Lean in & Lean On Holiday Party & Toy Drive: 2025 Recap
Our 2025 Lean In & Lean On Holiday Party & Toy Drive on December 13 was an overwhelming success, thanks to the generosity of our members, volunteers, and sister Locals. Nearly 400 families—over 1,500 attendees—joined us for a day filled with smiles, community, and holiday cheer. With the help of 90 volunteers, we distributed 300 food boxes, hundreds of gift cards, and an incredible assortment of toys, ensuring meaningful support for our member families.
The event also raised more than $42,000 to cover gifts, toys, and event costs, featured a new member-maker marketplace with vendors from multiple Locals, and included raffles, food, and festive treats enjoyed by all. From Santa’s Workshop to churros, hot cocoa, and popcorn, the joy was undeniable. Thank you to everyone who helped make this growing tradition such a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.
Operation Warm: Another Successful Drive
Hollywood-based locals partnered with Operation Warm to distribute coats to the children who attended Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology in Moorpark on December 17, 2025. Midwest and East Coast locals have been working with Operation Warm for years, and in turn, inspired the Hollywood locals to volunteer to help keep kids warm during winter.
Operation Warm has been distributing coats and shoes to children for over 26 years. Their motto is to “Give the gift of warmth, confidence, and hope.”
New Members
Local 695 welcomes its new members
Chad Algarin Projectionist
Joshua Beg Y-9
Jess Daily Projectionist
Michael Napoli Y-7a
James Nelson Y-16a
Cole Ryden Y-7a
Bryce Stiell Y-4
Free AVIXA Training through the IATSE Training Trust Fund
Part association, part society, AVIXA provides training and certifications for the constantly evolving world of audiovisual (AV) technologies. Through the IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF)/AVIXA partnership, their Elite Membership tier is free to access for all IATSE members, and includes online AV training. For additional classes, as well as the CTS exam, generous discounts are also on offer. To learn more about these resources and to register for your free AVIXA account, please
visit: https://www.iatsetrainingtrust.org/avixa
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JEFF WEXLER Y-1
April 18, 1947 – December 9, 2025
by Vanessa Withers, Jeff’s daughter
Yesterday, (Tuesday, December 9), our dad, Jeff Wexler, passed away at his home in Santa Monica after years of struggling with chronic kidney disease. He was 78. Losing him is overwhelming, even though we knew his body had been fighting for a long time.
Our dad was kind in a way that felt effortless, generous in a way that asked for nothing back, and endlessly curious about the world. What meant the most to him was his family. He was a source of unwavering support, encouragement, and love, always present for us regardless of his professional commitments.
He also had a life in cinema that shaped who he was. He grew up around film sets as the son of Haskell Wexler, but he carved out his own path. He once thought he would become a sociology teacher, until a summer job on Harold and Maude showed him exactly where he belonged: right there on set, actively listening, creatively contributing, paying attention in the way only he could.
Over the next five decades, he became one of the great Production Sound Mixers, working on more than seventy films. His credits include Coming Home, Fight Club, Almost Famous, The Last Samurai, Jerry Maguire, As Good as It Gets, and so many others. He cared deeply about his craft and was always pushing it forward. He helped usher in new recording technologies long before they became standard. He mentored younger sound people. He loved problem-solving. He loved being part of something bigger than himself.
But the main thing we want people to know is that he was a great dad. Someone who showed up for us. A man of quiet integrity, whose deep and comprehensive exploration of the human condition was evident in all he did. He loved film for its ability to connect people.
Our stepmom, Carol, passed away earlier this year, and even though losing them both so close together feels surreal, we are grateful they are at peace. We know our dad will be missed far beyond our family. The film community loved him, learned from him, and was inspired by him. We were fortunate to have him as a father, and despite his physical absence, he remains with us always.
With love, Vanessa and David
Steve Nelson
Along with all the richly deserved accolades and loving memories, what is also significant in his legacy is that Jeff was a community builder. JWSoundgroup.net is a place not only for buying, selling, and trading equipment, but where knowledge and expertise is freely shared and passed along. Newbies can ask without fear and be answered by those who know. Jeff was key in making a formerly atomized group of folks all doing the same work, all over the world, and creating a community. Always a generous and lovely soul, he will be missed.
Peter J. Devlin
As so many have said, Jeff created community, and what a legacy he has left. His work speaks to a different era in cinema, and he always embraced technological change. It was in 1999 when I spoke to him in a long telephone call about my concerns in moving to hard disk recording, he told me of his own battles with post production and their adapting to how he wanted to record on set. He soothed my fears and I knew he was always available to talk. His appearance at so many events, Zooms, and sound gatherings spoke to how he was so invested in this art form and he gave so much to us. He will be sorely missed and I know that any time in the future when I watch his films, I will feel fortunate to have met him and know that his work influenced so many of us.
Simon Hayes
Rather than write about his gargantuan contribution to the film industry & sound mixing which really goes beyond words, I’m going to write what he meant to me.
Jeff was someone who has inspired me since I started my journey as a Mixer. I would read interviews with him and scour journals and articles for his thoughts and workflows as a 20-year-old. I followed his career in awe.
When I finally found myself in a unique and unexpected situation: being thrust into a spotlight with Les Miserables being recognized internationally, it was Jeff who first reached out and wanted to know all about it. It was like Pelé contacting a young footballer: one of the globe’s most revered and storied Sound Mixers wanted to talk to me about my work. I was completely taken aback.
Jeff told me I’d be coming to LA: He called it, and told me the moment I arrived he wanted to meet up. We had lunch in his favorite restaurant in Santa Monica and spent the afternoon telling film stories and laughing.
It was the start of a beautiful friendship & mentorship. We were constantly in touch and each time I went to LA, we’d meet and laugh. It was like we’d known each other forever. Jeff was so generous, so inviting. So eager to share his thoughts and always seemed very interested in my opinions. He was an extremely important person in my journey.
Thank you, Jeff, for everything. I will miss you greatly. Our industry and craft lost one of the greats. Rest in peace, Jeff. Until we meet again.
Whit Norris
Jeff was a good friend and colleague. Over the years, we spent many Saturday and Sunday mornings with fellow mixers on Jan McLaughlin’s Zoom group. I greatly benefited from all of his advice, techniques, wisdom, and stories. It was always an honor to sit with him for many years at the CAS Awards, as well as meeting his father, Haskell Wexler.
TRIBUTE TO
Frank Zaragoza Y-8
June 23, 1969 – October 30, 2025
Frank Zaragoza’s legacy is a beautiful blend of kindness, creativity, and a wickedly funny sense of humor. He instilled in us the vital lesson of being present for others, no matter how chaotic life may become. His deep passion for filmmaking drove him to generously offer his time and expertise to support friends in pursuit of their dream projects. At Frank’s Celebration of Life, his family and work family felt exactly the same way about him. We both grieve his loss deeply and find comfort in our happy memories. Our friendship flourished through our shared interests and created countless cherished memories. Go Raiders! May the Force be with you, always.
–Susan Moore-Chong & Dirk Stout
In Memoriam
Thomas Causey – Y-1
12/5/1949 – 1/11/2026
Donald C. Rogers – Y-1
5/4/1931 – 1/4/2026
Jeffrey S. Wexler – Y-1
4/18/1947 – 12/9/2025