If it hasn't already been said, some support for Alec Baldwin as we know

[wnylib]

161. He might not have had those specific duties.

He was just one producer among others on the project, The responsibilities for various aspects would have been split among them according to their areas of expertise.

I do not know exactly what happened any more than you do. But, one possible scenario that is not unusual in movies is that someone gets an idea to do a particular film, but lacks money. He/she makes several contacts to drum up interest and financial contributions. These contacts hash out ideas and it occurs to them that drawing in a big name increases chances of more people willing to invest in the project.

So they contact Baldwin to offer the starring role. He thinks it has possibilities but needs some script changes and wants a say in making them and in who will play some of the roles. They agree because it means getting him and getting more financial backing due to his name. He agrees to invest funds in it, too, since he believes that his changes make the film more likely to succeed.

So they include his name as one of the producers, but his production contributions and responsibility areas are limited to script reviews and changes, getting some actors in certain roles, and chipping in some of the money. He might suggest someone to do the actual filming, based on his experience and contacts. But his expertise is in the artistic side - acting, script and story development. Also, as the lead actor, he will be too busy to get involved in the practical side of production.

So the practical side is handled, as usual, by the production company that asked Baldwin to be in the film. They do the hiring of directors, film crew, actors, and various props departments like wardrobe, makeup, and the person who handles the weapons and ammunition. The production company makes decisions about handing safety complaints, employee walkoffs and hiring replacements. That is not Baldwin's area of expertise, so he does not get involved in it.

I do not know if that is exactly how it happened. It is just a likely scenario based on some of the known facts and on how film production operates. We know, for example, that it was a low budget film. We know that it is the production companies that do the staff hirings, firings, and replacements of people on the sets. We also know that production companies try to boost financial investment through the use of big name stars and that they offer stars some control over the creative process in writing and acting in order to persuade them to take the lead role and to invest some money in the film. In return, the lead actor gets billing as one of the producers for his artistic contributions. We know, if the reports are accurate, that Baldwon contributed some of the money for the film.

I doubt that Baldwin was involved in the hiring of replacements for employees who walked off the set, or in the hiring or supervision of Gutierez, who handled the arms and ammunition. But, since Baldwin was one of the financial contributors, is listed as one of the producers, and is the one who fired the gun, it is very likely that he will be named in civil suits.