Erik Messerschmidt

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

He is best known for his collaborations with director David Fincher, winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Mank (2020).

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.

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.

In 2024, he shot an advertisement for the virtual reality game Batman: Arkham Shadow.

He is set to serve as the cinematographer of The Batman: Part II (2027) for director Matt Reeves, replacing Greig Fraser.

Personal life

Messerschmidt was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in Cape Elizabeth.

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).

In May 2020, he married Naiara Eizaguirre-Paulos.

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.

Filmography

Film

Documentary film

Feature film

Television

Awards and recognition

External links

• at IMDb