Alice Brooks: Last News

Dozens of Hollywood’s most prominent cinematographers banded together today to put a thoughtful argument behind a simple plea: “ban all functional firearms on set.”

A little more than a week ago, it was revealed that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed during an accidental firearm discharge on the set of “Rust.” Since that news came out, we’ve seen Hollywood figures react in horror, with some asking for immediate change to happen to ensure this sort of situation doesn’t happen again. Well, it appears a number of cinematographers have decided to take matters into their own hands and write an open letter (via Variety) calling for the complete ban of functional firearms on the sets of TV shows and films.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorRachel Morrison (“Mudbound”), Ed Lachman (“Carol”), Alice Brooks (“In the Heights”) and Stephen Lighthill, president of the American Society of Cinematographers, are among the cinematographer calling for a ban of functional firearms on set.The open letter for support to ban guns on film sets comes following the death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after actor and producer Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun on set. They described Hutchins’ death as “senseless, negligent and avoidable.”The letter called for immediate support and action, not just from union leadership, but from producers and lawmakers “to affect unified change on our behalf ban all functional firearms on set.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorWhile filming Jon M. Chu’s “In the Heights” (out in theaters and HBO Max on Friday) cinematographer Alice Brooks fell in love with “the people, the smells, the sounds and the taste of Washington Heights.”That relationship is captured through her framing of the film.