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IMDbPro

David J. Schweitzer

  • Camera and Electrical Department
  • Cinematographer
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
David J. Schweitzer
Watch 2019 Montage Reel
Play demo reel0:57
2019 Montage Reel
1 Video
8 Photos
At the age of 12, David was developing and printing images in his tiny closet. Shooting with an 8mm movie camera, he created in-camera effects. His first job in the industry was as a bicycle messenger. Eventually progressing to an assistant camera on documentaries while working as an editing room apprentice.

A music video pioneer having lensed the first contemporary video to play on MTV, "You Better Run" by Pat Benatar. David has filmed over 40 Music videos and numerous commercials. Moving on to features, David has worked for cinematographer ASC masters, Gordon Willis, Bruce Surtees, and Dariusz Wolski.

David attends to color and contour with adoring purposes. While he works with all the latest digital technology, David's lifelong passion is with traditional film. His proficiency with large and small format film cameras characterizes his consummate absorption with the craft.

Besides still and motion photography, David is a motion picture producer, director, and animator. He speaks French and English, is an FAA-certified commercial multi-engine instrument-rated airplane pilot, and holds an FAA Part 107 UAS pilot certificate, is an avid cook and outdoors-man.
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Photos7

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    Known for

    Outer Range (2022)
    Outer Range
    7.1
    TV Series
    • Camera and Electrical Department
    Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch in Waco (2018)
    Waco
    7.8
    TV Mini Series
    • Camera and Electrical Department(second unit)
    Queen Latifah, Ludacris, Shaun Dixon, and Mychala Lee in End of the Road (2022)
    End of the Road
    4.8
    • Camera and Electrical Department
    • 2022
    Harvey Keitel and Forest Whitaker in Two Men in Town (2014)
    Two Men in Town
    5.7
    • Camera and Electrical Department
    • 2014

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Camera and Electrical Department



    • Jade (2025)
      Jade
      3.6
      • a camera day player
      • camera operator
      • gimbal/camera operator
      • 2025
    • Queen Latifah, Ludacris, Shaun Dixon, and Mychala Lee in End of the Road (2022)
      End of the Road
      4.8
      • A camera 2nd unit/Splinter
      • 2022
    • Outer Range (2022)
      Outer Range
      7.1
      TV Series
      • C Camera: 2nd unit
      • B Camera Operator: daily
      • B camera operator: 2nd unit ...
      • 2022
    • Ryan Phillippe, Will Forte, and Kristen Wiig in MacGruber (2021)
      MacGruber
      7.1
      TV Series
      • C camera operator: daily
      • 2021
    • Cliffs of Freedom (2019)
      Cliffs of Freedom
      6.1
      • a camera day player
      • c camera operator
      • 2019
    • Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch in Waco (2018)
      Waco
      7.8
      TV Mini Series
      • "a" camera operator: second unit
      • B camera operator: daily
      • 2018
    • Lulu Antariksa, Lia Marie Johnson, and Katelyn Nacon in T@gged (2016)
      T@gged
      7.1
      TV Series
      • camera operator
      • B Cam Operator
      • cinematographer 2nd unit ...
      • 2016–2017
    • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Shot Caller (2017)
      Shot Caller
      7.3
      • c camera operator
      • 2017
    • Joel David Smallbone and Bianca A. Santos in Priceless (2016)
      Priceless
      6.0
      • camera operator: "a" camera
      • 2016
    • Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Luke Wilson, Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, and Taylor Lautner in The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
      The Ridiculous 6
      4.9
      • a camera operator: second unit
      • 2015
    • She Sings to the Stars (2015)
      She Sings to the Stars
      6.8
      • additional cinematographer: re-shoots
      • 2015
    • Lou Diamond Phillips, Katee Sackhoff, Robert Taylor, Cassidy Freeman, and Adam Bartley in Longmire (2012)
      Longmire
      8.3
      TV Series
      • c camera operator
      • 2015
    • Dirty Weekend (2015)
      Dirty Weekend
      5.0
      • camera operator: "a" camera
      • 2015
    • It's My Decision (2015)
      It's My Decision
      9.2
      Short
      • camera operator
      • 2015
    • Harvey Keitel and Forest Whitaker in Two Men in Town (2014)
      Two Men in Town
      5.7
      • camera operator
      • 2014

    Cinematographer



    • The Jack Richard Smith Documentary: A Portrait of an Artist
      • Cinematographer
      • In Production
    • The Janitor
      • Cinematographer
      • Post-production
      • Short



    • The Dynamics of Nature - Paul Pascarella
      • Cinematographer
      • 2021
    • Brendan Fehr and Rachel de la Torre in The Crimson Line (2020)
      The Crimson Line
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2020
    • Cruces (2019)
      Cruces
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2019
    • August Holt, Jessica Haring, Scot Scurlock, and Nando Palacios in A Good Reason (2018)
      A Good Reason
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2018
    • Tiera Skovbye in One Small Indiscretion (2017)
      One Small Indiscretion
      5.3
      TV Movie
      • director of photography (as a different name)
      • 2017
    • Chris Ranney, Morningstar Angeline, and Erik Gonzales in The Time That Remains (2016)
      The Time That Remains
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2016
    • I Am Thy Weapon (2016)
      I Am Thy Weapon
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2016
    • The Dense
      Short
      • director of photography
      • 2015
    • Zombiewood (2013)
      Zombiewood
      8.5
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2013
    • Rachel de la Torre in Looking for Mr. Stieglitz (2013)
      Looking for Mr. Stieglitz
      9.0
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2013
    • Baking Bad (2012)
      Baking Bad
      6.5
      Short
      • Cinematographer
      • 2012
    • Bidder 70 (2012)
      Bidder 70
      7.0
      • additional director of photography
      • 2012
    • Made in New Mexico (2012)
      Made in New Mexico
      7.1
      • director of photography
      • 2012
    • Good Luck, Mr. Gorski (2011)
      Good Luck, Mr. Gorski
      8.9
      Short
      • director of photography
      • 2011
    • The Surf Lords: Old Mexico
      Music Video
      • Cinematographer
      • 2010

    Producer



    • The Jack Richard Smith Documentary: A Portrait of an Artist
      • producer
      • In Production



    • Rodney A. Grant, Ricky Lee, Jon Riggs, and Carmen Dahlman in Coyo (2023)
      Coyo
      5.8
      TV Movie
      • associate producer
      • 2023
    • The Dynamics of Nature - Paul Pascarella
      • producer
      • 2021
    • Brendan Fehr and Rachel de la Torre in The Crimson Line (2020)
      The Crimson Line
      Short
      • producer
      • 2020
    • August Holt, Jessica Haring, Scot Scurlock, and Nando Palacios in A Good Reason (2018)
      A Good Reason
      Short
      • producer (as David Jean)
      • 2018
    • Chris Ranney, Morningstar Angeline, and Erik Gonzales in The Time That Remains (2016)
      The Time That Remains
      Short
      • producer
      • 2016
    • Zombiewood (2013)
      Zombiewood
      8.5
      Short
      • consulting producer
      • 2013
    • Made in New Mexico (2012)
      Made in New Mexico
      7.1
      • producer
      • 2012
    • Good Luck, Mr. Gorski (2011)
      Good Luck, Mr. Gorski
      8.9
      Short
      • producer
      • 2011
    • Lobster (2010)
      Lobster
      6.4
      Short
      • producer
      • 2010
    • Agnes Day
      Short
      • producer
      • 2009
    • Dale O'Malley and Rachel de la Torre in Whiskey Flats (2009)
      Whiskey Flats
      Short
      • executive producer
      • producer
      • 2009
    • No More Dirty Deals (1993)
      No More Dirty Deals
      3.6
      • producer (as a different name)
      • 1993
    • Johnny Cash in Thoughts on the Flag (1992)
      Thoughts on the Flag
      Music Video
      • producer
      • 1992

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos1

    2019 Montage Reel
    Demo Reel 0:57
    2019 Montage Reel

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Alternative name
      • David Jean
    • Publicity listings
      • 4 Articles

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David Jean Schweitzer's role in "You Better Run" by PaBenatar was as a concept designer and cinematographer. He is described as a music video pioneer who lensed videos for various artists, showcasing his early involvement in shaping the music video industry. ("You Better Run," directed by the legendary Nick Saxton, was the first modern video to play on MTV when the network went on the air at 12:01 a.m. on August 1st, 1981. It followed "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles, written and directed two years earlier by Russell Mulcahy).

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