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25 scariest things about sleep deprivation


Master Cinematographer Sven Nykvist on the Importance of Working Reasonable Hours

The conversation ranges from his duties as the DP to how his work suffers with fatigue. 

It's interesting that he mentions the working hours in the US, that the United States tends to work insane hours compared to the rest of the world. While lots of productions in Europe try to stick to around 10 hours or less, shows in the States frequently go well beyond that. While Sven wasn't exactly a spring chicken during the BTS footage and the interview, the camera team rarely gets a break, so there is a lot of truth to what he's saying about fatigue.

Note: excuse the subtitles in two languages and the English ones are kind of batty sometimes. 


Who Needs Sleep : Alex Trebek discusses sleep deprivation


Kris Kristofferson on sleep deprivation and LSD


Working Conditions

"A short documentary piece about the working conditions in the film business. Denmark shows how to make films without abusing on long days and to have normal benefits like anyone else in other fields. See it and compare the situation in your country."

WORKING CONDITIONS 2007 from IMAGO - CINEMATOGRAPHERS on Vimeo.

We Are All Sarah Jones

"The Sarah Jones tragedy brings the public’s attention to something that has been going on for a number of years," Wexler said. "Sarah’s father has said -- and I agree with him -- that the only way her death will not be in vain is if we pay serious attention to safety. We are making entertainment and there’s no reason to risk our lives and our health to get a shot."

Wexler, who won Oscars in cinematography for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Bound for Glory, maintains his ’12 On/12 Off’ organization to support his efforts over two decades of promoting safe and responsible filmmaking. On Saturday, he was honored with the Guild’s Humanitarian Award.

“Right now the conditions are not humane,” he said. “Fourteen, 16, 18 hour [workdays] are unsafe and very unhealthy. It also destroys families because there is no home life when you work those kind of hours.”


Several prominent directors speak about the destructive nature of working long hours and the threat to our health and safety

Col. Belenky discusses the consequences of sleep deprivation


The theatrical trailer for Haskell Wexler's documentary, "Who Needs Sleep?"

available on DVD at:  http://www.whoneedssleep.net


Who Needs Sleep? Haskell falls asleep at the wheel while shooting "Who Needs Sleep?"

OSHA directive regarding working long hours