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The first episode of Dark Winds Season 3, called "Ye'iitsoh," ends with a touching dedication to Joe Bufalino III. If you don't know the name, Joe Bufalino III was an assistant director in New Mexico's film industry.
Joe passed away in August 2023. His work on Dark Winds and other projects really made a difference to the local film scene. His death came as a shock to everyone and had a big impact on the show's team. That's why they decided to pay tribute to him right at the start of the new season.
Here's all we know about Joe Bufalino III.
Dark Winds Season 3's Joe Bufalino III was a young film industry leader in New Mexico
Joe Bufalino III had a notable career as an assistant director in New Mexico's booming film and TV sector.
As per Screen Rant, he became the youngest first assistant director in the state at just 32. Besides his work on Dark Winds, he also collaborated with Zahn McClarnon, a star of the show, on Longmire.
Bufalino was highly dedicated to his work and had strong connections in the industry. His kindness and support made him a cherished colleague. Although IMDb didn't list him in the Dark Winds cast, TVMaze showed him as a second assistant director for the series.
His impact was significant both on and off the set, as he guided junior crew members and worked on various local productions. Sadly, Bufalino's flourishing career ended when he took his own life on August 17, 2023.
His mother, Pam Rosen, revealed to Straits Times that the stress from the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes had deeply affected him.
She explained,
“He really truly needed to work. At the point that he died, he saw no future.”
This shows the difficulties that people face, especially those not in the spotlight. These workers rely on continuous production to support themselves.
The impact of Joe Bufalino III’s death on Hollywood’s working class
Bufalino's tragic death reminds us of the tough times film and TV crew members have faced in recent years. The pandemic caused industry shutdowns, which hit these workers hard. Unlike famous actors, many crew members live from paycheck to paycheck. They rely on steady work to manage their lives.
In 2023, strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA made things worse. These strikes caused long breaks in work, leaving people jobless. The industry hasn't fully recovered yet; many are still struggling. Some crew members who used to enjoy busy work lives have ended up homeless.
Bufalino's story, found on the French Funerals website, shows he was a dedicated and cheerful person. He was passionate about his work and was known for making everyone laugh. His hard work got him into the Directors Guild of America. Despite his success, he faced the same challenges as many others in his field.
His obituary stated:
"To know Joey was to love him. He was so incredibly treasured by his family, friends, and all those who depended on him.”
After Dark Winds Season 3 Episode 1 showed how much he meant to the industry and reminded his colleagues of their great loss.
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Dark Winds Season 3 is available on AMC+ and airs on AMC.
Next up: Season 3 has two unexpected cameos | AMC's renewal of Season 4
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