Erik Messerschmidt

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Erik Messerschmidt
Erik Messerschmidt (53254290192) (cropped).jpg
Messerschmidt in 2023
Born (1980-10-23) October 23, 1980 (age 43)
Alma mater Emerson College
Years active2001–present
Organization American Society of Cinematographers
Spouse
Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos
(m. 2020)
Website Official website

Erik Messerschmidt, ASC (born October 23, 1980) [1] is an American cinematographer.

Contents

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

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2008 In a Dream Jeremiah ZagarShared credit with Mark Stetz

Feature film

YearTitleDirector
2020 Mank David Fincher
2022 Devotion J. D. Dillard
2023 The Killer David Fincher
Ferrari Michael Mann

Television

YearTitleDirector(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 GonzalesS4.E11 - "Storia Americana"
Raised by Wolves Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
James Hawes
S1.E5 - "Infected Memory"
S1.E6 - "Lost Paradise"
S1.E9 - "Umbilical"
2024 Sinking Springs Ridley Scott [14]

Awards and recognition

YearAwardCategoryTitleResultRef.
2008 Camerimage Golden FrogIn a Dream
(Shared with Mark Stetz)
Nominated [15]
2020 Academy Awards Best Cinematography MankWon [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]
2023CamerimageGolden FrogFerrariNominated
Satellite AwardsBest CinematographyNominated

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References

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  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.
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  12. "Un paseo de 'désescalade', el Viggo de Celta y planeta Naiara". El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). June 27, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
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