Inspiration For My Role

 

Erik Messerschmidt is a director of photography who is famous for directing "Mank" (2020) and "The Killer" (2023). He frequently employs high-contrast illumination, sharp framing, and governed camera movements to achieve a clear visual aesthetic. His collaboration with David Fincher, particularly in black-and-white photography, demonstrates that he is a detail-oriented filmmaker and can contribute to the narration through images.

Taking inspiration from Messerschmidt's camera work, especially his use of lighting and framing, as cameraman for my AS-level media film opening, I replicated his controlled lighting and framing. I wanted to achieve a thriller mood through dramatic light contrasts like he achieves using shadow and highlight to create depth in a scene. I also attempted to have smooth, steady camera movements to create tension, which he frequently does to create suspense. What his project taught me is how each shot can be used to enhance the mood and the storytelling, and I used that in my own project.