Halyna Hutchins' friends and family are mourning her death after the cinematographer was killed on the set ofRust.
The IATSE Local 44 email contradicts an earlier report that the gun Baldwin was using on set contained blanks. On Thursday, a spokesperson for Baldwintold PEOPLE"there was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks."
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In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Hutchins' team remembered her as “a ray of light” who was “always smiling” and “always hopeful.”
Halyna Hutchins.Mat Hayward/Getty
Screenwriter and director Lauren Ciaravalli paid tribute to her colleague onInstagram, calling Hutchins “a visionary artist, incredible mother and wife, brilliant collaborator, generous friend and one of the most spirited, committed and talented creatives I’ve been blessed enough to work with.”
Ciaravalli, who worked with Hutchins on multiple projects, said the cinematographer was a natural fit forRust, her latest film.
“Of course she booked a Western likeRustbecause she had a cowgirl spirit, embracing and relishing challenges with a love for her craft and community,” Ciaravalli wrote, remembering her colleague for her kind words and gentle nature.
“She was often alone in close quarters with talent, both camera operating and DPing, and would gently sweep a leading lady’s hair to the side, before making HMU struggle to get in there for a last look. She would add a sweet comment like, ‘Your neckline looks so gorgeous,’ as she did it, giving talent both comfort and a confidence boost right before the take,” she wrote.
Ciaravalli closed out her message with a call for action: “Let us all do our jobs with the heart, care, attention, respect, smarts, and carefulness that Halyna brought to set. We should never lose a life on a film set, especially not like this.”
Frances Fisher, an actress working onRustwith Hutchins, said she loved watching the cinematographer at work, writing onInstagramthat she admired Hutchins' “intense focus” and “vibrant command of the room.”
Mazena Puksto, a makeup artist who had worked with Hutcins, shared photos of herself and the cinematographer on Instagram, writing, “Last nights horrifying news shook everyone to the bones. I can’t believe it. Halyna, You were an inspiration for so many women and men.This freak accident on set is infuriating. My heart goes out to your family, especially the little one ❤️”
Filmmaker Elle Schneider shared her own tribute onTwitter, writing, “Sick and devastated to hear that my friend and rockstar cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set today in New Mexico. I don’t have words to describe this tragedy. I want answers. I want her family to somehow find peace among this horrific, horrific loss.”
Yana Nestoliy, Hutchins' friend from college, told theNew York Timesthe young filmmaker was destined for a memorable career.
“She could have been among the top Hollywood stars on camera, not behind it,” she said.
Director Joel Souza, 48, was also shot and sent to the hospital for his injuries. He was released Friday morning.
source: people.com
