Commercial Bookings:
Ajay Ghosh : aghosh@zerogravitymanagement.com
Feature and Documentary Bookings:
dmassaband@zerogravitymanagement.com
Direct Contact : michaelpessah@gmail.com | 917.312.4442
ASC Podcast: https://theasc.com/podcasts/michael-pessah-derek-vanlint-alien
LA Review of Books : https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-cinematographers-lens-on-this-years-oscar-nominees/
Biography
Michael M. Pessah, ASC is an award-winning cinematographer whose work spans narrative film, documentary, and television. Raised in New York and a graduate of the AFI Conservatory, Pessah is known for his expressive visual style and keen sensitivity to story and character.
Early in his career, Outfest named him one of its “Five in Focus” emerging talents for his work on Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, making him the first cinematographer to receive that honor.
His unscripted work has been nominated for Emmy awards in the past three consecutive years. His many credits include the documentaries 'Scandalous' which was nominated for a 2021 Emmy, and 'Viva La Causa' which was shortlisted for a 2009 Academy Award.
His recent narrative projects include the upcoming features ‘Most Likely’ and ‘The Good Dark’, as well as the Jenna Ortega adventure film ‘Saving Flora’, and additional photography for HBO’s ‘Insecure’ and Apple TV’s ‘Fraggle Rock.’. He is one of the few contemporary cinematographers to have photographed multiple black-and-white features.
Pessah has lensed commercials for global brands including Amazon, Target, Ralph Lauren, AT&T, Ford, Pfizer, Red Bull, and Anheuser-Busch, with his TCL spot featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo airing during Super Bowl LIII. His music video credits include work with Halsey, Yoshiki, and Five Finger Death Punch.
Beyond his production work, Pessah is active in the filmmaking community. He serves on the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress, lectures at AFI mentoring emerging filmmakers, and was elected to the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) in 2020.
Classically trained in upright bass, Michael can still be seen occasionally sitting in with a band when not onset.
