The Death of Sarah Jones

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Telling her story is fine, I don't agree with the use of the photo. No one shared Brent Herschman's photo or Rod Mitchell's photo or Jack Tandberg's photo....

[Afton Grant]

Fair enough if you don't agree. It's a personal thing though. Everybody deals with such events differently, and we just don't need to be calling one way of dealing any more or less strange than another.

[GrantCulwell]

Oh good, the soap is back on.

 

What a great way to honor her life by complaining about how others choose to mourn her.

[William Demeritt]

Out of respect for the dead (literally), maybe we sanitize this thread of our usual day-to-day squabbling, lest others in our industry accidentally find this conversation and remember this forum for one disgraceful thread?

 

Lock the thread, edit your own posts, and let's focus on the problem that lead to her death. Pictures on your sled, black bands on your sleeve... nothing will bring her back. Carry that in your heart. Enough.

 

"The internet isn't written in pencil, it's written in ink."

[Jessica Lopez]

Out of respect for her, I will not take the picture off my rig anytime soon. As a matter of fact, people have requested I share the photo with them so they can do the same.

 

Today on set, people saw it. They asked, they told me stories, a small discussion was made and believe it or not safety was top priority. I could see people were more aware and more concerned. Good thing most don't share the opinions of Eric. It is my right and responsibility to help prevent this from ever happening again. Same goes for any other operator that is affected by this. Dave Chameides is a good leader in this community. I respect him completely and am very thankful he posted the picture and encouraged us to fly it if we chose to.

 

Here is a response I got from one of Sarah's good friends in Georgia. Like I said before social media can be a powerful thing!

[Jessica Lopez]

Oh wait, I just got this one too!

[Dave Chameides]

Eric,

 

I just got up and after downing some coffee saw this thread, and right off the bat, I want to offer you my apologies and my condolences. As I understand from your posts you worked with Sarah and as hard as this is for anyone who didn't know her, it's gotta be harder for someone who did. My heart goes out to you and anyone closer to this situation than I, which is in fact, very far removed.

 

I have to say that I was taken aback by your comment, only because I had done a lot of thinking and consulting with others before deciding to post her picture. But having said that, I want to thank you for making your feelings heard and I hope you'll know that I had no disrespect in mind when I decided to do that. I've sadly dealt with death a fair amount and I think I may have different views on it than many so I try to be as respectful as I can and I felt that I was being. Again, please accept my apologies for offending you as it was not my intention.

 

By way of explanation, but not persuasion, I'll offer this. All movements have icons and I by no means want to diminish her life to that status, but there is, hopefully, a movement afoot to try and change the culture of the film set so that nothing like this ever happens again. For better or worse, Sarah has already become the name and face of that movement. The best way to keep this going is to make sure to keep it front and center and I felt the best way to do that was to keep her memory with us. I originally printed out the variety article and put it in my front bag so I could share it with producers and the like who were trying to push me. But I realized what I needed more was a reminder, at all times, to make sure that everyone in my department, and perhaps beyond, was doing things as safely as possible. I saw that picture and was really taken aback because I have so many similar pictures of 2nd Acs, as I'm sure do you, and could only imagine what it must be to have this happen to someone I care about in my own sphere.

 

I think that in many ways, whether she would have wanted it or not, Sarah Jones has already become an icon of this fight. It may or may not be our right to decide if she should be, but in my mind, if it saves one life, it all will have been worth it. On a personal level, I can't think of a better way to memorialize someone than to have them be the spark that ignites a change in an industry towards making everyone safe and making sure no one ever meets the fate they came to. But that is of course my view of the subject and not necessarily going to be everyones.

 

In the end, your post made me think about why i am doing this, and as i said, it is simply so that every time I build my rig, there is a reminder that someone was lost because others didn't stand up and say no and that I need to take that part of my job seriously. It's really in the end, for me. A kick in the ass to say "Wake up asshole because peoples lives can be in your hands and you may not even recognize it." But like I said, your comment made me think and i suspect what may have struck a nerve, and in this I think you may be right, was seeing her pic on my monitor on FB, in a wide forum like that. As I started to think, that began to bother me, and so, I have removed that picture because while I intended as a lesson for others, i recognize it could be read in a different way, so for that I thank you Eric. In addition, in realizing that her pic is there for me, I have printed a smaller version and it is much less imposing on my rig. Those who investigate will certainly ask and find out, but more important, it will still be a reminder to me every day I work, that it's my job to make sure that everyone goes home safe at night, and if they don't, I have failed.

 

So there ya have it. Thank you for speaking up and letting me know what you think. I really do value it. These are muddy waters and scary times and we are all hurting, folks like you who knew Sarah more than most. I hope this helped on some level. I'm not sure if you'll agree, but please know i meant no offense to you and most importantly to her family or to her memory. In fact, quite the opposite.

 

If you'd like to PM me feel free or you can even call as I'm always happy to talk.

 

Be well. Be Safe. Be good. Speak up.

 

Dave

[Dave Chameides]

Jessica,

Love your passion but chill a little. I guess you and Eric have history but he's hurting like everyone else, maybe even moreso. I think EVERYONE can take a little step back and realize there is no right or wrong in any of this. In fact there may only be wrong as the entire thing sucks ass. Tensions and emotions are running high so everyone go find a marijuana dispensary, do some yoga or walk the dog, and chill.

 

There's no reason for extra venting on what already is a terrible situation.

 

Be Well. Be Good. Be Safe. Speak Up.

 

Dave

[Peter Abraham]

There are nations on our fragile planet where those who believe themselves to be in a position of authority take upon themselves the "right" to tell others how to mourn, what to say, what to think.

 

Fortunately, I do not live in one of those nations.

 

For any who believe in dictating the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of others, there's a plant ticket to Uganda with your name on it. Go, fly, surround yourself with loathing, brutality, rage, violence, repression, censorship, hatred and bullying. Wallow in it, for it is now the loudly proclaimed law of the land. Here in the United States? Not so much.

 

I will be the first to admit that I do not remember the names of all camera department crew members I have worked with since my first professional gig in winter of 1981. It's the way of life. Do I know the name Brent Hirschman? I do. Do I know what show he was on when he died? Yes- Pleasantville ( where, I am grateful to find, Mr. Hirschman's credit is rightfully listed ). Do I know of the documentary film created by Haskell Wexler in the aftermath of Mr. Hirschman's death? I do. I've watched it through. All of us should.

 

All by way of defending an individual's right to mourn in their own way, to remember and to pay respect to someone who has died.

[Dave Chameides]

I don't think anyone is telling anyone how they have the right to mourn Peter, I just think Eric was mentioning that it made him feel uncomfortable. We all need to mourn how we do and if something strikes us the wrong way, we all need to respectful speak up if it's appropriate. It's a sticky area for sure, but I think we can agree that there is room for all thoughts.

[Peter Abraham]

Indeed. And those were mine. One person telling another person how to think or speak makes me uncomfortable.

 

Sarah Jones' Obituary, with information on her funeral.

[Lars Erik]

Did anyone ask Ms. Jones family about using her picture on their rigs?

 

I think the idea is good, because her death is so pointless. But the her family should have a say in this.

 

Other than that, I think it's a great shame that there is a negative mood in some posts in this thread. Perhaps those posts should have been PM'ed instead?

[Jessica Lopez]

I'm actually in the process of asking. Hoping to get an answer soon.

[Jessica Lopez]

Permission enough. Judgments no longer necessary.

[Iain Baird]

There have been multiple tributes that I've seen in the last few days, some from people who knew her and others that didn't - THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I'VE SEEN WITH ANY NEGATIVITY IN IT.

 

Pat yourself on the back fella you've done it again - you know who you are!!

 

 

Iain Baird

 

For those that feel love is better than hate here's a group I just joined - https://www.facebook.com/slatesforsarah?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite