Frederic Chaignat
Director of Photography
Originally from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, I came to the United States to pursue my dream of working in the influential film industry. I was quickly drawn to cinematography because it challenged me to excel in technical knowledge while honing my artistic sensibility.
As a Senior Cinematographer at Nestle USA, I have played a pivotal role in the success of The LEAD, Nestlé's award-winning internal ad agency. In this capacity, I have been responsible for the end-to-end production of creative concepts for over 30 top US food brands. My role involves collaborating on concept development, refining storyboards, and executing visually compelling content within established budgets and timelines. I bring a deep understanding of camera and lighting possibilities, ensuring the seamless integration of complex VFX workflows during the capture stage.
My expertise extends to overseeing the utilization and maintenance of industry-standard film equipment and a 10,000 sqf studio, guaranteeing optimal production quality. I have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with local, US, and international freelance crews, colorists, and vendors, maintaining a cutting-edge visual standard across diverse brands. Adapting content for various social media platforms and integrating VFX workflows are integral aspects of my role, showcasing my versatility and commitment to delivering top-notch visual content.
In addition to my role at Nestle USA, my extensive experience as a Director of Photography, Camera Operator, and Lighting Designer in freelance capacities has equipped me with a diverse project portfolio. I have successfully delivered projects across commercial, social media, industrial, web, documentary, music video, feature, and short narrative formats. Notable collaborations include leading brands and organizations such as California Tourism Board, Capitol Federal, Tech Crunch, Zillow Group, Teva Pharmaceutical, Anheuser-Busch, Gatorade, Ubisoft, Western Digital, History Channel, and Investigation Discovery.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco, CA.
