A letter, written by 14 of the most acclaimed cinematographers, aimed at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, demands to increase daily rest periods on movie sets. The letter titled “The hazards of unsafe working hours” is a result of long working hours on film sets, that has caused “numerous car accidents” in recent years.

The most difficult job in the world

Working on a film set looks like a crazy ongoing mission. We all know that this is a tough industry and not for the faint of heart. The long working hours (14-18 hours per day) can cause extreme fatigue, which can lead to dangerous situations, especially when driving back home. Thus, top cinematographers picked up the gauntlet and wrote a letter to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The letter demands to create meaningful change now and to increase daily rest periods and implement weekend rest periods to ensure the physical and mental health of every member of the crew. Read it below

The letter

Title: “The hazards of unsafe working hours”

Content: “We are Local 600 Directors of Photography who are writing to express our ongoing concern about the hazards of unsafe working hours, a practice that continues despite all the medical and indisputable evidence of the harm caused by fatigue,” their letter says. “Most notable are the numerous car accidents our colleagues have suffered in recent years, including the weekend before we entered these negotiations. This past year has shown that when employers and craftspeople work together to confront a worldwide safety threat, it is possible to both protect everyone on our sets and successfully complete the most ambitious projects. It is past time to use that same intelligence and resources, now proven to be available, to increase daily rest periods and implement weekend rest periods to ensure the physical and mental health of every member of the crew. The time to create meaningful change is now.”

The letter was signed by:

• John Toll, two-time Oscar winner for Braveheart and Legends of the Fall
• Roger Deakins, two-time Oscar winner for 1917 and Blade Runner 2049
• Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki, three-time Oscar winner for Birdman, Gravity and The Revenant Erik Messerschmidt, Oscar winner for Mank
• John Lindley, president of the Cinematographers Guild (Your Honor, Manhunt)
• Paul Cameron (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Total Recall)
• Jim Denault (Yellowstone, Law & Order: Organized Crime)
• Ellen Kuras (Pretend It’s a City, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
• Donald A. Morgan (The Connors, Last Man Standing)
• Rodrigo Prieto (The Irishman, Brokeback Mountain)
• Eric Steelberg (Juno, Dolemite Is My Name)
• Amy Vincent (Eve’s Bayou, Hustle & Flow)
• Mandy Walker (Mulan, Hidden Figures)
• Robert Yeoman (Bridesmaids, The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Thoughts

This is not the first time this subject is addressed. Working on a set is one of the most intensive hard-working environments that exist. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a dream job, but at the same time, it’s demanding as hell. Researches and shreds of evidence show a significant connection between car accidents and long working hours. Also, the self-ambition to be the best in what you do fades fatigue and exhaustion, which come at one blow when you return home after work.

What are your thoughts about this letter? Do you agree?