Film director Randall Miller is jailed after 'Midnight Rider' ruling

Sarah-Jones-Randall-miller-jail
'Midnight Rider' director Randall Miller will serve time in prison following a ruling by Georgia's Superior Court over the death of Sarah Jones.

Miller pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass as part of a plea deal Monday. The director will spend 2 years in jail followed by 8 years of probation. Miller is also banned from directing any motion pictures for 10 years.

Executive Producer Jay Sedrish was also sentenced to 10 years of probation and is banned from working in any supervisory roles on film productions for a decade.

Miller is the first crew member on 'Midnight Rider' to be sentenced to jail, and the announcement comes after a long legal battle following the tragic on-set death of Sarah Jones, who was run over by a freight train while shooting a scene for the movie.

Miller will also have to carry out 15 days of community service (360 hours) as part of his sentence and pay a $25,000 fine.

It was only recently that a crew member was killed in the pre-production of Martin Scorcese's latest film, while renowned fitness guru Greg Plitt was killed after being hit by a train in LA.

Before this year's Oscars, film crews around the world held a minute of silence to remember Sarah Jones, and to remind others how important it is for them to follow correct safety protocols.

On-set safety has been a top priority since Sarah Jones' death, but with a string of high profile incidents in the past few months resulting in crew casualties, the film industry still has to do more to minimize risks and educate people on best practices.

Iain Alexander

Founder - Film Industry Network

Share

Recent news

How TV & Film Merchandise Shape Consumer Desires

The influence of TV and film on consumer behaviour is a dynamic aspect of contemporary…

April 4, 2024

What Should Students Know Before Choosing the Film Industry as Their Future Profession?

Before deciding to pursue a career in the film industry, you must consider several critical…

April 3, 2024

Mahdi Al-Sharshani Ali Brings Fresh Ingredients to the Film Production Industry

Mahdi directed, wrote, and produced over 30 short films at the Doha Film Institute.

March 28, 2024

How to make your entertainment business look more professional

Whether you are new to the business world or not, it's essential to make a…

February 8, 2024

6 Career Tips for the Aspiring Sound Editor

Embarking on a career in sound editing is an exciting venture, filled with opportunities to…

January 17, 2024

Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival reveals 2024 lineup

The International Competition is set to showcase 66 films representing 52 nationalities.

December 19, 2023