The “rust” tragedy was not an accident, it was a warning – the opinion

Becky Morrison is The CEO of The Light Production Company. She is a lawyer for changing the industry, with emphasis on creating healthy environments on the set.

“Last taking: Rust and Hanyna’s story” is now transmitted on Hulu. His death Hayna Hutchins was a single tragedy, but the conditions that led to it were anything but unique. Ignoring the well -being of the crew, prioritizing budgets and programs on safety and pushing people beyond their limits happens every day.

As an industry, we must not fully recognize the pervasivity of uncertain working conditions, because we have normalized the idea that suffering is an essential part of the film. Our “fighting” rooms have names such as rocket, weapon and arsenal. We use terms like “Run n ‘Gun”, “Lock Up” and “Shoot”. Our toxic culture culture that suffers as “payment of taxes”.

We do not only accept self-sacrifice-we glorify it.

Data support this. In a 2024 survey by IPC79 percent of film The workers reported that they were injured in the workplace, and 69 percent considered that the creative vision was a priority on safety. In a study by the UK movie and TV charity77 percent of the respondents said that the film and television industry is an unhealthy place from a mental point of view to work a 30 percent shocking, considering to take their own life in the last year.

These are not just statistics, but they are people. However, since most of the struggles do not end in the public tragedy, they rarely make titles.

But there is hope. A movement for change is increasing. Documentaries such as “The Last Take: Rust and the Story of Hanyna” and “Safe Sets: I die in the film industry” arouse conversations and draw a long attention to the realities to work behind the scenes. Several productions actively prioritize well -being, proving that a better way is possible.

The most effective way to create safe and durable sets is to build well -being in the production process, rather than react when things are not going well. Here are some ways to start:

• Mental health resources:
  • Productions can establish dedicated well-being roles with trained professionals incorporated into a crew support project and to proactive mental health, burning and interpersonal challenges before climbing.
• Reporting mechanisms:
  • Only 7 percent of industry workers feel safe reporting problems, without fear of reprisals. Anonymous reporting channels allow workers to speak without risking their jobs.
• Standards at industry level:
  • Creating safer productions requires a unified approach. The producers, directors and department heads must align the best practices and define the roles that will make safety and well -being in each set.

You could ask yourself: “How can we do more when the budgets and the calendar are already extended to the limit?” Because the best work does not come from exhaustion and fear. It comes from safe and creative environments, in which people feel free to bring their best ideas on the table.

When people experience a culture of confidence at work, they report a 76 percent increase of involvement and a 50 percent impulse of productivity. A study by Google found that high psychological safety in teams leads to 31 % more innovation. The prioritization of safety does not only protect people, but raises the work itself.

Rachel Mason, the director “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Hanyna”, ” said“Every thing had to happen as it did to have this result.” But if the result were different? What happens if the bullet had missed? Would have known anyone else but the crew of weak working conditions Rust? How many other productions did they approach the tragedy without the public ever heard about it?

It is more about a feature film – it is about production culture. The success of a manufacturer cannot be measured only in lower prizes and lines. It must also include the well -being of people who bring these stories to life. If the cost of a project is that people are injured, can it ever be a success?

A true change of culture will require action from those in power who have established the tone of the way the productions work. By engaging with sets that focus humanity, where people feel energized, appreciated and fulfilled, we do more than to improve our individual productions. We increase the standard for how big the work is done.

Additional resources:

Movie from the UK + Charity TV | The set of tool for whole images

Safe Sets Resources

IPC guides best practices