Creative COW with Erik Messerschmidt: A Labor of Light
data-src=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c562aaf4-bpthumb.jpg data-srcset=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c561c0e7-bpfull.jpg 2x class=lazyload avatar avatar-80 photo height=80 width=80 />
Brie Clayton May 14, 2021
0 Comments
Mank could have easily been a parody of old school Hollywood, but Erik Messerschmidt and David Fincher weren't going to let that happen. They went for broke on thoroughly reproduced sets, meticulous lighting, smoke filled offices, energetic conversations, and characters that breathe.
Once Mank opens its first scene, the scenery and intelligent dialogue make it hard to look away. As much as I thought I knew about San Simeon, having grown up ten minutes away from Hearst Castle, it was exciting to look into the bygone era when this California location was a lively hotbed of social chemistry, and parties, and movie creation, rather than just a stale museum where no one can touch the furniture.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-1024x466.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2410245 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-1024x466.jpg 1024w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-300x137.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-768x349.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-624x284.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-50x23.jpg 50w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200-100x46.jpg 100w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043251/Mank_Reel1_OnlineGrade_NoGrain_cropped_v23.0035306_1200.jpg 1200w data-sizes=(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px />
When preparing to speak with Erik Messerschmidt, I would almost get lost working back through the layers of filmmakers contributing to this story. Mank pays homage to the legend Gregg Toland's game-changing eye for cinematography. The dynamism between Toland, Orson Welles and the writer Herman J. Mankiewicz would be recrafted 80 years later by this modern team of David Fincher and Erik Messerschmidt, with Jack Fincher writing the screenplay.
In mid April 2021 Erik Messerschmidt took the ASC Award for Outstanding Cinematography, and then in May, deservedly, the Best Achievement in Cinematography Oscar for his lensing of the period piece Mank.
Despite his youthful appearance, Erik's film career has already spanned decades, working his way up through the ranks as a grip, an electrician, and a number of years as a gaffer. Some of his gaffer work included Gone Girl, as well as DP on Mindhunter, with Fincher, further developing that relationship till the day when David asked Erik if he wanted to shoot this next project, Mank, and Erik said Of course I want to shoot the movie!
Mank, Erik's first cinematography role outside of television, his first movie as DP, has won multiple awards this year. What kind of heavenly dream must that be for any cinematographer? Who hits a grand slam at their first baseball game?
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-1024x684.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2410241 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-300x200.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-768x513.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-624x417.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-50x33.jpg 50w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200-100x67.jpg 100w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/14043101/DEC_10_00375_1200.jpg 1200w data-sizes=(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px />
I'd like to congratulate you, this is quite an accomplishment in a very short period of time. You must be blown away by the whole thing!
Erik Messerschmidt: Yeah it's been overwhelming. It's pretty special, and humbling for sure.
I can tell you, honestly, I knew that you were going to win, but that's just between me and you.
Erik: (laughs)
How did you make this step from television to film?
Erik: I've been going between feature films and and television and commercials as a crew member for a couple decades, and I never differentiated much between films and television, other than just what the realities of the storytelling was.
If television is different from feature films, it's because of the length. I mean, I think particularly today we are somewhat living in the golden the Golden Age of television. The step from television to feature film isn't isn't always a step up as it is often, or certainly as it has been considered in the past. It is considered a side step in many ways.
But, do you see a difference in the setups that you do for your television shots compared to what you would do for Mank?
Erik: Well, we had more time to make the movie. And in terms of page count, that is for sure true. But, that that didn't lead to any more time for the cinematographer I can assure you! (laughs). I used every bit of the available time we had, and I would
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
29/09/2026
Oak View Group (OVG) has announced Cisco as an Official Technology Partner, with plans to standardize infrastructure across its venue network on Cisco solutions...
29/09/2026
SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) won three honors at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
Program awards went to Bucs BP in the Sports Program Live category (produced ...
29/09/2026
The Professional Women's Hockey League has announced home openers for all 12 teams for the 2026-27 season, along with a broadcast partnership with CBC under...
29/09/2026
Manifold technologies has been recognized as a contributor to the Media eXchange...
29/09/2026
FuboTV has announced My Local Sports, allowing subscribers in select markets to add their local regional sports network (RSN) as an add-on to a Fubo Sports subs...
29/09/2026
Asian News International (ANI), a wire agency and video news provider based in India, has deployed Grass Valley's AMPP Media Operating System and Framelight...
29/09/2026
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has deployed Ikegami UHK-X600 cameras as part of an upgrade to IP-based production infrastructure. The deployment ...
29/09/2026
REMI, REMCO models will drive the bulk of the broadcaster's NHL productions ...
29/09/2026
Three years in, the facility is supporting more centralized race production, com...
29/09/2026
NBC, Peacock, and NBSN are carrying all four Wild Card series with a production ...
29/09/2026
19 Nonfiction Projects Across All Stages of Production to Receive More Than $1 million in Support as Documentary Film Program Approaches 25th Anniversary
LOS ...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
29/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Ikegami announces that the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, has chosen Ikegami UHK-X600 camera systems as part of an advance to IP-based operation ...
29/09/2026
Blendkit Offers 20% Discount to Celebrate Crossing 150K Asset Milestone
Brie Clayton September 29, 2026
0 Comments
Blendkit, the largest 3D asset libr...
29/09/2026
Interactive streaming specialist Ease Live supported more than 76.5 million fan sessions across three major European media operators during this summers FIFA Wo...
29/09/2026
Ease Live has added support for VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) to its graphical overlay technology, opening up new ways for broadcasters, streamers and rights...
29/09/2026
Rise AV has announced the launch of the inaugural Rise AV Awards, a new global awards programme celebrating the women, advocates and organisations across the AV...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Clear-Com announced that First Baptist Nashville has upgraded its production communications with a Clear-Com intercom solution as part of a comprehensive sanct...
29/09/2026
Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Captured Action Shots for Sketch
Brie Clayton September 28, 2026
0 Comments
Camera's portable design and dynamic range...
29/09/2026
Kean Production Services Deploys AJA ColorBox to Deliver Consistent, Accurate Co...
29/09/2026
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards A total of 28 Berklee alumni and faculty earned nominations across 20 categories this ye...
29/09/2026
Berklee's K-Pop & Beyond Explores Connections Between K-Pop and Hip-Hop Now in its fifth year, the series brings together artists, industry leaders, and s...
29/09/2026
We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...
29/09/2026
Today, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Apple relea...
29/09/2026
Final Cut Camera, the professional filming app for iPhone, receives a major upda...
29/09/2026
RT lyric fm is proud to announce the annual Choirs for Christmas competition callout. Warm up those vocal chords and join us on RT lyric fm for a celebration ...
28/09/2026
The NHL has announced Adobe as an Official Creative, Marketing and AI Partner beginning with the 2026-27 season. The partnership will provide the league and its...
28/09/2026
MultiDyne will exhibit at CABSAT 2026 (October 5-7, Dubai Exhibition Centre), showcasing an expanded technology portfolio following its June 2026 acquisition of...
28/09/2026
ARRI and HONOR have announced the HONOR Magic9 Pro Max, a flagship smartphone carrying ARRI branding on the device and packaging as the first product-level expr...
28/09/2026
Net Insight has added the Nimbra 1020G to its pan-Asian live media trial network, giving customers and partners in the region a way to evaluate ST 2110 and JPEG...
28/09/2026
Vindral has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology and Engineering Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of We...
28/09/2026
Interra Systems will exhibit at CABSAT 2026 (Stand B2-37, Dubai Exhibition Centre, October 5-7), demonstrating its BATON QC platform, ORION monitoring solutions...
28/09/2026
Two years into its new production facility, the TOUR is expanding centralized wo...
Creative COW with Erik Messerschmidt: A Labor of Light 
