THE SARAH JONES FILM FOUNDATION
MISSION:
To foster on-set safety through awareness and accountability.
BACKSTORY:
The SJFF was created to honor the legacy of Sarah Jones, a 27 year-old camera assistant who needlessly lost her life on February 20, 2014 in an accident on the set of Midnight Rider. The SJFF seeks to engage the entire film community in generating constructive and realistic strategies to prevent other such tragedies from happening in the future.
WEBSITE:
SafetyForSarah.com
INITIATIVES:
Accountability – In addition to furthering dialogue among crew members, union officials and other industry professionals concerning set safety, the SJFF is proud to support the Set Safety app developed by Steven Allen. This free app is available on iTunes. App users are urged to reach out if they ever feel endangered on set, “whether it is an on-set safety issue or an exhausted drive home at the end of a long day.” The app provides one-touch access to call safety hotlines, report excessive labor hours, submit proof of excessive hours, and read DGA bulletins that detail safety protocols and requirements across a wide variety of filming situations.
We are also engaging in efforts to create and implement an industry-wide system that would allow for the “Safety For Sarah” logo to be added to the end credits of films and TV shows that have upheld all appropriate safety standards during physical production. To see an example of this kind of acknowledgement, watch the end credits of Furious 7.
Awareness – The SJFF strongly encourages 1st ADs everywhere to call the first shot of the day “the Jonesy” in honor of Sarah, as a way to remind crew members to remain vigilant about safety on set. The SJFF also works closely with the Slates For Sarah social media and photo campaign to keep Sarah’s memory present on TV and film sets all over the world. Wristbands and T-shirts with the slogan “We Are Sarah Jones” help spread the word about the importance of crew safety.
To raise funds for its work, the SJFF presents an annual Field Day and Walk for Safety in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City on the first Sunday in October. This celebration of Sarah Jones’ life brings together crew members, their friends and families, and other members of the film community in a mutually supportive atmosphere.
Education – Through panel discussions, media coverage, and “on-set safety grants” for filmmakers, we are raising the profile of safety concerns in the entertainment industry.
Our intention is to help shape a production culture that consistently and rigorously prioritizes safe working conditions for every member of the crew. Since culture change can happen from the ground up, our grants are designated for student filmmakers who might otherwise be forced to consider standard on-set safety practices (such as properly permitted locations, on-set medics, security officers, fire department representatives, street closures, etc.) to be a luxury as opposed to a necessity.
FAQs:
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If I feel unsafe on set, who can I call?
• Call the ICG (Local 600) Safety Hotline at 877-424-4685 or the DGA Safety Hotline at 800- 342-3457. The free Set Safety app lists info for additional safety-related resources.
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Is the Sarah Jones Film Foundation on social media?
• We currently reach out on social media via other groups who honor Sarah’s legacy. You can follow @SlatesForSarah and use the hashtag #WeAreSarahJones on Twitter. On Facebook, visit Slates for Sarah (SlatesForSarah.org) or We Are Sarah Jones.
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Are those social media accounts and groups run by the Foundation?
• No. The Foundation deeply appreciates the ongoing support and efforts of groups such as Slates For Sarah, Pledge To Sarah, and the We Are Sarah Jones PSA campaign; however, those groups exist and act separately from the Foundation itself.
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What about the Sarah Jones Opportunity? Is that part of the Foundation?
• No, but we are honored that it exists. The Sarah Jones Opportunity is a yearly camera trainee program, created in Sarah’s memory, offered in Atlanta and administered through a team effort by Warner Bros. Television, Sim Digital and IATSE Local 600.
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How can I help the Foundation?
• As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), we gratefully accept tax-deductible online donations via SafetyForSarah.com.
• We also welcome volunteers and in-kind donations for our annual Field Day – please contact us via the website for more info.
• If you are a film student, ask your program administrators to offer coursework that specifically provides on-set safety training.
• Also, when you purchase and wear a Safety For Sarah t-shirt from our website, you not only contribute funds towards our work, but you help keep Sarah’s memory alive by reminding others to be aware of and accountable for safety on set.
