Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543070
C I N E M A A U D I O S O C I E T Y. O R G 59 "I think the first time I spoke to Jeff Wexler was immediately after I called Don Coufal when looking for a boom operator for one of my first jobs in Los Angeles. Don was polite in refusing, but Jeff was a little miffed. I quickly learned about the long partnerships between mixers and boom operators. Don recommended Steve Bowerman, beginning the same kind of collaboration for me. (Later, I had a chance to work with Don and learned a lot about their shorthand.) But on the same job, Jeff was instrumental in helping me with my first movie recorded digitally—at a time when the only place for data sound dailies was his transfer house, Northstar. Jeff was a groundbreaker then and continued to be a North Star for me and others trying new technology and methods. In my time on the CAS Board, Jeff has been a guiding light in other ways. And in our last conversation, Jeff showed his mutual appreciation for my work in a way that I will always treasure. I will miss him always." –Peter Kurland CAS "Jeff had always been a presence at the CAS Board meetings ever since I joined in 2006. He was steady, humble, and kind. A real mensch. It would be a number of years before I discovered that he had mixed some of my all-time favorite films! Over the years, I had the pleasure of working with him on various iterations of our CAS Technical Award. I will miss him." –Bob Bronow CAS "He was the exemplar, the prototype, the mixer I always tried to emulate in all ways. I really did often ask myself what he would do in various difficult situations. He was a rare combination of perfectionism and reasonableness, and a friend to soundies everywhere. We owe him huge gratitude for the JWSound forum, which he started and kept going entirely on his own to all of our benefit. RIP JW." –Philip Perkins CAS "I met Jeff Wexler before I knew who he was. We were randomly seated together at a CAS Awards dinner. I was still working in Washington, D.C., and this was my first trip to see the Hollywood greats. Jeff was warm, curious, and entirely present. He asked thoughtful questions about my life and work, told stories about his childhood, and never once gestured toward the gravity of his own legacy—neither as the son of a historically significant filmmaker nor as a quiet revolutionary, fearless force, technological innovator, community builder, and legendary talent in the field of production sound. He was generous in the truest sense: introducing me to people, making space, offering connection without transaction. It wasn't until he stepped away and the rest of the table filled me in that I realized who I had just spent the evening with. I was stunned, not by his stature, but by his humility. In the years that followed, Jeff and I served the community together, and he remained a steady, humanizing presence during some of the most difficult chapters of my professional life. In moments thick with politics and fear, Jeff extended trust in my intentions. He would openly listen, relate, and offer perspective. I never heard him speak harshly about anyone. Instead, he practiced a rare discipline: understanding people by first granting them dignity. He modeled that it is possible to be influential without being intimidating or infallible, successful without being self-important, and deeply creative while remaining deeply good. Jeff once told me that I was 'one of the good ones,' a compliment that echoes deep in my heart and has remained a touchstone, reminding me to choose to be steadfast to my values even under pressure and public scrutiny. Jeff Wexler, you were unmistakably 'one of the good ones.' You will be missed. Your kindness multiplied, inspiring others, and your influence will endure." –Karol Urban CAS MPSE