Midnight Rider (partially found unfinished biographical film based on band; 2013-2014): Difference between revisions
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==Production== | ==Production== | ||
In May 2013, Open Road Films announced | In May 2013, Open Road Films announced production of a biographical film about the Allman Brothers Band, based on Gregg Allman's memoir ''My Cross To Bear'', with Randall Miller as director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2013/05/cannes-open-road-to-bring-gregg-allman-biopic-to-u-s-theaters-503453/ Announcement of the film's production.] Retrieved 28 Mar '19</ref> Gregg Allman and band manager Michael Lehman were to be closely involved in the project.<ref>[https://variety.com/2013/film/news/gregg-allman-biopic-set-1200483450/ A Variety article on the film, where it was stated that Gregg Allman would be involved in the production.] Retrieved 28 Mar '19</ref> | ||
===The Train Accident=== | ===The Train Accident=== | ||
February 20th, 2014 was the first day of filming. The | February 20th, 2014 was the first day of filming. The crew was taken to a remote location in Wayne County, GA, to film a dream sequence, in which William Hurt, as Gregg Allman, lay on a hospital bed on a train trestle, high above the Altamaha River.<ref>[https://www.thewrap.com/train-mishap-kills-camera-assistant-shooting-gregg-allman-biopic-midnight-rider/ An article on the death of Sarah Jones.] Retrieved 28 Mar '19</ref> | ||
However, | However, the necessary arrangements and permissions to shoot at this site had not been secured, nor were standard film industry safety practices followed.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/midnight-rider-trial-video-shows-780592/ Details from trial.] Retrieved 26 Jul 22</ref> The group were simply advised that they would have one minute to get out of the way of any oncoming train.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/midnight-rider-accident-sarah-jones-death-gregg-allman-685976/ Interview with crew member.] Retrieved 26 Jul 22</ref> And during the course of their work, a train was suddenly spotted approaching. | ||
Reaching safe ground meant running toward the train. The crew were told to leave the camera equipment and get to safety, though Miller and another individual attempted to remove the metal bedframe, fearing a derailment. They were forced to abandon the effort, Miller being pulled out of harm's way at the last second by the still photographer. | |||
The train crashed into the bed. Debris and shrapnel were sent flying. Numerous people were injured, six of them badly enough to warrant medical attention. A portion of the bed struck camera assistant Sarah Jones, which threw her toward the train; she was struck by its fuel tank and died instantly.<ref>[https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-autopsy-reveals-grisly-details-204220222.html/ Investigation details.] Retrieved 26 Jul 22</ref> | |||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
Revision as of 07:50, 26 July 2022
This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its discussion of fatal train accident.
Sarah Jones, the camerawoman killed in the train accident.
Status: Partially Found
The Allman Brothers Band was a rock band formed by brothers Gregg and Duane Allman in 1969. They have left behind an influence and are considered one of the pioneers of Southern rock music. They have had multiple break-ups and reunions, their final break-up being in 2014.[1]
Around 2013, a film was planned based on the band that was named after their 1971 single "Midnight Rider."
Production
In May 2013, Open Road Films announced production of a biographical film about the Allman Brothers Band, based on Gregg Allman's memoir My Cross To Bear, with Randall Miller as director.[2] Gregg Allman and band manager Michael Lehman were to be closely involved in the project.[3]
The Train Accident
February 20th, 2014 was the first day of filming. The crew was taken to a remote location in Wayne County, GA, to film a dream sequence, in which William Hurt, as Gregg Allman, lay on a hospital bed on a train trestle, high above the Altamaha River.[4]
However, the necessary arrangements and permissions to shoot at this site had not been secured, nor were standard film industry safety practices followed.[5] The group were simply advised that they would have one minute to get out of the way of any oncoming train.[6] And during the course of their work, a train was suddenly spotted approaching.
Reaching safe ground meant running toward the train. The crew were told to leave the camera equipment and get to safety, though Miller and another individual attempted to remove the metal bedframe, fearing a derailment. They were forced to abandon the effort, Miller being pulled out of harm's way at the last second by the still photographer.
The train crashed into the bed. Debris and shrapnel were sent flying. Numerous people were injured, six of them badly enough to warrant medical attention. A portion of the bed struck camera assistant Sarah Jones, which threw her toward the train; she was struck by its fuel tank and died instantly.[7]
Aftermath
Filming immediately stopped after the accident, and after it, the film got a lot of backlash. Multiple lawsuits were filed, such as a wrongful death lawsuit by Jones' parents against the railroad company that made the railroad Jones was killed on.[8] A few of the crew members were also sued for manslaughter and trespassing (they were told by CSX before that they could not film on the railroad[9]), including director Randall Miller and assistant director Hillary Schwartz.[10][11] A movement was also created for Sarah Jones, titled "Safety for Sarah".
Despite all the controversy, Randall Miller still intended to resume filming, even with Film Allman LLC announcing the suspension of production on the film.[12][13] William Hurt soon pulled out of the film,[14] and Gregg Allman begged the producers and directors to stop production on the film to honor Sarah Jones. However, he was eventually forced to make a civil lawsuit against them to make them stop.[15]
Availability
Not much has surfaced of Midnight Rider since the train accident (though the actual accident itself was filmed and unfortunately can be found quite easily).
The only surviving footage available online is the dream sequence, a portion of the script included in the video, and a "rock video" filmed the day before the accident, intended to be a bonus feature on the DVD.
This is most likely the only footage of Midnight Rider that will ever surface due to the controversy surrounding it, and the film will almost certainly remain unfinished for the same reason.
Gallery
References
- ↑ A CBS article on the band's final performance. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ Announcement of the film's production. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ A Variety article on the film, where it was stated that Gregg Allman would be involved in the production. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ An article on the death of Sarah Jones. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ Details from trial. Retrieved 26 Jul 22
- ↑ Interview with crew member. Retrieved 26 Jul 22
- ↑ Investigation details. Retrieved 26 Jul 22
- ↑ A CNN article on the lawsuit against CSX, the railroad company. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ A Variety article that talks about how CSX denied permission for the crew to film on the tracks. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ An article on the suit against Miller and Jay Sedrish (they pleaded not guilty). Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ A Deadline article on the lawsuit against Hillary Schwartz. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ Announcement of suspension of production on the film. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ Article on Randall Miller's plan to continue filming. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ The announcement of William Hurt quitting the film. Retrieved 28 Mar '19
- ↑ An article on Allman's lawsuit against the producers (and how they settled it out-of-court). Retrieved 28 Mar '19