S3E6: “Rust Bust Disgust”

We could also call this one “Rust Bust Discussed” since that’s what we’re going to do – update our earlier talk about New Mexico indicting actor/producer Alec Baldwin on manslaughter charges. ALEC BALDWIN, you recall, held the 1880’s prop gun on the set of independent western film “RUST” on October 1, 2012. When the PROP GUN fired during a rehearsal – it had a real bullet inside of it – it killed the film’s DP HALYNA HUTCHINS and wounded director Joel Souza – both on the other side of the camera during the rehearsal. We’ll talk about this tragedy with producer and 1st assistant director DREW BAILEY.

How To Be An Assistant Director

Australian, Drew has worked nearly every job on the production side of the camera. He discovered a passion for AD-ing early on. As Drew describes great AD’s, they’re actually the on-set producer. Drew has applied his considerable behind-the-camera talents to movies like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2, SCOOBY DOO, LAST SAMURAI, BLOOD DIAMONDS and the MATRIX sequels.

Drew and Gil first worked together on SUPERMAN RETURNS (Drew was a second AD on the second unit crew). When Gil returned to Australia to produce the little movie “BUCKLEY’S CHANCE”, he hired Drew. They had a great experience working together and became friendly. Drew’s a great illustration of what it takes to break into and stay in the movie business.

The real secret to Drew’s success? He’s a great people person and a great listener who hears what the people around him actually are saying. Drew also has a knack for doing what he sets out to do.

Drew just finished shooting a feature called THE DEB. It’s actor REBEL WILSON’S directing debut. Our friend ROSS EMERY DP’d what sounds like a terrific upcoming 2024

He tells a fantastic story that answers the question: “who does one have to fuck (in show biz) to get anything done?”

The 5 X 2 Challenge

Also, Drew will step up and take our “5X2” challenge. Here’s the premise: you’re taking a long, long rocket journey across the universe. Alas, the entertainment system has limitations. You can only take with you five movies and two songs.

That means the movies better be great ones that you can bear watching repeatedly… and repeatedly… and repeatedly. Think of the songs as a balm between movie watching.

Rust

Finally, we’ll return to the subject at hand: Rust – and how ineptitude and greed – magnified by prosecutorial wrongheadedness – produced an evolving tragedy.

All death on a movie or TV set should be make believe. Never real. Same goes for all other injuries.

What happened on the set of Rust that day? And why has justice taken such strange twists and turns, seemingly away from actual justice? We’ll get into it!