Theblackandblue.com posted this very relatable documentary directed by Haskell Wexler, DOP; about what it means to be in the film industry, specifically in America, and working egregious hours just to make a living, and how there aren’t more regulations in the industry about time limits.
For those of you in the film industry, you know as well as I, that 12+ hours on set is a typical work day, and for anyone who’s worked 14-15-16 (hell, my longest was 21) hours with barely a 10 hour turn-around knows, it can get pretty dangerous. Especially given how many days in a row one works consecutively.
The film does a really great job of addressing that we [filmmakers] in the industry don’t typically like to be seen as complainers, and how, despite how dangerous it can get, we’re willing to put our health and safety on the line, working long hours several days in a row, just to make end’s meet, so that we may get on the next gig. And while I personally love the long hours into the night (honestly, I wouldn’t trade my career for anything… except for the lack in funds this job provides), it does become a waning and exhausting experience when you’ve worked 6 days in a row, you’re behind schedule, the food is mediocre, and you know that today, today, you’ll go at least 14 or more hours on the job.
Maybe something needs to be done. Maybe the unions need to get involved. Maybe we are just a bunch of complainers who can’t get a grip on reality and can’t appreciate what we’ve got. Who knows? All I know, is that I don’t want to spend another 3 days off and 1 day in the hospital again because I over-worked myself after a 21 hour shoot that lead to a 104+ degree temperature. But maybe I’m just crazy. Or maybe the countless accidents from sleep deprivation just don’t mean much.
Watch this documentary (it was surprisingly compelling), and tell me something doesn’t need to be done.
This was shared by a First AD colleague I worked with a few years ago.
