'Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller, Producers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter, Criminal Trespass

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Midnight Rider director Randall Miller and producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass in Wayne County, Georgia superior court following the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, it was announced on Thursday.

It's important to make human lives a priority.

"4 Redrum in the Dark" Official Music Video

byrdsol's music video for "4 Redrum in the Dark" has just gone live.  Check it out!


Directed/produced by Elsa Valdez and Original Tomboy Productions.

‘Midnight Rider’ Victim’s Family Files Massive Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Everyone wants to get the shot, but no one wants to spend the extra time or money to do it right (or, at the very least, to consider the well-being of the cast and crew). Hopefully, unlike so many before it, this lesson won't go forgotten.

The family of Sarah Jones, the camera assistant killed during filming of the film “Midnight Rider,” has filed a lawsuit against the film’s director, producers, some of its crew, Gregg Allman, distributor Open Road Films and the companies that own the railroad tracks and surrounding land.

The suit, which also includes charges of negligence, asks for unspecified damages for Jones’s death and pain and suffering, plus punitive damages.

The suit alleges that director Randall Miller and the defendants, including location manager Charles Baxter, executive producer Jay Sedrish, first assistant director Hillary Schwartz and cinematographer Mike Ozier,  failed to obtain permission for the production to be on the railroad bridge where the fatal accident occurred, and that they concealed that fact and the danger of their shooting plans from the rest of the crew by leading them to think they would be working on the tracks with the permission of the railroad.

Wrapped and Wrapped!!!

Last week, we wrapped principal photography on Eric Casaccio's new short, "Narcissist." Great crew, great cast, great story - can't wait to see it all cut together.

I also received word not too long ago that Ripe is locked and finished. Yay, team! Look for it soon at a film festival near you!

I can't wait to see where the journey takes me next!

updates...

"don't go" update - "don't go" will be playing at outfest on saturday, july 14, 2007. please visit the outfest website for times, directions and ticket information. "we 'bout to blow up!!!" - amber sharp

in other news: just finished production on a commercial for a very talented artist/jewelry maker/entrepeneur, graham goddard, and his beautiful kisskadee pendants. he makes these pendants that are basically miniature paintings - very innovative and beautiful. anyway, all of us being at a very early stage in our careers, the production was very low budget. still, it was extremely fun, and we got lots of beautiful footage! graham and garrett thompson (the director) were both great to work with - two of the most "with it," yet easy-going guys you can meet. all in all, a great shoot!

"don't go" pilot premieres at outfest

so, "don't go" is nearing completion, and i just got word that it will be premiering at outfest in los angeles this july. the new website is up and running (click on the banner to the right), and everyone's hopes and energy for the project are as high as ever. it's a very exciting time in all of our lives right now!

other than that, things are going. wrapped production on a short a couple of weekends ago, entitled "brotherlee." the schedule was EXTREMELY hectic (we shot a 15 page script in 2.5 days) - the great people on this project was really the saving grace on set. if the people you're working with are nasty ON TOP OF not-so-ideal working conditions, then you are guaranteed to have a miserable time. but EVERYONE on "brotherlee" was fantastic - it really was a pleasure to be able to work and spend time with all of them, even on that 23-hour day where we had to drag a generator up a dirt path on a steep hill. :-P

wrapped production on "don't go" pilot!

principal photography for the pilot episode of "don't go" has wrapped! was a great experience overall. the crew, the cast, the project... couldn't have wished for anything better! if this project doesn't succeed, i will lose faith in all that is good - that's how perfect this production was!

the pilot is now in post - the footage is in the editor's hands now. amber and seema estimate that we'll have a finished product within the next few months. i can't wait to see how it all looks together!

crewing up

just got back from nevada - very fun! please check out my pictures here.

okay, back to business. amber sharp's project, "don't go," is starting up soon. REAL soon. i'm still looking for some grip/electric PAs, so if you or someone you know is looking for some work, please refer them to me. dates are feb 21 through mar 4.

the project is a labor of love (read "low budget"), so there is no monetary compensation at this time. but if we get more funding or better - picked up by a network, we'll be sure to make it worth your while.

the story deals with controversial subject matter, so be sure to check out the website before you commit.

if you're still interested, contact me or the production at:
asharpproductions@gmail.com