Whit Norris Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Dear Member, A producer of Midnight Rider (Unclaimed Freight Prod.) has called the IA to inform us that they will be resuming production of Midnight Rider in Los Angeles in June with pre-production starting in a couple weeks. We have expressed our obvious concerns regarding this production starting again. We have demanded that they provide clearances from any and all governmental agencies and/or police agencies that are investigating this company and the individuals involved. We will require that they comply with all deposit requirements of the Low Budget Agreement. The company has agreed to provide proof of all required insurance as well. In addition to a Set Medic, the IA will require that the company employ a Safety Officer, referred by the Union to protect our members as well as other crew members working on this production. The production has also been informed, in no uncertain terms, that the Union presence on this production will be significant. The company did not ask for permission and was not granted permission to restart production. As uncomfortable as this is, we cannot prevent them from starting up again. Whether or not they can get people to work for them is a decision that those people will have to make for themselves. I will keep you apprised as we become aware of additional information. Mike. Michael F. Miller, Jr. International Vice President Department Director, Motion Picture & Television Production Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 This company just keeps on saying and doing things that I percieve as arrogance and stupidity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 This company just keeps on saying and doing things that I percieve as arrogance and stupidity. And.... just watch the little birds FLY into job positions if this ever does take off again.... People will as usual be fighting to get jobs on this show.... with eager faces, an empty conscience and a short memory..... Money trumps all... and the beat goes on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 In my fantasy world, people would take the booking, show up on day 1, and sit there reading the director and producers the riot act about their past deeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Seems crazy they would try this with the investigation still going on. Also seems crazy anyone would work for them while the whole story isn't out and nobody has been charged/blamed yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 AFMY +1. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3sound Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 wow, not sure what to think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 The company did not ask for permission and was not granted permission to restart production. As uncomfortable as this is, we cannot prevent them from starting up again. Whether or not they can get people to work for them is a decision that those people will have to make for themselves. I will keep you apprised as we become aware of additional information.Mike.Michael F. Miller, Jr.International Vice PresidentDepartment Director, Motion Picture & Television Production Did not ask for permission...Wow, the arrogance of Michael Miller. People need to ask him for permission to do business? F@#k Michael Miller. I'm sure the people that are responsible for the terrible decisions that lead to the death and casualties on the original shoot are long gone and that they know that this production is under a microscope concerning everything it does now. It is now being shot in Cali. where it's not as easy to get away with unsafe practices. Yeah, I know, my opinion won't be popular. Flame on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 mirror: " I'm sure the people that are responsible for the terrible decisions that lead to the death and casualties on the original shoot are long gone " sadly, I suspect not... some scapegoat (for now!) got thrown under the bus, but probably little more... I wonder how they can get insurance... and "low budget" ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Project above the line staff still under investigation for manslaughter. My experience says... Not currently able to get a completion bond. My curiosity wonders: Why has SAG not blacklisted these guys? They can do so to projects/production companies, and have done so to others in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 CM: " Why has SAG not blacklisted these guys? " no grounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Senator, please flip over LR your avatar photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 come on guys, let them make a film. it's more important than anything else really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefilosa Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I got a sobering fresh perspective on this from a fellow executive board member here in Atlanta. He hopes they "go for it" - consider - if they DO make the film, hope it is a great one, and a big success..... Thus there will actually be something for the family of Sarah Jones to "go after" when the trials begin. Otherwise, obfuscation and the overall corporate veil might shield the perpetrators and bury the project in bankruptcy with no assets to go after. I AM shocked that they are going on. I am NOT shocked that they won't be working in Georgia or Louisiana. I am "stunned" ) that they somehow now have the money to proceed in California ( or do they have Low Budget Tier 1&2 there too? ) Anyway, my colleague's fresh perspective does have me thinking a little differently than when I first heard the news... MF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrider Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I think this person would have a hard time finding a crew. I believe most would think the previous disregard for safety would carry over into every project this person is a part of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I'm sure the people that are responsible for the terrible decisions that lead to the death and casualties on the original shoot are long gone and that they know that this production is under a microscope concerning everything it does now. It is now being shot in Cali. where it's not as easy to get away with unsafe practices. I think as Mr. Norris has said, there are a lot of things about this production that have still not yet come out, and we don't know all the facts. I can't think of a major feature film where any catastrophes and death happened behind the scenes, and the film went on to do very well. Maybe The Crow, but not a lot of others. Heck, I'm skeptical that Fast & Furious can make money, because there's a cloud over it with the death of Paul Walker (not during actual production). With stuff like this, I'd get very queasy every time the star came on screen and I knew it was CG or a stand-in. The Hollywood Reporter says that star William Hurt -- who was in the train tracks scene being shot that day but was not injured -- is not confirmed to come back to the film: http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-death-los-angeles-filming/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 The morbid curiosity of the typical F&F audience combined with CGI magic will make F&F 7 a mega hit. That you can take to the bank. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I'll bet you they get a crew in LA. Shame. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Feeley Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I can't think of a major feature film where any catastrophes and death happened behind the scenes, and the film went on to do very well. Maybe The Crow, but not a lot of others. Heck, I'm skeptical that Fast & Furious can make money, because there's a cloud over it with the death of Paul Walker (not during actual production). With stuff like this, I'd get very queasy every time the star came on screen and I knew it was CG or a stand-in. Gander at this too-long list. Granted, not all of the accidents resulted in death, but some films with deadly accidents did well I think.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_film_accidents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep owl Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Richard Lightstone's opinion would be the most informed and objective on this whole thing since he was there. Maybe he'll share his thoughts. Hope everyone proceeds with caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Don't be surprised, but RL may not be able to discuss or share much, if anything, due to legal constraints... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 The morbid curiosity of the typical F&F audience combined with CGI magic will make F&F 7 a mega hit. That you can take to the bank. Eric It happened off set, and I think I saw on the news that his brother(s) are body doubling for the remaining scenes. That's a different situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 JP: " I think I saw... " you did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Any way it's sliced, I think that will be one difficult set on which to work. We produce content for the viewing pleasure of others... how that all translates when you add the death of a crew member into the mix is quite sobering. Let's hope some good can come of it all... somehow. ~tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 Sobering story in Deadline Hollywood: Campaign Calls For Crew Boycott As ‘Midnight Rider’ Heads To L.A. For Pre-Prod http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/midnight-rider-sarah-jones-crew-boycott-los-angeles-filming/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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