By Michael Frediani, SOC
The titans of our industry gained another member in the heavens above. On December 27, 2015, Haskell passed away in his sleep. I had the pleasure of knowing him since 2004 when I joined forces with Haskell and others in working towards a stronger union, International Cinematographers Guild Local 600. (He did NOT like the denotation of guild). “We are supposed to be a union, are we not?” he would often say at meetings. I recall telling him, “Haskell, I want to be like you when I grow up.”
What a giant of a man who stood tall in our industry: A champion for human rights and also for the safety of the innumerable people who spend countless hours on the set, often returning to work without enough sleep. He was certainly the most consistent in convictions of anyone I’ll ever know. As I told him on his 90th birthday, “Haskell, you are the Woody Guthrie of the movie industry.”
Heaven is now a bit more beautiful being lit by his presence.
Here is what the ASC published about him: http://www.theasc.com/site/news/in-memoriam-haskell-wexler-asc-1922-2015/
It was our privilege to bestow our SOC Governors Lifetime Achievement Award to Haskell in 2007 making him an Honorary member of the organization. Click here to see all past award recipients.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Frediani, SOC
