"who needs sleep?" directed by haskell wexler, asc

on march 11, 1997, after working a 19 hour day on the set of "pleasantville", assistant cameraman brent hershman was killed after he fell asleep at the wheel on his way home from set.  academy award winning cinematographer, and d.p. royalty, haskell wexler's "who needs sleep?" is an insiders quest to find out why the film industry continues to put it's work force at risk with unhealthy work hours, and who, if anybody, caries the moral obligation and authority to change the current work culture.  

best known for lensing such canonical films as "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" and "who's afraid of virginia woolf?", wexler has also made a name for himself as an advocate.  "who need's sleep?" was a seven year task for wexler, which includes interviews with everyone from script supervisors, electricians, gaffers, and their families, to informal chats between wexler and union heads, cinematographers, and stars like julia roberts and billy crystal.  haskell's "godfather"-ish status in the industry, affords him access, candor, and authority to explore the topic.  he himself has been a party as both a crew member, director, and producer on film sets where long hours were the norm.

after hershman's death, many in the industry, both above and below the line, publicly cried for reform.  wexler's long-time friend, academy award winning cinematographer conrad hall, even went as far as to lead the movement by drafting a statement of reform that he wished to be adopted by the american society of cinematographers, the IATSE unions, and the screen, writers, and directors guilds.  the amazing thing is, that despite unanimous consent, there was a reluctance to agree for civilized work practices, such as a 14 hour work day.  motion pictures may be the only industry where the workers are fighting for a 14 hour work day.  

wexler asks the questions that many are afraid to ask, for fear that they will not be hired on future projects.  in the twilight of his career, wexler seems intent on not only leaving behind a beautiful catalogue of work behind him, but a legacy of reform.  the film does not whine or complain, teach or stump, but instead is a brazen behind the scenes look at the brokenness of one of the most glamorous industries in the world.

12 on 12 off website

haskell wexler's personal website