Erik Messerschmidt

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).

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.

In May 2020, he married with Spanish journalist from San Sebastian, 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.

Film

Television