# Midnight Rider **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 27, 2014, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396 "2014-02-27T08:05:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/41 "2014-03-07T06:15:38Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Hey. A slight hijack because, well, its needed. > > You do the work. You take the risks. You do the living and the dying in that town, not some gold-encrusted smirking Asshat in $1000 Itallian shoes. They take every credit, with names in 24 point font > while you’re lucky to even be mentioned as part of a team. But… > > Every good movie out there… every one… had you or a counter part in it somewhere. > > _ **Thank You!** _ > > Ellen DeGeneres may never order you pizza, but somebody ought to thank you. > If no one higher up or better respected will thank you and it falls down this far to reach the likes of me, then I’LL thank you. Every Damn One Of You! > > [/hijack] Thank you very much!! As an aside, my own job is somewhat where the rubber meets the road, as my responsibilities involves the behind the scenes work of interacting with the public wherever we work. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/42 "2014-07-03T21:23:39Z")
A grand jury indicted “Midnight Rider” director Randall Miller, his film partner and wife, Jody Savin, and executive producer Jay Sedrish on involuntary manslaughter charges nearly five months after a camera operator was killed and six other crew members were injured during production. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-usa-georgia-state-crash-20140703,0,7407886.story](http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-usa-georgia-state-crash-20140703,0,7407886.story) What will they get? A fine, suspended sentence? ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/43 "2014-07-04T05:06:30Z")
Thank you **PastTense** for the update. Possibility of 10 years in jail – maybe doing 2 years with the rest probation. I expect there will be a fine, however I don’t know how much is allowed, so I have no way to guess on the amount. Ms. Jones’ parents have filed a civil suit that includes Allman as well as Miller, Savin & Sedrish. I will be very interested in the outcome of that. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/44 "2014-07-05T09:48:22Z")
…I discovered today that Randall Miller is a prick. A horrible human being. I hope he googles his name. In April, Gregg Allman, the guy they were making the movie about sent this open letter to Miller which included this part: > [@](#): > > “Your desires as a film-maker should not outweigh your obligations as a human being. I am asking you to do the right thing and to set aside your attempts to resume the production out of respect for Sarah, her family and the loss that all of us feel so deeply.” > **[Gregg Allman calls for film about him to be stopped after death on set](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/28/gregg-allman-calls-for-biopic-to-stop)** > > The veteran rocker appeals to director Randall Miller to 'do the right thing' out of respect for camera assistant Sarah Jones, writes Ben Child The directors response (via his lawyer): > [@](#): > > “Just because the going gets rough, just because it gets inconvenient, that doesn’t mean Mr Allman can pick up his marbles and go home,” he said. > **[Gregg Allman biopic director: I almost died in Midnight Rider film-set accident](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/13/gregg-allman-biopic-director-randall-miller-nearly-died-midnight-rider)** > > Randall Miller rejects claim that a cavalier attitude led to death of camera assistant on Georgia railway track, writes Ben Child Inconvenient. Unbelievable. Throw the bastard in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/45 "2014-07-15T00:34:05Z")
Things have become more inconvenient: [Miller and Savin turn selves in to police](http://www.wtoc.com/story/26016225/director-producer-of-midnight-rider-surrender-to-police). The article doesn’t say so, but I assume both have already posted bond and have been released from jail. Sedrish is expected to surrender this week. I hope there’s prison time. I wouldn’t be surprised if none is forthcoming, but I hope. And I also hope that Gregg Allman is found not liable for the civil penalties - he’s not the one who made the dunderheaded call to trespass and shoot in such an irresponsible fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/46 "2014-07-15T05:40:27Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I discovered today that Randall Miller is a prick. A horrible human being. I hope he googles his name. > > In April, Gregg Allman, the guy they were making the movie about sent this open letter to Miller which included this part: > > [Gregg Allman calls for film about him to be stopped after death on set | Midnight Rider | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/28/gregg-allman-calls-for-biopic-to-stop) > > The directors response (via his lawyer): > > [Gregg Allman biopic director: I almost died in Midnight Rider film-set accident | Midnight Rider | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/13/gregg-allman-biopic-director-randall-miller-nearly-died-midnight-rider) > > Inconvenient. Unbelievable. Throw the bastard in jail. Wow! What a prick! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/47 "2014-07-15T05:45:41Z")
There were more diplomatic ways he could have responded, but is there something ultimately wrong with finishing the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/48 "2014-07-15T07:03:24Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > There were more diplomatic ways he could have responded, but is there something ultimately wrong with finishing the movie? Even if Miller’s indifference to the safety of his crew caused no further incidents, I would still not want him to have any opportunity to mend his reputation by getting credit for making the film, or by portraying the incident in a less negative light. I also would not want him trading on my good name now that he has proven himself unworthy of trust. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/49 "2014-07-15T07:55:29Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Even if Miller’s indifference to the safety of his crew caused no further incidents, I would still not want him to have any opportunity to mend his reputation by getting credit for making the film, or by portraying the incident in a less negative light. I also would not want him trading on my good name now that he has proven himself unworthy of trust. Agreed. And yeah, Gregg Allman looks like a pumpkin. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/50 "2014-07-15T14:08:18Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I discovered today that Randall Miller is a prick. A horrible human being. I hope he googles his name. > > In April, Gregg Allman, the guy they were making the movie about sent this open letter to Miller which included this part: > > > [@](#): > > > > “Your desires as a film-maker should not outweigh your obligations as a human being. I am asking you to do the right thing and to set aside your attempts to resume the production out of respect for Sarah, her family and the loss that all of us feel so deeply.” > > [Gregg Allman calls for film about him to be stopped after death on set | Midnight Rider | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/28/gregg-allman-calls-for-biopic-to-stop) > > The directors response (via his lawyer): > > > [@](#): > > > > “Just because the going gets rough, just because it gets inconvenient, that doesn’t mean Mr Allman can pick up his marbles and go home,” he said. > > [Gregg Allman biopic director: I almost died in Midnight Rider film-set accident | Midnight Rider | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/13/gregg-allman-biopic-director-randall-miller-nearly-died-midnight-rider) > > Inconvenient. Unbelievable. Throw the bastard in jail. When you make Gregg Allman look like the reasonable, respectful one, you know you’re doing it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/51 "2014-11-02T01:58:25Z")
Train’s Surveillance Video of Fatal Film Crash Surfaces [https://gma.yahoo.com/video/train-39-surveillance-video-fatal-143723682.html](https://gma.yahoo.com/video/train-39-surveillance-video-fatal-143723682.html) ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/52 "2014-11-02T02:03:36Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > Train’s Surveillance Video of Fatal Film Crash Surfaces > > [https://gma.yahoo.com/video/train-39-surveillance-video-fatal-143723682.html](https://gma.yahoo.com/video/train-39-surveillance-video-fatal-143723682.html) Ghoul. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/53 "2014-11-02T03:21:17Z")
> [@Batfish](#): > > Ghoul. This is out of line. A link providing new evidence is germaine to the discussion and necessary so that everyone participating meaningfully has all the available information. There’s nothing ghoulish about the Good Morning America clip in the link (AFAIK they are not a program known for airing graphic videos), nor is there anything ghoulish about wanting to know more about what exactly happened on those tracks. ---
**Author:** ![JesterX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@JesterX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JesterX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/54 "2014-11-02T04:50:41Z")
So when a production gets permission to film at a certain location, there’s no written agreement drawn up? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/55 "2014-11-02T06:41:54Z")
> [@JesterX](#): > > So when a production gets permission to film at a certain location, there’s no written agreement drawn up? There’s ALWAYS a written agreement. They would have to bring a mountain of evidence showing why they thought what they claim they thought, and even then it’s difficult to imagine a jury buying it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/56 "2014-11-02T16:59:38Z")
> [@JesterX](#): > > So when a production gets permission to film at a certain location, there’s no written agreement drawn up? Ah, contracts. This can be a torturous thing. Once a location has been approved by a production (usually the production designer approves first, then the director), the negotiation begins between the property owner and the location manager. One of the first questions is if the property owner will accept the production company’s contract. If the property owner prefers to use their own agreement, that agreement gets reviewed by the production company’s attorneys and risk management department. I would almost guarantee that CSX would demand that their agreement be used for filming. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/57 "2014-11-02T20:04:01Z")
“20/20” aired a story about this on Friday night. They had clips from the civil trial in which Gregg Allman sued to stop the picture. During examination by the plaintiff’s attorney, Miller was asked three different times about whether he got permission to film on the trestle and what steps he took to ensure the safety of the crew. Each time he answered, “It wasn’t my job.” What a world-class douche. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/58 "2014-11-02T20:16:22Z")
[Apparently](http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2014/10/gregg-allman-dropped-from-lawsuit-in-camera.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+industry_20+%28Industry+Commercial+Real+Estate%29)Sarah Jones’s parents have dropped Gregg Allman from the lawsuit, along with the film’s executive producer and the film’s distributor. I guess Allman’s suit hasn’t been settled yet? At least I can find nothing about it since it was filed except for **cochrane** ’s reference, above. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/59 "2014-11-02T21:40:00Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > [Apparently](http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2014/10/gregg-allman-dropped-from-lawsuit-in-camera.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+industry_20+%28Industry+Commercial+Real+Estate%29)Sarah Jones’s parents have dropped Gregg Allman from the lawsuit, along with the film’s executive producer and the film’s distributor. I guess Allman’s suit hasn’t been settled yet? At least I can find nothing about it since it was filed except for **cochrane** ’s reference, above. This is a separate lawsuit from the one filed by Gregg Allman against Randall Miller. In the one I referred to, Allman was suing Miller to keep him from resuming production on “Midnight Rider,” citing that the rights to film his story had lapsed since principal filming had not started by the date the rights had run out. [Gregg Allman files suit to block biopic.](http://lazer993.com/news/030030-gregg-allman-files-suit-to-block-biopic/) [And, apparently, Allman has dropped his suit.](http://deadline.com/2014/05/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-gregg-allman-randall-miller-lawsuit-biopic-723300/) ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396/60 "2015-03-08T22:58:49Z")
trial starting Monday. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-rider/682396.md?page=4)