gun, has spoken about her loss of on Halyna Hutchins’ death, just days before hundreds came together in Burbank, California, for a candlelight vigil.
The 42-year-old mother was killed while helping to make the Western film ‘Rust,’ on Thursday, October 21.
‘I cannot comprehend (her passing),’ Hutchins’ younger sister, Svetlana Androsovych told the Kyiv Post. ‘I loved her very much; I was very proud of her, and she was my role model. We were always close and remained in touch, despite the distance.’
‘This loss is a great grief for our family, and I see how hard it is for our parents. Hopefully, time will ease our heartache,’ said Androsovych, who now lives in Indonesia. Androsovych and Hutchins were both born in Ukraine, with their parents still living in Kyiv.
Hutchins leaves behind nine-year-old son Andros as well as husband Matthew Hutchins.
‘Her determination was admired by many. Her marriage and relationship with her husband is an example to follow – no quarrels or scandals. It was real love, their beautiful son, is proof of that, we call him ‘wunderkind’ – a brilliant and capable boy.’
Meanwhile, on Sunday, hundreds of people from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 gathered in Burbank, California for a vigil honoring Hutchins.
Halyna Hutchins, (right) a 42-year-old mother and cinematographer, was killed while helping to make the Western film ‘Rust,’ on Thursday, October 21. ‘I cannot comprehend (her passing). I loved her very much; I was very proud of her, and she was my role model,’ Hutchins’ younger sister, Svetlana Androsovych, (left) said
People attend a vigil for late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the film set of ‘Rust,’ in Burbank, Los Angeles on Sunday, October 24
Hundreds International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 workers attend a candlelight vigil held in Burbank
Mourners held candles in Hutchins’ honor while watching a slideshow, pictured, of the cinematographer in silence on Sunday
Candles are lighted during a vigil for late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the film set of “Rust”, in Burbank, Los Angeles on Sunday October 24
Lisa Walker, pictured, attends a vigil for late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Sunday
People attend candlelight vigil for cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in Burbank on Sunday after she was killed by a prop gun fired by actor Alec Baldwin while on set for the movie ‘Rust’
A woman lays down a candle during a vigil for the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, seen in photographs at top right, Sunday, October 24
Pictured: People attend a vigil for late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the film set of “Rust”, in Burbank
A woman lights a candle in honor of Hutchins on Sunday in Burbank, California
Mourners watch on silently as a slideshow of pictures featuring Hutchins graced the screen on the exterior of a nearby building
A friend of Hutchins, Crystal Rivers, described her as a ‘beautiful spirit’ as she attended the vigil in a Burbank parking lot on Sunday evening.
Rivers said she first met Hutchins at the American Film Institute, where she would tell students about the importance of having more women in the entertainment and film industries.
‘She was such an incredible inspiration,’ Rivers said, ‘in the way that she worked so hard to support other people on their way up in their careers.’
Mourners held candles in Hutchins’ honor while watching a slideshow of the cinematographer in silence, while another candlelight vigil was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico a day beforehand.
Pictured: hundreds of members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 attend Sunday’s vigil for slain member Halyna Hutchins
Candles adorned with Hutchins’ name illuminate the Burbank night sky on Sunday as people place candles in honor of the late cinematographer and mother-of-one
Pictured: Union slogans are seen on a car at the candlelight vigil for Halyna Hutchins
Mourners attend a candlelight vigil for Halyna Hutchins at IATSE West Coast Office on October 24, 2021 in Burbank
Hundreds of mourners and members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 attend Sunday’s vigil
Mourners watch a slideshow during the candlelight vigil for Halyna Hutchins on Sunday in Burbank
Two women hold candles in honor of Hutchins, who died Thursday after a prop gun was accidentally discharged in her direction by actor Alec Baldwin
A couple attend the candlelight vigil for 42-year-old mother and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Sunday in Burbank
Pictured: Mourners attend a candlelight vigil for Halyna Hutchins in Burbank on Sunday
Mourners hold lit candles as they attend vigil for cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was accidentally killed by a prop gun fired by actor Alec Baldwin, in Burbank Sunday
Halyna Hutchins attends the SAGindie Sundance Filmmakers Reception at Cafe Terigo on January 28, 2019 in Park City, Utah
Pictured: Alec Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film ‘Rust’ on Thursday
‘Kind and loving’ cinematographer killed in Alec Baldwin tragedy: Ukraine-born married mother Halyna Hutchins, 42, was raised on a Soviet military base surrounded by nuclear submarines, trained as a journalist and was tipped as a rising star in Hollywood
Sun streaming from above, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins smiles into the camera as she films herself riding off into the New Mexico desert on horseback.
This was the last Instagram post shared by the married mother-of-one before she was accidentally killed by actor Alec Baldwin when he fired a prop gun while filming a scene for an upcoming Western on a ranch near Santa Fe.
Born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military base ‘surrounded by reindeer and nuclear submarines’, Halyna, 42, had trained as a journalist and spent time in Europe working on British documentaries before making the move to Los Angeles, where she had established her career – and started a family.
Born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military base ‘surrounded by reindeer and submarines’, Halyna had recently wrapped on a project in Ireland and was tipped for a bright future in Hollywood when her life was so tragically cut short. Pictured, in 2018
Her social media profiles also paint a clear image of a free-spirited, much-loved friend, many of whom have been paying tribute. Pictured, a touching post by close friend Stephanie
Remembered by friends as a ‘kind’ and ‘loving soul’, Halyna lived in Venice Beach, California, with her husband Matthew, a lawyer, and their son Andros, known affectionately as her ‘little man’ and thought to be around nine years old.
‘Halyna loved him so much and enjoyed watching him grow into the handsome boy he is today,’ one friend wrote in a moving Instagram tribute. ‘I know she is looking after him and Matt in this horribly scary time.’
Social media photos capture a playfulness and sense of adventure, with Halloween costume parties, road trips with friends and days out exploring all lit up by Halyna’s smile.
She was also highly regarded by her peers and had been tipped as a ‘rising star’ by other cinematographers. ‘She was somebody who was absolutely dedicated to art and integrity,’ director, colleague and friend Adam Mortimer told GMB this morning. ‘I can tell already she was going to be a genius.’
Halya (right) on a visit back to Kiev in December 2018. She was raised on a military base in the country and later attended the National University of Kyiv, studying International Journalism
Baldwin, 62, was filming a scene for new film Rust when the gun went off around 1.50pm, fatally wounding Hutchins and leaving writer-director Joel Souza, 48, injured. The incident took place at Bonanza Creek Ranch.
Hutchins was rushed to the University of New Mexico Hospital in an air ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time after.
Souza was taken by ambulance to the Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center. He has since been released although his exact condition is unclear.
Will Stewart, Daily Mail’s Moscow correspondent, told how Halyna had worked for him in the mid-2000s.
‘This is devastating and incomprehensible news about the death of Halyna Hutchins. She worked for my news agency from Kyiv for several years in the mid-2000s after graduating from a local university in International Journalism.
‘Halyna was involved in many stories for British newspapers and magazines, but she showed a special talent for documentaries, perhaps her first taste of film in which she went on to be so successful in America.
‘At this time while she was with us, in 2006, she was Associate Producer on a documentary for Discovery Channel on Ukrainian icon Leonid Stadnyk called World’s Tallest Man, made by British company Wild Pictures.
‘She was instrumental in Mr Stadnyk feeling at ease taking part in the documentary which focused on the problems of being exceptionally tall.
‘The film, made by leading British director Richard Denton, with former BBC Head of Documentaries Paul Hamann as executive producer, would not have happened without her.
‘Mr Stadnyk, a shy man, trusted Halyna after refusing many other film offers, and thanked her afterwards.
‘Pictures ahead of the film shows him towering over Halyna at his home in the village of Podoliantsy.
‘She later went to the US with her husband Matt and accomplished great things through her huge talent and creativity but also her relentless determination to study and learn.
‘She once told my Russian colleagues that she felt she was a perpetual student in America, but her efforts paid off and she achieved the success she thoroughly deserved.
‘It is tragic that she died in such a cruel and inexplicable way while doing the job she so loved.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and their son, and Halyna’s family in Ukraine.’
Richard Denton, the producer behind Shakespeare Uncovered and many films in the former USSR, said today: ‘Halyna was the most wonderful, vital, lively and positive person to work with.
‘She was friendly and enormously helpful. She handled everything from translating interviews to making Leonid’s horse move in the right direction.
‘She was completely unpretentious and incredibly professional.’
Her death was ‘senseless and stupid.’
Some of Sunday’s vigil participants saw Hutchins’ passing as a warning to the film industry of the dangers stage and set workers face while at work every day.
‘I hope this will bring real change,’ said actress Jennifer Jernigan.
‘You are completely vulnerable when on set,’ she said.
The ‘Rust’ production company issued a statement Thursday saying, ‘The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones.’
‘We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation. We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.’
Their father, Anatoly Androsovych, told the Scottish Sun that he is working on arranging a trip for he and his wife, Olga, and Svetlana, to fly to the United States to spend time with their grieving grandson and nephew.
Androsovych added that he blamed the prop department – and not Baldwin – for Hutchins’ death, before revealing that it will be her husband, Matthew, who will decide whether or not to press charges in relation to her tragic workplace passing.
Court records show that Dave Halls, an assistant director, handed a prop gun off of a cart to Baldwin, falsely telling him that the handgun did not carry live rounds calling it a ‘cold gun.’
Baldwin then pulled the trigger, accidentally firing the weapon and killing Hutchins while wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin was reportedly ‘hysterical and absolutely inconsolable for hours’ after accidentally shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a movie set Thursday afternoon, with a source claiming he’s now cancelling all other projects.
The 63-year-old actor is looking ‘to take some time to himself and re-center himself’ after he was spotted walking out of a hotel and embracing Hutchins’ husband Matt on Saturday morning, just two days after the fatal stunt. He is also said to have been seen hugging Matt and Halyna’s son Andros, 9.
‘This was pretty devastating,’ the source told People magazine.
‘This is how he handles difficult times. Whenever something bad happens, in the short term, he removes himself from [the] public eye.’
Baldwin and Matthew Hutchins left a Santa Fe Hotel together with Hutchins’ son Andros on Saturday morning, just five days after Baldwin killed Hutchins with a prop gun that was loaded on the set of the movie Rust, detectives say.
The 63-year-old actor and producer of the film where Hutchins was killed has since called the incident a ‘tragic accident.’
Wynema Chavez Quintana (2nd L) holds a sign calling for better safety on movie sets during a vigil held to honor Halyna Hutchins at Albuquerque Civic Plaza on October 23 in Albuquerque
Locals and members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins, who died after being shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie ‘Rust’ at a vigil in Albuquerque on Saturday
The 63-year-old actor and producer of the film where Hutchins was killed has since called the incident a ‘tragic accident’
‘I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family,’ Baldwin tweeted
Fellow crew members say armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (pictured) was a ‘inexperienced’ and ‘a bit careless with guns’. They allege the 24-year-old had a history of reckless before with weaponry
‘There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours,” Baldwin wrote on his Twitter page Friday morning.
‘I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son and all who knew and loved Haylna.’
Baldwin was sighted as it emerged the movie’s assistant director Dave Hall allegedly broke gun safety protocols on the set of 2019 Hulu show Into The Dark. He is said to have ignored a rule stipulating that all guns, real or fake, should have their presence announced on set in order to ensure proper safety procedures are followed.
Hall was further accused of holding short gun safety meetings, and remarking that they seemed pointless, because the same procedures were followed on all other motive sets.
Meanwhile, the young armorer who was responsible for the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Alec Baldwin new film Rust has been careless with weapons in the past, sources allege.
A source who worked alongside Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, on an previous film set said she has a history of recklessness around guns.
‘She was a bit careless with the guns, waving it around every now and again,’ the source told The Daily Beast. ‘There were a couple times she was loading the blanks and doing it in a fashion that we thought was unsafe.’
Another source accused Gutierrez-Reed of loading a weapon on the pebble-filled ground and handing it to child actress, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 11, without conducting a proper inspection.
‘She was reloading the gun on the ground, where there were pebbles and stuff. We didn’t see her check it, we didn’t know if something got in the barrel or not,’ a source who worked with her set of the upcoming Nicolas Cage film, The Old Way, said.
The individual noted that the crew waited to film until Gutierrez-Reed had double checked the barrel for obstruction.
Gun that went off in Alec Baldwin’s hands and claimed the life of Halyna Hutchins was used for off-set target practice by crew members and live ammo and blanks were stored together, sources say
Alec Baldwin was wielding a vintage Colt pistol when it accidentally went off. It is not known who loaded the weapon and why it went off as a replacement crew was brought in the day of the incident (The gun pictured above is a vintage Colt pistol manufactured between 1873-92. While the exact model of the gun used is unknown, Rust is set in the 1880s)
The gun that killed the cinematographer on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Rust had been used for target practice by crew members, sources linked to the western film’s production said.
Multiple sources connected to the set of Rust told TMZ that the same Colt pistol that went off in Alec Baldwin’s hands, killing Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza, had been used recreationally by crew members.
The sources claim that some crew members would go off for target practice using real bullets, and some believe a live round from those practice sessions found its way onto the set.
Another source told TMZ that live ammo and blanks were being stored in the same area on set, offering another possible explanation as to how a bullet was fired from Baldwin’s Colt.
A search warrant released Friday said that Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, had laid out three prop guns on a cart outside the filming location, and first assistant director Dave Halls grabbed the Colt from the cart and brought it inside to Baldwin, unaware that it was loaded with live rounds.
‘Cold gun!’ shouted Halls before handing the gun to Baldwin, using the phrase to signal to cast and crew that the gun was safe to fire for the scene, the warrant said.
Seconds later, filming a scene inside an Old West-style church, Baldwin apparently aimed towards the camera and pulled the trigger, accidentally killing Hutchins as she filmed him, and injuring Souza, who stood behind her.
Two production sources who previously worked with Gutierrez-Reed said this was not the first time she was involved in an incident on a movie set.
The two sources told The Daily Beast that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had allegedly given an 11-year-old actress a gun without checking it properly while on the set of the Nicholas Cage film, The Old Way.
‘There were a couple times she was loading the blanks and doing it in a fashion that we thought was unsafe,’ one of the sources said.
Sources on the set of Rust said the incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins could be tied to the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
‘She was a bit careless with the guns, waving it around every now and again.’
Sources on the Rust set have said the fatal incident that killed Hutchins, 42, and injured Souza, 48, was a result of production failings from top to bottom.
They added that assistant director Halls, who handed the gun to Baldwin and told him it was safe, should have checked the weapon.
‘He’s supposed to be our last line of defense and he failed us,’ one of the sources on set said. ‘He’s the last person that’s supposed to look at that firearm.’
A Rust production source told The Daily Beast that there were at least two previous incidents of guns being accidentally discharged by other crewmember on set before Thursday’s tragic incident.
The source described Gutierrez-Reed as ‘inexperienced and green.’
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