LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As Rachel Mason turns the pages of Halyna Hutchins’ old notebook, filled with camera setups and lighting notes, she doesn’t just see a cinematographer at work; she sees the soul of a close friend.

What You Need To Know

  • "Rust" is being released nearly four years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set

  • Rachel Mason, Hutchins’ close friend, directed a Hulu documentary about her life and legacy

  • The film credits Hutchins’ widower as an executive producer

  • Legal fallout continues, with Alec Baldwin’s civil trial expected later this year

“I can’t think of anyone that she didn’t make a big impression on,” Mason said. “She was so filled with joy and excitement and enthusiasm for the smallest things.”

Hutchins was 42 years old when she was killed on the set of ‘Rust’ in 2021, after a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged during rehearsal. The tragedy stunned the industry and sparked years of legal battles, union calls for stronger on-set protocols, and widespread debate over accountability.

For Mason, the aftermath became deeply personal.

At the request of Hutchins’ widower, she directed “The Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna Hutchins,” a Hulu documentary chronicling the final days of her friend’s life.

“When he asked me to do it, it didn’t seem real until I started to see her splashed across headlines,” Mason said. “She cannot be thought of as Alec Baldwin’s gunshot victim. That’s not okay. That’s not who she was.”

Mason said one significant takeaway from retracing Hutchins’ time on set was the issues in the communication. She said having stronger communication protocols on sets could reduce the occurrence of tragedies like this one.  

“Rust” is being released, with Hutchins’ widower credited as an executive producer. Some have questioned the decision to release the film, but Mason says it honors Hutchins’ artistic legacy.

“I recognize that Halyna, as an artist, chose this film,” she said. “I would trade this film and every film for her life, I have so much admiration and respect for every single person that finished this film,” Mason said, noting how hard it was for the crew to return to making the film.  

Entertainment attorney and journalist Jonathan Handel notes that while “Rust” may not make a significant box office impact, its legacy will endure, particularly in legal and labor circles.

“The real question is, did we learn anything that sticks and anything that changes behavior? And you have to hope at least some people are attentive to what has happened and redouble their efforts to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “This industry has a very long and troubled history of believing in the fantasy of cinematic immunity.”

Handel also said Hollywood’s current production decline may only add to the on-set safety issues. 

“It’s a dangerous business and sometimes incidents like this will recur at some point. All this against a backdrop of an industry that’s very economically troubled and is losing personnel as a result of that. Losing the experienced personnel,” he said.

As “Rust” makes its way to theaters and streaming, Mason says it’s not just about a film, it’s about finally giving Hutchins the recognition she deserved.

“I watched the film. It’s super painful to watch, but it is also so beautiful,” she said. “And I am so grateful that it came out.”