Safety for Sarah movement

{{main|Midnight Rider (film)#February 20, 2014, incident}}

File:CSX local locomotives crossing Cherokee Lake.jpg

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 {{Convert|58|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}}, 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.{{cite news |last=Johnson|first=Ted|title=Train Accident Kills Crew Member of Gregg Allman Biopic|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/midnight-rider-crew-member-killed-in-georgia-train-accident-1201114468/|accessdate=February 21, 2014|newspaper=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=February 20, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/midnight-rider-death-timeline-sarah-jones-train-accident-investigation-1201266684/|title='Midnight Rider' Crew Kept In Dark Over Safety, Federal Investigation Reveals|first=Anita Busch,Jen|last=Yamato|date=30 October 2014|publisher=|accessdate=29 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/camera-assistant-killed-midnight-rider-train-accident-26618524|title=Video: Camera Assistant Killed in 'Midnight Rider' Train Accident|website=ABC News|accessdate=29 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/footage-shows-midnight-rider-cast-crew-running-train-26618564|title=Video: Footage Shows 'Midnight Rider' Cast, Crew Running From Train|website=ABC News|accessdate=29 November 2017}}{{cite press release |title=Railroad Accident Brief: Film Crew Trespassing on CSX Right-of-Way|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAB1501.pdf|accessdate=March 26, 2015|publisher=NTSB|date=March 23, 2015}} William Hurt got off the trestle before the train hit the hospital bed. Several other crew members were injured and were taken to hospital.{{cite news |last=Dickey|first=Josh|title=Crew Member on Greg Allman Biopic 'Midnight Rider' Killed During Train Mishap|url=https://www.thewrap.com/train-mishap-kills-camera-assistant-shooting-gregg-allman-biopic-midnight-rider/|accessdate=February 21, 2014|newspaper=TheWrap|date=February 20, 2014}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.dollygrippery.net/2014/02/sarah.html |title=Sarah |last=Humber |first=Daryl |work=Dollygrippery |date=February 21, 2014 |accessdate=August 24, 2014 }} On February 24, 2014, the Facebook page 'Slates for Sarah'{{cite web|url=http://www.slatesforsarah.org|title=Slates for Sarah|work=Facebook|accessdate=November 4, 2014}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Verrier |first1=Richard |last2=Hamedy |first2=Saba |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/25/entertainment/la-et-ct-sarah-jones-social-media-20140225 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329202929/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/25/entertainment/la-et-ct-sarah-jones-social-media-20140225 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2014 |title='Slates for Sarah' campaign pays tribute to film worker killed by train |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 25, 2014 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Flaherty |first=Keely |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/keelyflaherty/slates-for-sarah-is-hollywoods-heartwarming-response-to-crew?s=mobile |title="Slates For Sarah" Is Hollywood's Heartwarming Response To Crew Member's Fatal On-Set Accident |work=BuzzFeed |date=February 25, 2014 |accessdate=August 24, 2014 }} 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{{cite web|url=http://oscar.go.com/blogs/oscar-blogs-general/140302-sarah-jones-remembered|title=Sarah Jones Remembered|work=Oscar.com|accessdate=November 4, 2014}} and for Oscar winners to wear ribbons on stage in her memory.{{cite news |last=Zdanowicz |first=Christina |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/26/showbiz/slates-for-sarah-elizabeth-jones/ |title=Film crew worker's tragic death prompts Hollywood movement |work=CNN |date=March 3, 2014 }}

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.{{cite news|last= Koplowitz|first=Howard|title='Vampire Diaries' Crew Member, Sarah Jones, Dies In 'Midnight Rider' Train Accident|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/vampire-diaries-crew-member-sarah-jones-dies-midnight-rider-train-accident-1557225|newspaper=International Business Times|publisher=IBT Media}} A number of other tributes and memorials were held, including those hosted by Society of Operating Cameramen, the International Cinematographers Guild, and several unions.{{cite news|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title='Midnight Rider' Death: Sarah Elizabeth Jones, Tribute Planned for Camera Operators Awards|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-tribute-686045|accessdate=March 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=March 4, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Anita|title=Sarah Jones To Be Honored This Weekend By Unions With Candlelight Vigil And Memorial|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/sarah-jones-to-be-honored-this-weekend-by-union-candlelight-vigil-and-memorial-693959/|access-date=March 9, 2014|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=PMC|date=March 5, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Anita|title=Anger, Impassioned Pleas For Safety at Tribute For Sarah Jones: 'No One Should Ever Die On A Television Or Movie Set. Period.'|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/anger-impassioneed-pleas-for-safety-on-the-set-at-tribute-for-sarah-jones-no-one-should-ever-die-on-a-television-or-movie-set-period-695729/|access-date=March 9, 2014|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=PMC|date=March 7, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title='Midnight Rider' Accident: Sarah Elizabeth Jones, Remembered at Camera Operators Awards|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/midnight-rider-accident-sarah-jones-687028|accessdate=March 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=March 8, 2014}}

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.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Scott |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/midnight-rider-accident-sarah-jones-684877 |title='Midnight Rider': Hundreds Mourn Sarah Jones at Emotional Memorial |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 2, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Ted |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/sarah-jones-memorial-midnight-rider-crew-member-remembered-for-spirit-and-spunk-1201124056/ |title=Sarah Jones Memorial: 'Midnight Rider' Crew Member Remembered for 'Spirit' and 'Spunk' |work=Variety |date=March 2, 2014 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/midnight-rider-accident-more-500-686617 |title='Midnight Rider' Accident: More Than 500 Gather for Candlelight Walk and Memorial for Sarah Jones (Video) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 7, 2014 }}

An online petition campaign to include Jones in the "In Memoriam" segment of the 86th Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2014,{{cite news|last=Yamato|first=Jen|title=OSCARS UPDATE: Production Community Rallying To Add 'Midnight Rider' Crew Member To In Memoriam Tribute|url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/oscars-midnight-rider-sarah-jones-in-memoriam-689064/|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=PMC|date=February 25, 2014}} achieved more than 55,000 signatures and was submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Hamedy, Saba (March 2, 2014). [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-sarah-jones-oscars-in-memoriam-20140302,0,5165096.story "Oscars 2014: Academy includes Sarah Jones 'In Memoriam'"]. Los Angeles Times.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ted|title=Campaign Launched to Honor Sarah Jones During Oscars' In Memoriam Tribute|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/campaign-launched-to-honor-sarah-jones-during-oscars-in-memoriam-tribute-1201120573/|accessdate=February 26, 2014|newspaper=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=February 25, 2014}} 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,{{cite news|last=Yamato|first=Jen|title=OSCARS: In Memoriam Tribute Includes 'Midnight Rider's Sarah Jones|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/oscars-midnight-rider-sarah-jones-in-memoriam-tribute-692470/|access-date=March 9, 2014|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=PMC|date=March 2, 2014}} and six Oscar winners wore "Ribbons for Sarah" on stage during their acceptance speeches.{{cn|date=May 2020}}

Jones was also remembered during the 'In Memoriam' segment of the Creative Arts Emmys on August 16, 2014,{{cite news |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/creative-arts-emmys-sarah-jones-725931 |title=Creative Arts Emmys: Sarah Jones Remembered in Tribute Reel |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 16, 2014 }} and by producer Harry Bring during the inaugural Locations Manager Awards March 29, 2014.

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.{{cite news |last=Busch |first=Anita |url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/sarah-jones-safety-for-sarah-walk-a-thon-planned-838562/ |title=Sarah Jones Walk-A-Thon Planned By 'Vampire Diaries,' 'The Originals' Cast And Crew |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 22, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sarah-jones-walk-a-thons-738375 |title=Sarah Jones Walk-a-Thons Raise More Than $35,000 for On-Set Safety |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 6, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Bloom |first=David |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/slates-for-sarah-walkathons-raise-more-than-34000-846312/ |title=Slates For Sarah Walkathons Raise More Than $34,000 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 5, 2014 }}

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."{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/midnight-rider-asc-president-blames-loss-of-humanity-for-sarah-jones-death-1201174844/ |title='Midnight Rider': ASC President Blames 'Loss of Humanity' for Sarah Jones Death |work=Variety |date=May 7, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Couch |first=Aaron |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/asc-president-Sarah Jones-death-702208 |title=ASC President: Sarah Jones' Death Result of 'Spiritually' Ailing Industry |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 7, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/midnight-rider-Sarah Jones-father-702321 |title='Midnight Rider': Sarah Jones' Father Hopes for Cure to Industry's 'Spiritual Sickness' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 8, 2014 }} 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."{{cite news |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/oscar-winner-haskell-wexler-speaks-692146 |title=Oscar Winner Haskell Wexler Speaks About Sarah Jones Accident, Urges Safety |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 30, 2014 }}

A group of film industry veterans formed the group 'A Pledge to Sarah'{{cite web|url=http://pledgetosarah.org|title=A Pledge to Sarah E. Jones|author=A Pledge to Sarah E. Jones|accessdate=November 4, 2014}} to encourage film professionals to sign a pledge to dedicate themselves to promoting safe sets.{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/midnight-rider-accident-sarah-jones-686197 |title='Midnight Rider' Accident: Sarah Jones' Friends Set Up Pledge to Ensure Set Safety |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 5, 2014 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Yamato |first=Jen |url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/sarah-jones-midnight-rider-safety-app-crowdfunding-indiegogo-pledge-to-sarah-813319/ |title=UPDATED: Crowdfunding Sarah Jones Safety App Reaches Its Goal |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 2, 2014 }} On October 3, the app "Set Safety" was released for android users,{{cite news |last=Yamato |first=Jen |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/sarah-jones-set-safety-app-midnight-rider-845624/ |title=Sarah Jones 'Set Safety' App In Launch Mode |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 3, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-safety-app-debuts-1201320762/ |title=Midnight Rider: Sarah Jones Safety App Debuts |work=Variety |date=October 3, 2014 }} and on October 14, it was released for the Apple iOS platform.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-safety-app-expands-mac-store-1201329293/ |title=Midnight Rider: Sarah Jones Safety App Expands to Apple Platform |work=Variety |date=October 14, 2014 }}

The International Cinematographers Guild released a smartphone app "ICG Safety", on both Android and iOS platforms, to similarly address safety issues on set.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/midnight-rider-cinematographers-guild-releases-safety-app-1201334652/ |title='Midnight Rider': Cinematographers Guild Releases Safety App in Honor of Sarah Jones |work=Variety |date=October 20, 2014 }}

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'{{cite web|url=http://www.SafetyforSarah.com|title=Safety for Sarah|website=Safety for Sarah|accessdate=29 November 2017}} to help keep this movement going forward.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Daniel |last2=James |first2=Meg |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-sarah-jones-death-midnight-rider-20140704-story.html |title=Charges could prompt film industry to take crew safety more seriously |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 4, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Busch |first=Anita |url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/sarah-jones-family-launches-safety-for-sarah-website-817021/ |title=Sarah Jones' Family Launches 'Safety For Sarah' Website |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 10, 2014 }} 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'.{{cite news |last=Holman |first=Jordyn |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/vampire-diaries-originals-sarah-jones-walkathon-1201310787/ |title='The Vampire Diaries,' 'The Originals' Crews To Hold Walkathon for Sarah Jones |work=Variety |date=September 22, 2014 }}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|http://www.safetyforsarah.com/}}
• {{facebook|slatesforsarah}}
• {{imdbname|3776595|Sarah Jones}}

Category:Safety

Category:Film production