Erik Messerschmidt

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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)​
Children1
WebsiteOfficial 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 in Mindhunter (2017-2019), Mank (2020) and The Killer (2023). For Mank, he won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.[3] In 2023, he collaborated for the first time with Michael Mann in Ferrari.

He has also shot episodes of popular TV series, such as Legion, Fargo, Raised by Wolves and Dope Thief.

Career

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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

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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]

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.[14]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Director Notes
2008 In a Dream Jeremiah Zagar Shared credit with Mark Stetz
2020 Mank David Fincher
2022 Devotion J. D. Dillard
2023 The Killer David Fincher
Ferrari Michael Mann
2025 Bono: Stories of Surrender Andrew Dominik Documentary
2026 The Dog Stars † Ridley Scott Post-production
TBA The Adventures of Cliff Booth † David Fincher Filming

Television

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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 		3 episodes
2020 Fargo Dana Gonzales 1 episode
Raised by Wolves Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
James Hawes 		3 episodes
2025 Dope Thief Ridley Scott 1 episode

Awards and recognition

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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 Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases 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
2025 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special Bono: Stories of Surrender Pending

References

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  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. ^ Bennett, Troy R. (January 16, 2025). "Oscar-winning Maine native loses home in LA fires". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  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.
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