Rust crew

Alec Baldwin shared an open letter from the cast and crew from the ‘Rust’ film, where they denied poor conditions. Image via Twitter @JOECIOLINOSR

Alec Baldwin shares letter from ‘Rust’ cast and crew defending conditions

Alec Baldwin has shared an open letter from the cast and crew of ‘Rust’ as they defended working conditions on the production.

Rust crew

Alec Baldwin shared an open letter from the cast and crew from the ‘Rust’ film, where they denied poor conditions. Image via Twitter @JOECIOLINOSR

Alec Baldwin has shared an open letter from the cast and crew of Rust defending the production’s working conditions.

The 63-year-old actor was handling a gun on the set of the Western when it discharged a live bullet, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza, and following reports of an unsafe environment, 25 cast and crew members have written a note to share a “more accurate account” of their experiences.

ALSO READ: ‘I didn’t pull the trigger’: Alec Baldwin denies tragic ‘Rust’ shooting [watch]

‘RUST’ CAST AND CREW’S OPEN LETTER

In the letter – which they say was not “sanctioned or influenced in any way by the producers” – the cast and crew said:

“We, the undersigned, believe the public narrative surrounding our workplace tragedy to be inadequate and wish to express a more accurate account of our experience.”

“The descriptions of Rust as a chaotic, dangerous and exploitative workplace are false and distract from what matters the most: the memory of Halyna Hutchins, and the need to find modern alternatives to outdated industry firearm and safety practices.”

The cast and crew noted they are “hurting from the loss of our friend and colleague”, and said Hutchins was “at the heart of our production.”

“Unfortunately, in the film industry, it is common to work on unprofessional or hectic productions to gain experience and credits. Many of us have worked on these types of productions. Rust was not one of them. Rust was professional. We do acknowledge that no set is perfect, and like any production, ‘Rust’ had areas of brilliance and areas that were more challenging,” they continued.

DISGRUNTLED ‘RUST’ CREW DON’T REPRESENT ALL OF THEM

“While we stand firmly with our unions and strongly support the fight for better working conditions across our industry, we do not feel that this set was a representation of the kinds of conditions our unions are fighting against.”

In the letter, the cast and crew said they “are hurting for our friends that have been targeted by the public as they themselves grieve.”

They also noted that while “a few crew members quit prior to the incident, the vast majority” stayed and didn’t feel “the need to protest or quit.”

“We were enjoying our workplace. Those disgruntled few do not represent the viewers of all of us,” they continued.

ALSO READ: ‘Rust’ armourer tells police she barely checked gun before fatal shooting