New information has come out about actor Dylan O’Brien‘s accident that took place years ago on the set of “Maze Runner: The Death Cure.” In addition, we will be taking a look at the “Rust” movie set shooting. Actors are something we all interact with by seeing movies and TV shows, they bring us so much joy and entertainment. Crew members are what make it possible. The safety of actors and crew members is something we will be taking a look at.
O’Brien’s severe injury on “Maze Runner: The Death Cure”
When O’Brien did a stunt on set, a vehicle tugged him and then another vehicle hit him. His injuries included “… a concussion, facial fracture, and brain trauma ….” This incident took place in 2016 Vulture reported.
O’Brien recently talked more about what happened on the day the accident occurred. According to Men’s Health, O’Brien was vocal about his concerns and met with dismissal. The now 33-year-old was 24 when the accident took place. O’Brien discussed that you need to be there for you. He also mentioned that in this industry, controlling actors who are young is typical. They do this by saying things like, “… Oh, don’t become difficult ….” According to Men’s Health, the following are some of what O’Brien said during his interview:
“I learned after the accident to not conflate taking care of yourself and looking after yourself. Don’t let them manipulate you into thinking that is being difficult, because I can look at that day and know I was a 24-year-old kid who was raising concerns about how we were approaching things, and they were not listened to, they were not respected. And then what happened happened,” O’Brien said.
“Rust” movie death and injury
There have been other instances of injuries and death on movie sets. Crew members have also had injuries or worse on sets. An example that has been on the news in recent years is the shooting on the set of “Rust.” Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died when shot on this movie set. Additionally, the director, Joel Souza, survived when shot on the same set.
According to NPR, there were incidents that occurred on set before the shooting took place. There was little to nothing done regarding the previous incidents, which include two occurrences of a gun that was misfired, firing blanks. “Rust Movie Productions” was fined by “New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau.” To add, the crew complained about the safety of guns on set. The complaints brought up weren’t listened to.
Furthermore, according to NPR, “Rust Movie Productions responded in its filing by saying that misfires prior to the fatal shooting of Hutchins did not violate safety protocols and that ‘appropriate corrective actions were taken, including briefings of cast and crew.'” It was also said that, “‘ In fact, a safety meeting was held the morning of the incident,’ the company said.”
Neither movie set listened to the concerns of the actor, in O’Brien’s case, or the crew, on the set of “Rust.”
Relating this to NCC and additional information
NCC students should discuss any concerns about the production environment with faculty or staff members. This is what Dr. John Warrick, a NCC Professor of Theatre, Coordinator of Directing and Dramaturgy said. Additionally, there’s a deputy involved in NCC’s productions. The deputy is a student peer instead of a faculty member or staff member. The reason for this is so students feel comfortable when they discuss something that they are concerned about.
“The industry has also developed in the past few years to improve upon working conditions that can impact the general wellbeing and psychological health of actors as well, and here in the Department of Theatre we have collectively endeavored to pick up with these industry standards particularly,” Warrick said.
Additionally, Warrick mentioned that the process is continuous for safety and that industry safety standards constantly change. The actors who spoke up about their working conditions have led to changes made.
There’s a union called the Actors’ Equity Association, on their website they have information about safety for live shows as well as other information.
All in all, O’Brien spoke up about his concerns but no one listened to him, then he got a severe injury. An actor’s or crew member’s concerns need acknowledgment and action, as one can see that worst-case scenarios have come to life one too many times. Everyone should be safe and feel safe at their job. But unfortunately, these instances of injury and death still happen to this day. As Warrick stated, actors who have spoken up led to changes. Safety standards are always changing to improve the safety of actors, the process is continuous.
