Alec Baldwin shares post defending 'Rust' set conditions

'This is about gun safety, something we could stand to learn more about,' reads the post, defending crew and producers

US actor Alec Baldwin has defended conditions on set of 'Rust' in an Instagram post. AFP

Alec Baldwin has shared a social media post dismissing concerns about safety on the set of Rust. The lengthy post, which was spread across seven posts, was originally written by one of the film's crew members.

The Hollywood actor, 63, accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when a gun he was holding went off during filming in New Mexico on October 21.

A police investigation is under way into the shooting, which also left Rust director Joel Souza injured.

Authorities in Santa Fe are probing how a suspected live round came to be in the firearm, which had been declared safe by an assistant director, according to court documents.

Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

Following the shooting, reports emerged of concerns about safety on the set and the Santa Fe County Sheriff said there had been "some complacency" in how weapons were handled.

However, costume designer Terese Magpale Davis, who said she worked on the film, wrote on social media "the story being spun of us being overworked and surrounded by unsafe, chaotic conditions is not true".

The post, shared by Baldwin on Instagram along with the caption "read this", defended conditions on set following complaints from crew members.

"These producers who supposedly don't care about their crew have worked tirelessly alongside us," the post said.

Baldwin is a producer on Rust as well as the lead actor.

Davis defended the film's weapons expert, amourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who handed the gun to assistant director David Halls before he gave it to Baldwin.

She said: "The armourer had apprenticed to a well-known armourer and had been in the same position on the same type of movie a few months before."

People attend a vigil for late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Addressing reports of misfires on the set before the fatal incident, Davis said they were "accidental discharges, which are more common than you think".

Davis said the crew sometimes had several safety meetings per day, and defended Halls while calling for greater awareness of guns on set.

"This is about gun safety," she wrote. "Something we could all stand to learn a little more about so that we know if we're seeing something a bit off.

"I know that's not as much fun to jump on as vilifying producers. Personal responsibility is the last thing anyone wants to focus on in a tragedy."

The Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where actor Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger on a prop gun while filming 'Rust' killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP Photo

Baldwin spoke publicly about the shooting at the weekend and paid tribute to rising star cinematographer Hutchins, 42.

"She was my friend," Baldwin told photographers in Vermont.

"We were a very, very well-oiled crew shooting a film together and then this horrible event happened."

Baldwin, whose film roles include The Hunt for Red October and Glengarry Glen Ross, called the shooting a "one-in-a-trillion event".

Production on Rust has been halted indefinitely while authorities investigate the shooting.

Prosecutors said it is too early to tell if criminal charges will be brought in the case.

– Additional reporting by PA