• LUXE
  • Commercial/Music
  • Narrative
  • Bio
  • Case Studies
  • CV
  • Contact

John Schmidt

Cinematographer

  • LUXE
  • Commercial/Music
  • Narrative
  • Bio
  • Case Studies
  • CV
  • Contact

Coldplay // Up and Up - Vania Heymann Gal Muggia - Prettybird

Directors Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia

Production Company: PRETTYBIRD UK

For this VMA-winning video , my work was almost entirely in prep. I created separate, detailed lighting and Techno 15 diagrams for every single shot to precisely match the perspective and environment of 13 different plates. This allowed us to simply "flip a page and execute" on the day. This prep also involved re-scouting for a new stage after I proved the original 12' ceilings were too low for the necessary high-angle shots

Subaru // Love - Trent Jaklitsch Gravy Films

Director: Trent Jaklitsch

Jumpman - Ron Brodie

Director: Ron Brodie

35mm Spherical

Fuji 8547 // Panavision XL2

A stylistic exploration of 90's New York, shot on 35mm film. This experimental short follows a young man whose dreams to become a legend could be derailed, capturing a story of idol worship and foolish ambition.

George Ezra // Shotgun - Carlos Lopez Estrada Nelson de Castro

Directors: Carlos Lopez Estrada and Nelson de Castro

This project was a complex technical problem: simulating a rotating set. I personally engineered the solution by pre-visualizing the entire workflow in C4d. This process dictated the use of the 30' Titan Moco crane, an Alexa open gate sensor to avoid lens-warping, and a massive, custom-lit 180-degree bluescreen to achieve the seamless final image.

Tools to Inspire // Craftsman - Trent Jaklitsch Gravy Films

Director: Trent Jaklitsch

LANY//Moco

Director: Najeeb Tarazi

Motion control: George Haldky @ Cameracontrol.com

This project is a direct example of an "architectural approach to filmmaking." The central creative—a forward-and-backward motion in a single, continuous shot—was a complex technical problem. We engineered the solution in-camera, building the shot's entire logic around a motion control (Moco) rig to deliver a precise, striking, and seamless effect.  

The Rivalry

Director: Trent Jaklitsch

A 70-second stylistic showcase, directed by constant collaborator Trent Jaklitsch. This piece uses a rotating probe lens and high-speed motion to transform a simple match into a grungy, high-energy, and technically complex film

BMTH // Mother Tongue - Chris Muir

Directed by Chris Muir

Doritos // MTV VMAs

Director: Crobin @ Gravy Films

A high-concept, co-branded spot that aired during the MTV VMAs. This project was a study in controlled studio lighting, building a surrealist world from scratch on a stage. We used dynamic lighting and a clean, high-contrast look to bring the "seeing triangles" concept to life.

STAR WARS // A Critical Mission for BB8

Zenni Glasses

Director: Shal Ngo

A dynamic portrait of three artists, this film's high-energy aesthetic is driven by a complex range of technical skills. The look combines stylized lighting with "fast dramatic camera moves," stop-motion transitions, and speed-ramping to create a "bullet time" visual effect

MTV Anti-Vape PSA

Director: Crobin @ Gravy Films

This high-concept PSA combines a stylized, music video aesthetic with complex technical execution. Built on a soundstage, the look was achieved with wireless DMX lighting and precise control. The core of the spot was integrating a VFX explosion effect, which was pre-visualized and practically enhanced with on-set lighting.

Coldplay // Up and Up - Vania Heymann Gal Muggia - Prettybird

— view —

Subaru // Love - Trent Jaklitsch Gravy Films

— view —

Jumpman - Ron Brodie

— view —

Jumpman // Short film

George Ezra // Shotgun - Carlos Lopez Estrada Nelson de Castro

— view —

George Ezra - Shotgun (Official Video)

Tools to Inspire // Craftsman - Trent Jaklitsch Gravy Films

— view —

Tools to Inspire // Craftsman

LANY//Moco

— view —

LANY // Love At First Fight

The Rivalry

— view —

The Rivalry // Trent Jaklitsch

BMTH // Mother Tongue - Chris Muir

— view —

BMTH // MotherTongue // Directors cut

Doritos // MTV VMAs

— view —

Doritos MTV VMAs

STAR WARS // A Critical Mission for BB8

— view —

STAR WARS // A Critical Mission for BB8

Zenni Glasses

— view —

Zenni Glasses

MTV Anti-Vape PSA

— view —

MTV PSA

Powered by Squarespace.