MICHAEL PESSAH, ASC // director + cinematographer
Michael M. Pessah, ASC is known for his award winning work in both scripted and documentary filmmaking. His imagery has been noted to combine an avant-garde sensibility with classic visual storytelling.
Early in his career, Outfest named Michael a 'Five in Focus' emerging talent for his cinematography in Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, making him the first cinematographer to receive that recognition and he is one of the few contemporary cinematographers to have photographed multiple black and white features.
Most recently his scripted work includes 'Block Party', 'Smiley Faced Killers', 'Saving Flora' and additional photography on Season 5 of HBO's 'Insecure.'
He filmed the documentaries 'Scandalous' which was nominated for a 2021 Emmy, and 'Viva La Causa' which was shortlisted for a 2009 Academy Award.
He has filmed music videos for artists including Halsey, Yoshiki and Five Finger Death Punch. Michael has lensed commercials for global brands such as Amazon, Ralph Lauren, AT&T, Ford, Spyder, Pfizer, Red Bull and Anheuser-Busch. His spot for TCL with Giannis Antetokounmpo aired during the 2019 Super Bowl.
In other platforms, his collaboration with the photographer Melanie Pullen can be seen in the book 'XY', published by Kodansha. His collaboration with the visual artist Jen DeNike was selected to be part of the official program in the 2017 Art Basel, Miami.
Michael earned a B.A. at Hampshire College-where he was a Kodak Cinematography Scholarship award finalist-and received an M.F.A. in Cinematography at the AFI.
He was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers in 2020 and is on the National Film Preservation Board.
Classically trained in upright bass, Michael can still be seen occasionally sitting in with a band when not onset.
Ralph Lauren - 2018 Collection
Simone White and Reinier Zonneveld - Interference
Cinematography Reel
