Brett Pawlak

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Brett Pawlak is an American cinematographer known for his work on independent and mainstream films. A frequent collaborator of director Destin Daniel Cretton, he gained recognition for his cinematography on Short Term 12 (2013), where he used handheld camerawork and natural lighting to create a realistic aesthetic.

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In 2016, he served as the cinematographer for the pilot episode of This Is Us , establishing the show's visual style. Pawlak later reunited with Cretton for Just Mercy (2019), which featured a character-driven cinematographic approach. In 2023, he was announced as the director of photography for Marvel Studios' Wonder Man .

Career

In 2013, Pawlak served as the cinematographer for Short Term 12 , collaborating with director Destin Daniel Cretton to develop a naturalistic visual style. Having previously worked with Cretton on the original Short Term 12 short film and I Am Not a Hipster , Pawlak employed handheld camerawork and available light to enhance the film’s realism. [1] His cinematography for the film received positive recognition for its naturalistic approach. His visual style allowed for fluid movement within scenes, contributing to the film’s blend of humor and emotional depth. [2]

In 2016, Pawlak served as the cinematographer for the pilot episode of This Is Us , helping to establish the visual tone of the series. His work introduced a handheld shooting style that facilitated seamless transitions between different time periods, a key element of the show's narrative structure. When the series was officially ordered, Yasu Tanida took over as the primary cinematographer but retained aspects of Pawlak’s stylistic approach, including the use of handheld camerawork across eras. [3]

In 2019, Pawlak served as the cinematographer for Just Mercy , his fourth consecutive feature-length collaboration with director Destin Daniel Cretton. [4] Pawlak’s cinematography for the film received positive industry recognition for its intimate and character-driven visual style. His work contributed to the film’s emotional depth and portrayal of its legal drama. While Just Mercy was not nominated at Camerimage that year, Pawlak’s cinematography was noted in discussions on the film-versus-digital debate. [5]

In 2023, Pawlak was announced as the director of photography for Marvel Studios' streaming series Wonder Man . The series reunites Pawlak with executive producer Destin Daniel Cretton. [6]

Filmography

Short film

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2005UnderexposedWade Alexander
2006A Change Is Gonna ComeValerie Kemp
2007Seventh & HillRyan PostasShared credit with Ryan Postas
God's ChildrenAlex J. Flores
2008Short Term 12 Destin Daniel Cretton
The EndMiguel Alejandro Gomez
2009RefrigeratorJim Revis
Pawned Randal Kirk II
2010L.T.D.Trever James
Luke Rold
Synthetic_WorldSlavik IA
Apt. 5Luke Guidici
2012Weak: This Old ManTy Higgins
2013Play Date with Kumail Nanjiani Part 2Matty Smith
Gays Beware with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and George TakeiLP
The Final Moments of Karl BrantM. Francis Wilson
2014Jabbawockeez: Regenerate Kevin Tancharoen
2016It's Been Like a YearCameron Fay
2018End of the Line Jessica Sanders
2020WeakTy Higgins

Feature film

Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleDirector
2007Hand in HandIris Green
The Jinn
2009ShadowmanFabrice Devevre
2012 I Am Not a Hipster Destin Daniel Cretton
2013 Short Term 12
2014 Hellion Kat Candler
2015 The Wannabe Nick Sandow
We Are Your Friends Max Joseph
The Meddler Lorene Scafaria
2016 All We Had Katie Holmes
Max Steel Stewart Hendler
2017 MDMA Angie Wang
The Glass Castle Destin Daniel Cretton
Unicorn Store Brie Larson
2018 Life Itself Dan Fogelman
Instant Family Sean Anders
2019 Just Mercy Destin Daniel Cretton
2020 The 24th Kevin Willmott
2022 A Jazzman's Blues Tyler Perry
2026 Spider-Man: Brand New Day Destin Daniel Cretton
TBA He Bled Neon Drew Kirsch

Television

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2011Pretty Tough Stewart Hendler
2011-2013H+
2012 Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
2016 This Is Us John Requa
Glenn Ficarra
Episode "Pilot"
2018Shatterbox Jessica Sanders Episode "End of the Line"
2019Lovestruck Sanaa Hamri TV movie
2020 Next John Requa
Glenn Ficarra
Tim Hunter
Eduardo Sánchez
Amanda Marsalis
Adam Arkin
Joe Chappelle
Brad Turner
9 episodes
2021 The Republic of Sarah Kat Candler Episode "Pilot"
2022 Echoes Li Lu
Valerie Weiss
Episodes "Party", "Body" and "Falls"
2023 American Born Chinese Destin Daniel Cretton Episode "What Guy Are You"
2025 Wonder Man

References

  1. "Short Term 12 cinematographer Brett Pawlak". deep fried movies. 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  2. Goldberg, Matt (2013-08-23). "SHORT TERM 12 Review Starring Brie Larson". Collider. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  3. "Extended Family". Panavision. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  4. "The Whole of Ourselves: Tim Blake Nelson and Karan Kendrick on Just Mercy | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  5. Heuring, David (2019-11-01). "Shooting on Digital or Film a Defining Choice for Oscar-Contending Cinematographers". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  6. Murphy, Charles (2023-04-03). "'Just Mercy' Director of Photography Brett Pawlak Joins 'Wonder Man'". Murphy's Multiverse. Retrieved 2025-03-15.