Erik Messerschmidt

Erik Messerschmidt
Messerschmidt in 2023
Born (1980-10-23) October 23, 1980 (age 44)
Portland, Maine, U.S.
Alma materEmerson College
OccupationCinematographer
Years active2001–present
OrganizationAmerican Society of Cinematographers
Spouse
Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos
​
​
(m. 2020)​
WebsiteOfficial website

Erik Messerschmidt, ASC (born October 23, 1980)[1] is an American cinematographer. He is best known for his collaborations with director David Fincher on the films Mank and The Killer (as director of photography) and Gone Girl (as gaffer), and on the Netflix series Mindhunter. He has also shot episodes of the TV series Fargo, Legion, and Raised by Wolves.[2] His work has been nominated for an Emmy. In April 2021, he won the top ASC Award and the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Mank.[3]

Career

After relocating to Los Angeles, Messerschmidt served as a gaffer on TV series such as Bones, Everybody Hates Chris, and Mad Men. He also gained experience as a director of photography during this time, shooting commercials, short films, and documentaries. Messerschmidt had a working relationship with cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, who recommended him to director David Fincher. Fincher hired Messerschmidt as a gaffer on Gone Girl and, later, as director of photography for most episodes of Mindhunter and Mank.[4][5][6] With Mindhunter, Messerschmidt explained that the color palette, "has a desaturated green-yellow look... [it] helps give the show its period feel". He stated the effect is achieved through production design, costumes and filming locations—not necessarily through lighting used on set.[7][8]

Personal life

Messerschmidt was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in Cape Elizabeth.[9][10] He studied film production at Emerson College in Boston, where he was a classmate of filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar and served as co-director of photography on Zagar's award-winning indie documentary In a Dream (2008).[11] In May 2020, he married Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos.[12][13]

Filmography

Documentary film

Year Title Director Notes
2008 In a Dream Jeremiah Zagar Shared credit with Mark Stetz

Feature film

Year Title Director Notes
2020 Mank David Fincher
2022 Devotion J. D. Dillard
2023 The Killer David Fincher
Ferrari Michael Mann

Television

Year Title Director(s) Notes
2017–2019 Mindhunter David Fincher
Andrew Douglas
Asif Kapadia
Tobias Lindholm
Carl Franklin
Andrew Dominik 		16 episodes
2018–2019 Legion Noah Hawley
Dana Gonzales
John Cameron 		S2.E9 - Chapter 17
S2.E10 - Chapter 18
S3.E8 - Chapter 27
2020 Fargo Dana Gonzales S4.E11 - "Storia Americana"
Raised by Wolves Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
James Hawes 		S1.E5 - "Infected Memory"
S1.E6 - "Lost Paradise"
S1.E9 - "Umbilical"
2025 Dope Thief Ridley Scott[14]

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
2008 Camerimage Golden Frog In a Dream
(Shared with Mark Stetz) 		Nominated [15]
2020 Academy Awards Best Cinematography Mank Won [16]
American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Won [3] [17]
Satellite Awards Best Cinematography Won
BAFTA Awards Best Cinematography Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Best Cinematography Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Cinematography Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Best Cinematography Won [18]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography Mindhunter
(For "Episode 6") 		Nominated [19]
2023 Camerimage Golden Frog Ferrari Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Cinematography Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Erik E Messerschmidt". FamilySearch. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Erik Messerschmidt, ASC, Director of Photography" (PDF). DDA Talent. DDA. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Tangcay, Jazz (April 18, 2021). "'Mank' Wins Top Honor at ASC Awards". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Sharf, Zack (June 12, 2020). "'Mank' Producer Says Fincher's New Film Feels Like a 1930s Movie: 'It's an Incredible Piece'". IndieWire. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Nine Inch Nails: 9 Things We Learned from Our Visit to Trent Reznor's Studio". Revolver. December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Chitwood, Adam (September 5, 2020). "First 'Mank' Images Reveal David Fincher's Netflix Movie About the Making of 'Citizen Kane'". Collider. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Nedomansky, Vashi. "David Fincher: Into The Darkness | VashiVisuals Blog". Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. ^ O'Falt, Chris (October 19, 2017). "From 'Zodiac' to 'Mindhunter': 5 Visual Elements that Define David Fincher's Cinematic Universe". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Burnham, Emily (April 26, 2021). "Maine native wins Best Cinematography for 'Mank' at Academy Awards". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  10. ^ Routhier, Ray (March 15, 2021). "Cape Elizabeth native gets Oscar nomination for work on 'Mank'". Portland Press-Herald. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "Spotlight on gaffer Erik Messerschmidt". Arri. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "Un paseo de 'désescalade', el Viggo de Celta y planeta Naiara". El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). June 27, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Nnanook on Instagram: "Ya es oficial !!! Nos hemos casado via "zoom". 80 invitados de todas las partes del mundo, desde Sydney a Sudáfrica pasando por Nueva…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Six Days of Reshoots Set For Ridley Scott's 'Sinking Spring'". World of Reel. February 27, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Camerimage Awards
  16. ^ Davis, Clayton (March 11, 2021). "2021 Oscars Predictions: All Awards Categories". Variety. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  17. ^ "ASC Welcomes Erik Messerschmidt as a New Active Member". The American Society of Cinematographers. February 5, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "2020 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Desowitz, Bill (August 21, 2020). "'Mindhunter': Expanding the Visual Aesthetic for Season 2's Atlanta Child Murders". IndieWire. Retrieved September 22, 2020.