A second camera assistant, Sarah Jones, was killed last week while working on the Greg Allman biopic “Midnight Rider”. She was run over by a train; the company did not have permission to be where they were and the director and producer will likely be held accountable. Story here.
I work in production in film and television. I have a little bit of insight because of that. The company had previously asked CSX for permission to shoot on the tracks, and they were denied, but went ahead and did it anyway. This is a classic case of “ask for forgiveness”, which is a common trait for production.
The director, Randall Miller, and the Unit Production Manager, Jay Sedrish, should both serve time for this completely avoidable tragedy.
Anyone who reads this will know who Sarah Jones is during the Academy Awards telecast - she will be referenced to on both the red carpet and during acceptance speeches. Facebook page “Slates for Sarah”
Apparently, two trains were already in the area and no one expected the third to be coming. Why they didm’t have flaggers with radios both down and up the tracks (at LEAST a mile) from the filming location is something that will probably be discussed at the trial. Also, with CGI being exceptionally cheap these days, risking crew members for a shot which you could render will also be something that will be asked.
Very careless and very unprofessional filmmaking from the sound of things. This is why people get killed on film sets.
The tracks where they were shooting were on an elevated trestle. The only way off was to jump into the Altamaha River below, and it’s a long way down.
This completely avoidable tragedy is local to me, so I see many updates on the news. I’m glad to say that the Wayne County sheriff is treating it as a homicide, and that OSHA is also involved.
I was going to suggest that it’s noteworthy because there have been two deaths, but apparently I misread the OP. The correct term appears to be “second assistant camera,” though.
Variety is most certainly not a rag. It, along with The Hollywood Reporter, are the main sources of news for industry goings on - what deals are happening, financial prospectuses and reports, etc.
It’s also news because a young woman died needlessly. The unit production manager apparently knew that, while he had permission from Rayonier to film on the company’s property adjacent to the Doctortown trestle, he most certainly did not have permission from CSX to trespass on the trestle itself. Nor did he take even the most basic precaution of stationing people farther down the tracks to radio ahead in case of a train. At best, it sounds like negligent homicide.
No problem. Apologies for snapping at you.
This is a death that hits very close to home. Check out the Facebook link from the op - you’ll see tributes to Sarah from around the globe.
Ah, thank you - I misread it the same way, and thought, “Dude, after the first death, you’d think they’d figure these things out.” Thank you kindly for the clarification.
Seriously? This isn’t just “somebody working in the field,” this is someone who died in a needless fashion due to negligence by people in charge. Seems like the kind of thing that’s eminently pittable to me.
There are more details in a story linked to in the OP’s link. The train blew its whistle a minute before reaching the bridge. Everyone got off the tracks onto a path next to the tracks, but a bed put there for the shot was still there, and fragments from that were what killed the poor woman.
In this story someone from the production is quoted basically saying that if CSX says they didn’t have permission they are lying - we know how true that is.
I’ve been to a shoot on train tracks. The company knew exactly when the next train was coming, they had permission, and there were plenty of places to run if necessary.
Does the insurance cover problems from trespassing?