Erik Messerschmidt
Erik Messerschmidt | |
|---|---|
Messerschmidt in 2023 | |
| Born | October 23, 1980 Portland, Maine, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Emerson College |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Organization | American Society of Cinematographers |
| Spouse |
Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos
(m. 2020) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | Official website |
Erik Messerschmidt, ASC (born October 23, 1980)[1] is an American cinematographer.[2]
He is best known for his collaborations with director David Fincher, winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Mank (2020).[3]
Career
After relocating to Los Angeles, Messerschmidt served as a gaffer on TV series like Bones, Everybody Hates Chris, and Mad Men. He also gained experience as a director of photography while shooting commercials, short films, and documentaries.
Messerschmidt had a working relationship with cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, who recommended him to David Fincher. Fincher hired him as a gaffer on Gone Girl and, later, as director of photography for most episodes of Mindhunter.[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]
In 2024, he shot an advertisement for the virtual reality game Batman: Arkham Shadow.[9]
He is set to serve as the cinematographer of The Batman: Part II (2027) for director Matt Reeves,[10] replacing Greig Fraser.
Personal life
Messerschmidt was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in Cape Elizabeth.[11][12]
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).[13]
In May 2020, he married Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos.[14][15]
In January 2025, Messerschmidt's home in Altadena, California was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. He was in Spain with Eizaguirre-Paulos and their newborn daughter at the time.[16]
Filmography
Film
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | In a Dream | Jeremiah Zagar | With Mark Stetz |
| 2025 | Bono: Stories of Surrender | Andrew Dominik |
Feature film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mank | David Fincher | |
| 2022 | Devotion | J. D. Dillard | |
| 2023 | The Killer | David Fincher | |
| Ferrari | Michael Mann | ||
| 2026 | The Dog Stars † | Ridley Scott | Post-production |
| The Adventures of Cliff Booth † | David Fincher | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Episode(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
"Chapter 17"; "Chapter 18"; "Chapter 27" |
| 2020 | Fargo | Dana Gonzales | "Storia Americana" |
| Raised by Wolves | Sergio Mimica-Gezzan James Hawes |
"Infected Memory"; "Lost Paradise"; "Umbilical" | |
| 2025 | Dope Thief | Ridley Scott | "Jolly Ranchers" |
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Camerimage | Golden Frog | In a Dream (Shared with Mark Stetz) |
Nominated | [17] |
| 2020 | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | Mank | Won | [18] |
| American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography | Won | [3][19] | ||
| 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 | [20] | ||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Cinematography | Mindhunter (For "Episode 6") |
Nominated | [21] | |
| 2023 | Camerimage | Golden Frog | Ferrari | Nominated | |
| Satellite Awards | Best Cinematography | Nominated | |||
| 2025 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special |
Bono: Stories of Surrender | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Erik E Messerschmidt". FamilySearch. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Erik Messerschmidt, ASC, Director of Photography" (PDF). DDA Talent. DDA. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Tangcay, Jazz (April 18, 2021). "'Mank' Wins Top Honor at ASC Awards". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Nine Inch Nails: 9 Things We Learned from Our Visit to Trent Reznor's Studio". Revolver. December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nedomansky, Vashi. "David Fincher: Into The Darkness | VashiVisuals Blog". Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nudd, Tim (October 29, 2024). "Meta's artful Batman: Arkham Shadow spot lets viewers become the Caped Crusader". Ad Age. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Chitwood, Adam (December 2, 2025). "The Batman: Part II Nabs Oscar-Winning Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt". TheWrap. Archived from the original on December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Routhier, Ray (March 15, 2021). "Cape Elizabeth native gets Oscar nomination for work on 'Mank'". Portland Press-Herald. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ "Spotlight on gaffer Erik Messerschmidt". Arri. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Un paseo de 'désescalade', el Viggo de Celta y planeta Naiara". El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). June 27, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Bennett, Troy R. (January 16, 2025). "Oscar-winning Maine native loses home in LA fires". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ Camerimage Awards
- ^ Davis, Clayton (March 11, 2021). "2021 Oscars Predictions: All Awards Categories". Variety. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ "ASC Welcomes Erik Messerschmidt as a New Active Member". The American Society of Cinematographers. February 5, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ "2020 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ Desowitz, Bill (August 21, 2020). "'Mindhunter': Expanding the Visual Aesthetic for Season 2's Atlanta Child Murders". IndieWire. Retrieved September 22, 2020.