Safety for Sarah movement

Last updated

The Safety for Sarah movement is a campaign for increased safety in film production, named in memory of Sarah Jones, a camera assistant on Midnight Rider who was killed by a train during filming as a result of unsafe actions by the film's director and producer.

Contents

Train accident

On February 20, 2014, the film crew, under the direction of producer/director Randall Miller, started filming a dream sequence involving William Hurt as Gregg Allman on a heavy metal hospital bed on a live railroad trestle above the Altamaha River. The producers had assured the cast and crew that it was safe to film there. While they were shooting, a CSX freight train, with CSX AC4400CW locomotive #372 leading and C40-8W #7921 trailing, came around a corner at 58 mph (93 km/h; 26 m/s), giving the crew less than a minute to evacuate from the location, a substantial way out onto the trestle. The only escape route was toward the oncoming train. Video of the crew indicates that they were unaware how fast it was approaching; some attempted to remove camera equipment and the metal bed from the trestle. They failed to remove the bed before the train rolled through, and many of the crew were trapped out on the trestle. The train struck and shattered the metal bed, sending shrapnel toward crew members. Fragments struck camera assistant Sarah Jones and propelled her toward the still fast moving train, resulting in her death. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] William Hurt got off the trestle before the train hit the hospital bed. Several other crew members were injured and were taken to hospital. [6]

Tributes

Slates for Sarah

Several film crews began posting slates in tribute to Sarah Jones, starting with the crew of the television show Drop Dead Diva on February 21, 2014, and friends began to post tributes. [7] On February 24, 2014, the Facebook page 'Slates for Sarah' [8] was created to bring these tributes together in one place. With the statement "Sarah Elizabeth Jones, friend and family to so many, made every day awesome. Show your slate love here along with all the good stories of her life", the page went viral with photographs of crew slates from around the world. [9] In less than 24 hours, 'Slates for Sarah' grew to 9,400 likes and included slates from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia , The Vampire Diaries , Glee , Parks and Recreation , Castle , Hawaii Five-O , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Criminal Minds , The Big Bang Theory , Halt and Catch Fire , Elementary , Scandal , Devious Maids , Justified , Downton Abbey , The Crazy Ones , Supernatural , NCIS , Arrow , Bones , and Rectify . [10] In less than a week, the page grew to 63,000 likes and was supportive of the separate successful initiatives to have Jones recognized during the live Oscar telecast [11] and for Oscar winners to wear ribbons on stage in her memory. [12]

Television episodes

The episode "Still" from season 4 of The Walking Dead , the episode "No Exit" from season 5 of The Vampire Diaries , and the episode "Cheers and Jeers" from season 6 of Drop Dead Diva were dedicated to Jones. [13] A number of other tributes and memorials were held, including those hosted by Society of Operating Cameramen, the International Cinematographers Guild, and several unions. [14] [15] [16] [17]

Vigils

In addition to the memorial held in Jones' hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, a vigil was held in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a memorial in Atlanta, Georgia, where around 700 gathered to both remember how Jones lived and make sure her memory inspires change in the film industry. [18] [19] A candle light vigil was held in Los Angeles where over 500 friends and participants marched from the Directors Guild of America headquarters to the national offices of the International Cinematographers Guild on Sunset Boulevard for a memorial service attended by many members of the film community. [20]

Awards shows

An online petition campaign to include Jones in the "In Memoriam" segment of the 86th Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2014, [21] achieved more than 55,000 signatures and was submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [21] [22] [23] The campaign succeeded, and Jones was acknowledged in a graphic shown to the television audience after Bette Midler sang "Wind Beneath My Wings" as part of the "In Memoriam" reel segment. She was included in the Academy's gallery tribute on its website, [24] and six Oscar winners wore "Ribbons for Sarah" on stage during their acceptance speeches.[ citation needed ]

Jones was also remembered during the 'In Memoriam' segment of the Creative Arts Emmys on August 16, 2014, [25] and by producer Harry Bring during the inaugural Locations Manager Awards March 29, 2014. [26]

Walk-a-thons

Walk-a-thons took place on October 5, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia, Santa Monica, California, and Central Park in New York City, to remember Jones and raise money for set safety. The Atlanta walk was led by Jones' family as well as cast and crew members of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals , including writer/EP Julie Plec and TVD star Paul Wesley. As a fund raiser for The Sarah Jones Film Foundation the walks had raised $35,000 as of October 6. [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

Reaction

While the tributes to Jones were of a very personal nature, they also became part of a larger industry wide call to address pervasive safety issues, and many notable representatives of the film industry made statements. Richard Crudo, President of the American Society of Cinematographers said as part of a larger statement, "As directors of photography, we have always been responsible for the safety of our crews, and it is incumbent upon us to find ways to be more decent and caring not only to them, but also to everyone we know." He continued, "It won't always be easy; at times, it will run counter to initial impulses. But if our example proves worthy, it might make a start toward curing the spiritual sickness I have described. It would also stand as the most profound tribute any of us could offer to the memory of Sarah Jones." [32] [33] [34] Academy Award winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler said, "The Sarah Jones tragedy brings the public's attention to something that has been going on for a number of years, Sarah's father has said – and I agree with him – that the only way her death will not be in vain is if we pay serious attention to safety. We are making entertainment and there's no reason to risk our lives and our health to get a shot." [26]

A Pledge to Sarah and Set Safety app

A group of film industry veterans formed the group 'A Pledge to Sarah' [35] to encourage film professionals to sign a pledge to dedicate themselves to promoting safe sets. [36] The group also led a successful Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to develop a smartphone safety app to help address on set safety issues. The funding goal was exceeded in three-and-a-half days. [37] On October 3, the app "Set Safety" was released for android users, [27] [38] and on October 14, it was released for the Apple iOS platform. [39]

The International Cinematographers Guild released a smartphone app "ICG Safety", on both Android and iOS platforms, to similarly address safety issues on set. [40]

Sarah Jones Film Foundation

While 'Slates for Sarah' initially focused on celebrating the life of Jones, it quickly became a rallying cry to address the many long standing safety problems on film and television sets. Jones' parents have said they will use the banner 'Safety for Sarah' [41] to help keep this movement going forward. [42] [43] In September, Jones' family announced the organization 'The Sarah Jones Film Foundation' would be the umbrella organization for film scholarship programs; Safety for Sarah, set safety efforts; and 'Slates for Sarah'. [28]

Related Research Articles

Emmanuel Lubezki Morgenstern is a Mexican cinematographer. He has worked with many acclaimed directors, including Mike Nichols, Tim Burton, Michael Mann, Joel and Ethan Coen, David O. Russell, and frequent collaborators Terrence Malick, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Randall Miller is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and occasional actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">86th Academy Awards</span> Award ceremony for films of 2013

The 86th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2013 and took place on March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. The ceremony was scheduled well after its usual late-February date to avoid conflicting with the 2014 Winter Olympics. During the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Academy Awards in 24 categories. The ceremony was televised in the United States by ABC, and produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan and directed by Hamish Hamilton. Actress Ellen DeGeneres hosted the show for the second time, having previously hosted the 79th ceremony held in 2007.

<i>How to Train Your Dragon</i> DreamWorks Animation media franchise

How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD) is an American media franchise from DreamWorks Animation and loosely based on the eponymous series of children's books by British author Cressida Cowell. It consists of three feature films: How to Train Your Dragon (2010), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). The franchise also contains five short films: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010), Book of Dragons (2010), Gift of the Night Fury (2011), Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019). A live-action reboot from Universal Pictures is in development and scheduled for release on June 13, 2025.

Midnight Rider, also known as Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story, is an American biographical drama film. Director Randall Miller co-wrote the screenplay with Jody Savin, based on the autobiography My Cross to Bear by the singer Gregg Allman. Miller and Savin were also the producers. The film was to star William Hurt, Tyson Ritter, Zoey Deutch, Eliza Dushku, and Wyatt Russell.

Pedestrian railroad safety is concerned with the protection of life through regulation, management and technology development of all forms of rail transportation. In the United States there are some 180,000 miles of track. Pedestrian railroad accidents are the leading cause of death on railways. More than 7,200 pedestrians have been killed by trains in the United States since 1997.

The Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature is one of the annual awards given by the Visual Effects Society starting from 2002. Since its inception, the award's title has gone through six different title changes, and one major category shift. First awarded in 2002, the award was titled "Outstanding Character Animation in a Live Action Motion Picture" and given to the best character animation in a live action film, with no specific character cited. This would change in 2004, when the category was re-titled "Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture", and given to visual effects artists for work on a specified character. The category was again re-titled in 2008, this time to "Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture". In 2014, it was titled "Outstanding Performance of an Animated Character in a Photoreal/Live Action Feature Motion Picture", but changed in 2016 to "Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature" and once again in 2017 to its current title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In memoriam segment</span> Part of a show that honors a recently deceased person

An in memoriam segment is a memorial to the people, of one particular field or industry, who have recently died. Typically, such memorials air on television, mostly during awards ceremonies. These segments consist of images or video clips of the recently departed individuals, edited together into a montage and usually accompanied by music. These memorials have been featured in such places as the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys, the Tonys, the Olivier Awards, the SAG Awards, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and even the NFL during Super Bowl week.

The Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project is one of the annual awards given by the Visual Effects Society. The award goes to artists whose work in virtual cinematography. It was first awarded in 2003 and 2004 for, under the title "Best Visual Effects Photography in a Motion Picture", before being scrapped from the ceremony. The award was given separately to artists in live-action film, animated film, and commercials/television. These categories were first awarded in 2012. The following year, the category specifically awarding animated film was dropped, with only live-action film and commercial/television being awarded. In 2015, only live-action films were awarded. The following year, the category's title changed to "Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Photoreal Project". It has held its current title since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">93rd Academy Awards</span> Award ceremony for films of 2020 and 2021

The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles. The ceremony was held on April 25, 2021, rather than its usual late-February date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the ceremony, the AMPAS presented Academy Awards in 23 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher, and Steven Soderbergh, and was directed by Glenn Weiss. For the third consecutive year, the ceremony had no official host. In related events, the Academy Scientific and Technical Awards were presented by host Nia DaCosta on February 13, 2021, in a virtual ceremony.

<i>The Last Voyage of the Demeter</i> 2023 film directed by André Øvredal

The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a 2023 American supernatural horror film directed by André Øvredal and written by Bragi F. Schut Jr. and Zak Olkewicz. It is an adaptation of "The Captain's Log", a chapter from the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. The film stars Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, and David Dastmalchian. Its plot follows the doomed crew of the merchant ship Demeter who attempt to survive the treacherous ocean voyage from Transylvania to London while being stalked by a legendary vampire known as Dracula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">94th Academy Awards</span> Award ceremony for films of 2021

The 94th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The awards were scheduled after their usual late February date to avoid conflicting with both the 2022 Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI, with the latter being held in nearby Inglewood, California. During the gala, the AMPAS presented Academy Awards in 23 categories honoring films released from March 1 to December 31, 2021. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Will Packer and Shayla Cowan and was directed by Glenn Weiss. Actresses Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes hosted the show for the first time. Two days earlier, in an event held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom of the Ovation Hollywood complex in Hollywood, the Academy held its 12th annual Governors Awards ceremony.

The American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Motion Picture, Limited Series, or Pilot Made for Television is an annual award given by the American Society of Cinematographers to cinematographers working in the field of television film, limited series or television pilots. It has been awarded, in some capacity, since 1986. From 2009 to 2013, pilot episodes were moved in competition with regular series, but returned in 2014, where it has since remained.

The American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in an Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Commercial is an annual award given by the American Society of Cinematographers to cinematographers working in commercial television. It was first awarded in 2016, when the awards separated it Regular Series award, splitting ad-sponsored television programs and non-sponsored, cable or streaming series into two categories. In 2020, the distinction of "One-Hour" was added, as half-hour programs were given their own categories.

The American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in an Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Non-Commercial is an annual award given by the American Society of Cinematographers to cinematographers working in non-commercial television. It was first awarded in 2016, when the awards separated it Regular Series award, splitting ad-sponsored television programs and non-sponsored, cable or streaming series into two categories. In 2020, the distinction of "One-Hour" was added, as half-hour programs were given their own categories.

The American Society of Cinematographers Spotlight Award is an annual award given by the American Society of Cinematographers to cinematographers working in features and documentaries that are typically screened at film festivals, in limited theatrical release, or outside the United States. It was first awarded in 2014.

<i>Guillermo del Toros Cabinet of Curiosities</i> Horror anthology streaming television series

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities is a horror anthology television series created by Guillermo del Toro for Netflix. It features eight modern horror stories in the traditions of the Gothic and Grand Guignol genres. Two are co-written by del Toro himself, while the others are written and directed by various filmmakers. It premiered on October 25, 2022, and received generally positive reviews.

On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a live round from a revolver he was using as a prop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">95th Academy Awards</span> Award ceremony for films of 2022

The 95th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. During the gala, the AMPAS presented Academy Awards in 23 categories honoring films released in 2022. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, with Weiss also serving as director. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel hosted the show for the third time, following the 89th ceremony in 2017 and the 90th ceremony in 2018.

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, Ted (February 20, 2014). "Train Accident Kills Crew Member of Gregg Allman Biopic". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  2. ↑ Yamato, Anita Busch,Jen (30 October 2014). "'Midnight Rider' Crew Kept In Dark Over Safety, Federal Investigation Reveals" . Retrieved 29 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Video: Camera Assistant Killed in 'Midnight Rider' Train Accident". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Video: Footage Shows 'Midnight Rider' Cast, Crew Running From Train". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "Railroad Accident Brief: Film Crew Trespassing on CSX Right-of-Way" (PDF) (Press release). NTSB. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ Dickey, Josh (February 20, 2014). "Crew Member on Greg Allman Biopic 'Midnight Rider' Killed During Train Mishap". TheWrap. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  7. ↑ Humber, Daryl (February 21, 2014). "Sarah". Dollygrippery. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Slates for Sarah". Facebook. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ Verrier, Richard; Hamedy, Saba (February 25, 2014). "'Slates for Sarah' campaign pays tribute to film worker killed by train". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ Flaherty, Keely (February 25, 2014). ""Slates For Sarah" Is Hollywood's Heartwarming Response To Crew Member's Fatal On-Set Accident". BuzzFeed . Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Sarah Jones Remembered". Oscar.com. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ Zdanowicz, Christina (March 3, 2014). "Film crew worker's tragic death prompts Hollywood movement". CNN .
  13. ↑ Koplowitz, Howard. "'Vampire Diaries' Crew Member, Sarah Jones, Dies In 'Midnight Rider' Train Accident". International Business Times. IBT Media.
  14. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (March 4, 2014). "'Midnight Rider' Death: Sarah Elizabeth Jones, Tribute Planned for Camera Operators Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ Busch, Anita (March 5, 2014). "Sarah Jones To Be Honored This Weekend By Unions With Candlelight Vigil And Memorial". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  16. ↑ Busch, Anita (March 7, 2014). "Anger, Impassioned Pleas For Safety at Tribute For Sarah Jones: 'No One Should Ever Die On A Television Or Movie Set. Period.'". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  17. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (March 8, 2014). "'Midnight Rider' Accident: Sarah Elizabeth Jones, Remembered at Camera Operators Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Scott (March 2, 2014). "'Midnight Rider': Hundreds Mourn Sarah Jones at Emotional Memorial". The Hollywood Reporter .
  19. ↑ Johnson, Ted (March 2, 2014). "Sarah Jones Memorial: 'Midnight Rider' Crew Member Remembered for 'Spirit' and 'Spunk'". Variety .
  20. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (March 7, 2014). "'Midnight Rider' Accident: More Than 500 Gather for Candlelight Walk and Memorial for Sarah Jones (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter .
  21. 1 2 Yamato, Jen (February 25, 2014). "OSCARS UPDATE: Production Community Rallying To Add 'Midnight Rider' Crew Member To In Memoriam Tribute". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  22. ↑ Hamedy, Saba (March 2, 2014). "Oscars 2014: Academy includes Sarah Jones 'In Memoriam'". Los Angeles Times.
  23. ↑ Johnson, Ted (February 25, 2014). "Campaign Launched to Honor Sarah Jones During Oscars' In Memoriam Tribute". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  24. ↑ Yamato, Jen (March 2, 2014). "OSCARS: In Memoriam Tribute Includes 'Midnight Rider's Sarah Jones". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  25. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (August 16, 2014). "Creative Arts Emmys: Sarah Jones Remembered in Tribute Reel". The Hollywood Reporter .
  26. 1 2 Giardina, Carolyn (March 30, 2014). "Oscar Winner Haskell Wexler Speaks About Sarah Jones Accident, Urges Safety". The Hollywood Reporter .
  27. 1 2 Yamato, Jen (October 3, 2014). "Sarah Jones 'Set Safety' App In Launch Mode". Deadline Hollywood .
  28. 1 2 Holman, Jordyn (September 22, 2014). "'The Vampire Diaries,' 'The Originals' Crews To Hold Walkathon for Sarah Jones". Variety .
  29. ↑ Busch, Anita (September 22, 2014). "Sarah Jones Walk-A-Thon Planned By 'Vampire Diaries,' 'The Originals' Cast And Crew". Deadline Hollywood .
  30. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (October 6, 2014). "Sarah Jones Walk-a-Thons Raise More Than $35,000 for On-Set Safety". The Hollywood Reporter .
  31. ↑ Bloom, David (October 5, 2014). "Slates For Sarah Walkathons Raise More Than $34,000". Deadline Hollywood .
  32. ↑ McNary, Dave (May 7, 2014). "'Midnight Rider': ASC President Blames 'Loss of Humanity' for Sarah Jones Death". Variety .
  33. ↑ Couch, Aaron (May 7, 2014). Jones-death-702208 "ASC President: Sarah Jones' Death Result of 'Spiritually' Ailing Industry". The Hollywood Reporter .{{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  34. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (May 8, 2014). Jones-father-702321 "'Midnight Rider': Sarah Jones' Father Hopes for Cure to Industry's 'Spiritual Sickness'". The Hollywood Reporter .{{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  35. ↑ A Pledge to Sarah E. Jones. "A Pledge to Sarah E. Jones" . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  36. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (March 5, 2014). "'Midnight Rider' Accident: Sarah Jones' Friends Set Up Pledge to Ensure Set Safety". The Hollywood Reporter .
  37. ↑ Yamato, Jen (August 2, 2014). "UPDATED: Crowdfunding Sarah Jones Safety App Reaches Its Goal". Deadline Hollywood .
  38. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 3, 2014). "Midnight Rider: Sarah Jones Safety App Debuts". Variety .
  39. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 14, 2014). "Midnight Rider: Sarah Jones Safety App Expands to Apple Platform". Variety .
  40. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 20, 2014). "'Midnight Rider': Cinematographers Guild Releases Safety App in Honor of Sarah Jones". Variety .
  41. ↑ "Safety for Sarah". Safety for Sarah. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  42. ↑ Miller, Daniel; James, Meg (July 4, 2014). "Charges could prompt film industry to take crew safety more seriously". Los Angeles Times .
  43. ↑ Busch, Anita (August 10, 2014). "Sarah Jones' Family Launches 'Safety For Sarah' Website". Deadline Hollywood .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.