‘Rust’ tragedy in mind, Directors Guild launches committee to buckle down on safety measures

The Bonanza Creek Ranch one day after an incident left one crew member dead and another injured in Santa Fe, N.M. The Directors Guild of America said it is taking a tougher stance on film set safety in the wake of the “Rust” tragedy, forming a new committee that will recommend and advance various safety measures. “I support any and all measures that can improve the safety and working conditions for all craftspeople and applaud the desire to remain accountable and improve upon best practices already in place.” Ainsworth was among DGA members who took to Facebook to share their consternation after the “Rust” shooting, noting reports that the movie’s assistant director Dave Halls had been fired in 2019 from a film production called “Freedom’s Path” after a crew member was injured by an accidental firearm discharge. His attorney has disputed that he was fired from “Freedom’s Path.” In a rare move last month, the DGA told its members to stop work on a new horror movie backed by one of the producers of “Rust,” Thomasville Pictures, citing safety concerns. “ While the ‘Rust’ tragedy involved a shooting, our safety concerns extend far beyond firearms; entertainment workers are regularly exposed to explosions, vehicles, aircraft, falling objects, dangerous animals or countless other hazardous environments.” The Motion Picture Association supports a more narrowly-focused bill, SB 829, introduced in January from state Sen. Anthony Portantino.