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Finally got around to cutting a new commercial reel for 2023. Featuring projects with some of my good friends and favorite collaborators (in no particular order): @mikepecci @somevagrants @winniemac @brycewymer @prettydamnsweetagram @msapienza @floyd_r @piernicoladamico @robertbroadhurst @jon_applebaum @kevanfunk @yondercontent @brian_neaman @rob_fiocca @martin.rodahl @picture.north @hogarthworldwide

#commercial #filmmaking #commercialproduction #cinematography #dop #doplife

🎥🎥🎥LINK IN BIO🎥🎥🎥
A behind the scenes look at Agent Game, lovingly dubbed The Boom Boom Room by superstars @dqcamera @jamesswartzlight. Stunts by @lee_whittaker_, my insane brother from another mother. Can't wait to walk through flames with you again.
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In this riveting spy thriller, no one is safe. Harris (Dermot Mulroney), a CIA interrogator at an Agency black site, finds himself the target of a rendition operation after being scapegoated for an interrogation gone horribly wrong. As the team tasked to bring Harris in begins to question their orders — and each other —Olsen (Mel Gibson), a senior intelligence officer, and his subordinate, Visser (Annie Ilonzeh), raise the stakes. Now, it’s up to Harris and some newfound allies to uncover the truth and turn the tables.
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#cinematographer #directorofphotography #cinematography #setlife #film #cinematographylife #bts #filmmaking #nEeDSmoREhaShTags @dskatz2 #cinematographysalon #behindthescenes #behindthescenes🎬 #filmmakerlife

Another one with the folks at @somevagrants directed by @winniemac and produced by @dustindevlin. Some of my favorite people in the game. I’m the talent getting a real tattoo in this spot!
#cinematography #cinematographer #filmmaking #47brand

We are super excited to announce that our film METANOIA has been officially selected for this year’s FilmQuest Film Festival. It is truly one of my favorite festivals with an incredible community of filmmakers who continue to inspire and support one another.

We are beyond humbled to be nominated for Best Micro-Short Film, and a huge shoutout to our very own @dkruta for his Best Cinematography nomination.

We could not be more thrilled to share this film with live audiences. A massive thank you to our talented crew of artists who poured their hearts into every frame, and a big hug to @gina_gizella for bringing me into her beautiful world.

#METANOIA #FilmQuest #FilmFestival #DavidDastmalchian #SedonaLegge #ExperimentalFilm #IndieFilm #Cinema

METANOIA

Creative Director: @gina_gizella
Director: @mikepecci
Production Company: @_gzlla_
Producer: @dj_voltran
Photographer: @gina_gizella
Cinematographer: @dkruta
Production Design: @alenstubbs
Wardrobe: @bipolarshorty
David MUA: @leilani.sunglao
Sedona MUA: @alexandraafrench
Hair: @heatherlurk
Nail Artist: @thechristinaguerra
Sedona Monster Nails: @disc0_lem0nade
Sedona Chainmail: @chainedbysedona
Special Effects Artist: @avemonsters
Location: @cinepacks.studios
1st AC: @ziggy.jaz
2nd AC: @_kylestubbs
Photo AC: @wavykirt
DIT: @dantevelasquezjr @zacharyismith
Gaffer: @jamesswartzlight
Grip/Electric: @brazzill_gopro @thepowerzthatbe @adamjsilva
Lighting Tech: @topherhammond
Set Design Assistance: @aid_and_abet @house.of.zane Faisal Chaarawi
PA: @golancego
BTS Photographer: @kboom @houseofvivian
Editor: @mikepecci
Sound Design and Mix: @dj_voltran
Title Design: Francesca Monroe
Music Composed by: Frank Perez
Color grade: RJ McReady
Title Consultant: @nickpolowy
Sponsored By: @blackmagicnewsofficial
Special Thank-you: @freestylecinemarentals @pugetsystems @fujifilmx_us @lvna.digital @fotodioxpro @smallhd

We are super excited to announce that our film METANOIA has been officially selected for this year’s FilmQuest Film Festival. It is truly one of my favorite festivals with an incredible community of filmmakers who continue to inspire and support one another.

We are beyond humbled to be nominated for Best Micro-Short Film, and a huge shoutout to our very own @dkruta for his Best Cinematography nomination.

We could not be more thrilled to share this film with live audiences. A massive thank you to our talented crew of artists who poured their hearts into every frame, and a big hug to @gina_gizella for bringing me into her beautiful world.

#METANOIA #FilmQuest #FilmFestival #DavidDastmalchian #SedonaLegge #ExperimentalFilm #IndieFilm #Cinema

METANOIA

Creative Director: @gina_gizella
Director: @mikepecci
Production Company: @_gzlla_
Producer: @dj_voltran
Photographer: @gina_gizella
Cinematographer: @dkruta
Production Design: @alenstubbs
Wardrobe: @bipolarshorty
David MUA: @leilani.sunglao
Sedona MUA: @alexandraafrench
Hair: @heatherlurk
Nail Artist: @thechristinaguerra
Sedona Monster Nails: @disc0_lem0nade
Sedona Chainmail: @chainedbysedona
Special Effects Artist: @avemonsters
Location: @cinepacks.studios
1st AC: @ziggy.jaz
2nd AC: @_kylestubbs
Photo AC: @wavykirt
DIT: @dantevelasquezjr @zacharyismith
Gaffer: @jamesswartzlight
Grip/Electric: @brazzill_gopro @thepowerzthatbe @adamjsilva
Lighting Tech: @topherhammond
Set Design Assistance: @aid_and_abet @house.of.zane Faisal Chaarawi
PA: @golancego
BTS Photographer: @kboom @houseofvivian
Editor: @mikepecci
Sound Design and Mix: @dj_voltran
Title Design: Francesca Monroe
Music Composed by: Frank Perez
Color grade: RJ McReady
Title Consultant: @nickpolowy
Sponsored By: @blackmagicnewsofficial
Special Thank-you: @freestylecinemarentals @pugetsystems @fujifilmx_us @lvna.digital @fotodioxpro @smallhd

We are super excited to announce that our film METANOIA has been officially selected for this year’s FilmQuest Film Festival. It is truly one of my favorite festivals with an incredible community of filmmakers who continue to inspire and support one another.

We are beyond humbled to be nominated for Best Micro-Short Film, and a huge shoutout to our very own @dkruta for his Best Cinematography nomination.

We could not be more thrilled to share this film with live audiences. A massive thank you to our talented crew of artists who poured their hearts into every frame, and a big hug to @gina_gizella for bringing me into her beautiful world.

#METANOIA #FilmQuest #FilmFestival #DavidDastmalchian #SedonaLegge #ExperimentalFilm #IndieFilm #Cinema

METANOIA

Creative Director: @gina_gizella
Director: @mikepecci
Production Company: @_gzlla_
Producer: @dj_voltran
Photographer: @gina_gizella
Cinematographer: @dkruta
Production Design: @alenstubbs
Wardrobe: @bipolarshorty
David MUA: @leilani.sunglao
Sedona MUA: @alexandraafrench
Hair: @heatherlurk
Nail Artist: @thechristinaguerra
Sedona Monster Nails: @disc0_lem0nade
Sedona Chainmail: @chainedbysedona
Special Effects Artist: @avemonsters
Location: @cinepacks.studios
1st AC: @ziggy.jaz
2nd AC: @_kylestubbs
Photo AC: @wavykirt
DIT: @dantevelasquezjr @zacharyismith
Gaffer: @jamesswartzlight
Grip/Electric: @brazzill_gopro @thepowerzthatbe @adamjsilva
Lighting Tech: @topherhammond
Set Design Assistance: @aid_and_abet @house.of.zane Faisal Chaarawi
PA: @golancego
BTS Photographer: @kboom @houseofvivian
Editor: @mikepecci
Sound Design and Mix: @dj_voltran
Title Design: Francesca Monroe
Music Composed by: Frank Perez
Color grade: RJ McReady
Title Consultant: @nickpolowy
Sponsored By: @blackmagicnewsofficial
Special Thank-you: @freestylecinemarentals @pugetsystems @fujifilmx_us @lvna.digital @fotodioxpro @smallhd

We are super excited to announce that our film METANOIA has been officially selected for this year’s FilmQuest Film Festival. It is truly one of my favorite festivals with an incredible community of filmmakers who continue to inspire and support one another.

We are beyond humbled to be nominated for Best Micro-Short Film, and a huge shoutout to our very own @dkruta for his Best Cinematography nomination.

We could not be more thrilled to share this film with live audiences. A massive thank you to our talented crew of artists who poured their hearts into every frame, and a big hug to @gina_gizella for bringing me into her beautiful world.

#METANOIA #FilmQuest #FilmFestival #DavidDastmalchian #SedonaLegge #ExperimentalFilm #IndieFilm #Cinema

METANOIA

Creative Director: @gina_gizella
Director: @mikepecci
Production Company: @_gzlla_
Producer: @dj_voltran
Photographer: @gina_gizella
Cinematographer: @dkruta
Production Design: @alenstubbs
Wardrobe: @bipolarshorty
David MUA: @leilani.sunglao
Sedona MUA: @alexandraafrench
Hair: @heatherlurk
Nail Artist: @thechristinaguerra
Sedona Monster Nails: @disc0_lem0nade
Sedona Chainmail: @chainedbysedona
Special Effects Artist: @avemonsters
Location: @cinepacks.studios
1st AC: @ziggy.jaz
2nd AC: @_kylestubbs
Photo AC: @wavykirt
DIT: @dantevelasquezjr @zacharyismith
Gaffer: @jamesswartzlight
Grip/Electric: @brazzill_gopro @thepowerzthatbe @adamjsilva
Lighting Tech: @topherhammond
Set Design Assistance: @aid_and_abet @house.of.zane Faisal Chaarawi
PA: @golancego
BTS Photographer: @kboom @houseofvivian
Editor: @mikepecci
Sound Design and Mix: @dj_voltran
Title Design: Francesca Monroe
Music Composed by: Frank Perez
Color grade: RJ McReady
Title Consultant: @nickpolowy
Sponsored By: @blackmagicnewsofficial
Special Thank-you: @freestylecinemarentals @pugetsystems @fujifilmx_us @lvna.digital @fotodioxpro @smallhd

We are so proud of our buddy and my creative brother for being nominated for Best Cinematography for the feature Orion annnnnnd for our film METANOIA at this years @filmquest #cinematography #filmmaking #filmquest

🎥🎥🎥LINK IN BIO🎥🎥🎥

Nicholas Lam: How Losing Everything Teaches Us What Really Matters

Against the backdrop of industry upheaval and the rise of AI, Nicholas Lam joins hosts Ava Benjamin Shorr and David Kruta to explore what it means to future-proof creativity. Lam critiques performative diversity initiatives, warns against chasing trends, and makes a case for human, low-fi storytelling as the antidote to algorithmic content. Taking a personal turn, Lam recounts losing his home in the Los Angeles fires of January 2025, and shares how the filmmaking community rallied to support him, reshaping his priorities and reinforcing the importance of showing up for others. That experience reframes his view of work, stripping away the false urgency of the industry and grounding him in relationships over accolades.

This episode is sponsored by @fujifilmx_us, @sandisk and @tcp_insurance.

#cinematography #filmmaking #cinematographysalon #ai #virtualproduction #vfx

Link in my bio to listen today! On a special crossover episode of In Love with the Process and Cinematography Salon, host David Kruta sits down with director Mike Pecci for a brutally honest conversation about the state of post-COVID Hollywood.

Together, they unpack the chaos of a shifting industry, grappling with the false promises of AI disruption, the gatekeeping grip of the studio system, and the soul-crushing feeling of pitching into a void. Pecci doesn’t hold back as he speaks to the existential challenges of creating meaningful work in a landscape dominated by fear, algorithms, and mediocrity.

But this isn’t a rant—it’s a rallying cry. For Pecci, survival as a filmmaker means staying true, staying nimble, and continuing to make things with heart, no matter the odds. AI isn’t the enemy. Mediocrity is.

This is a must-listen for anyone trying to create something real in a system that too often rewards the opposite. @cinematographysalon @dkruta @inlovewiththeprocesspod @mikepecci #cinematography #ai #hollywood #filmmaker #podcast

Link in my bio to listen today! On a special crossover episode of In Love with the Process and Cinematography Salon, host David Kruta sits down with director Mike Pecci for a brutally honest conversation about the state of post-COVID Hollywood.

Together, they unpack the chaos of a shifting industry, grappling with the false promises of AI disruption, the gatekeeping grip of the studio system, and the soul-crushing feeling of pitching into a void. Pecci doesn’t hold back as he speaks to the existential challenges of creating meaningful work in a landscape dominated by fear, algorithms, and mediocrity.

But this isn’t a rant—it’s a rallying cry. For Pecci, survival as a filmmaker means staying true, staying nimble, and continuing to make things with heart, no matter the odds. AI isn’t the enemy. Mediocrity is.

This is a must-listen for anyone trying to create something real in a system that too often rewards the opposite. @cinematographysalon @dkruta @inlovewiththeprocesspod @mikepecci #cinematography #ai #hollywood #filmmaker #podcast

Link in my bio to listen today! On a special crossover episode of In Love with the Process and Cinematography Salon, host David Kruta sits down with director Mike Pecci for a brutally honest conversation about the state of post-COVID Hollywood.

Together, they unpack the chaos of a shifting industry, grappling with the false promises of AI disruption, the gatekeeping grip of the studio system, and the soul-crushing feeling of pitching into a void. Pecci doesn’t hold back as he speaks to the existential challenges of creating meaningful work in a landscape dominated by fear, algorithms, and mediocrity.

But this isn’t a rant—it’s a rallying cry. For Pecci, survival as a filmmaker means staying true, staying nimble, and continuing to make things with heart, no matter the odds. AI isn’t the enemy. Mediocrity is.

This is a must-listen for anyone trying to create something real in a system that too often rewards the opposite. @cinematographysalon @dkruta @inlovewiththeprocesspod @mikepecci #cinematography #ai #hollywood #filmmaker #podcast

Here’s a fun series of ads I directed for @dalstrong — and man, I had a blast. They gave me full creative freedom, and the results were 🔥

Chef Brian Dunsmoor @hatchetchief slices through delicious dishes in a hypnotic slow-motion visual trance, brought to life with the help of the incredible @davidkruta behind the lens and a Phantom camera capturing every detail.

Loved this one. Hey @dalstrong, let’s start playing together again soon!

#Dalstrong #FoodPorn #SlowMotion #PhantomCamera #CommercialDirector #ChefLife #Cinematography #MikePecci #VisualTrance #DirectorLife

For about 3 years prior to Covid, I regularly did cardio kickboxing and lifted with no real structure. My squat was terrible, my bench was weak, and my deadlift was decently heavy but with terrible form.

During quarantine, I really let myself go - no exercise, a diet of sourdough bread and wine, and generally not paying attention to my health. I knew I needed a change.

4 years ago I joined my local neighborhood gym, hit the rower and lost a bunch of weight. I started adding in some basic lifting, running a modified PPL, but with no real direction.

2 years ago I decided to go check out a powerlifting meet - and ran into my old friend @javianle who was competing. He invited me to his gym, gave me a bunch of pointers, and most importantly, gave me the encouragement I needed to believe I could be much stronger than I'd ever hoped.

9 weeks ago, at his direction, I started @thestrengthathlete's Intermediate Comp Prep program. With the uncertainty we face in our industry, having something with concrete challenges and goals with measurable progress was a welcome change.

At the same time, I saw my total was around 900lbs, so I thought it might be a good goal to shoot for the 1000lb club - where the big three lifts total over 1000lbs, and have to be lifted within an hour long span.

Today I hit that goal and then some.

Squat 315-->365
Bench Press 225-->275
Deadlift 375 -->405

TOTAL: 1045lbs

Thanks again to @javianle for the guidance, @kowalskiimaging and @joe_diblasi for the encouragement, and @topherhammond for calling me a weak little b$&*h to give me the extra motivation. 💪💪💪

#powerlifting #1000lbclub #gainz

Embers & Dust was a turning point for me. @musicbed gave me an immense opportunity to fully realize something that had been gnawing on my brain for years. For that, I’m forever grateful. Little trivia: Joel Nagel appears in this and the proof for Creep Box (he’s an incredible talent, very intuitive and giving). The diner scene was shot at @phoeniciadiner this time after their incredible renovation. shot by @dkruta music by @aledrobertsmusic sound design by @defactosound production design by @charmainechoi produced by @steph_aubrey and @jeffcroghan starring @henrygagliardi as Gene.
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#filmmaking #film #filmmakers #filmmaker #film #films #movies #movies #screenwriting #screenwriter #writer #writers #writing #screenplay #screenwriters #directors #directing #director #filmmaker #storytellter #creativity #indiefilmmaking #horror #scifi #creepboxfeature #directors #shorts #short #shortfilm

Here’s the original. This was our proof-of-concept for what would become the feature film. There seems to be a misconception online that Creep Box was a short film that I later adapted into a feature script. It’s quite the opposite. I had written the feature first in 2020 (when a loved one had passed on, and long before our preoccupation with generative AI), then @casperflex and I started kicking the idea of using the first 10mins of script as a proof-of-concept. Which played out almost exactly as planned. Shot by @dkruta music by @nick_sqund produced by @casperflex
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#filmmaking #film #filmmakers #filmmaker #film #films #movies #movies #screenwriting #screenwriter #writer #writers #writing #screenplay #screenwriters #directors #directing #director #filmmaker #storytellter #creativity #indiefilmmaking #horror #scifi #creepboxfeature #directors #shorts #shortfilm

This music video for @alotlikebirds was an incredible opportunity to flex our cinematic muscles over the course of just one day of production. And as you can imagine, we had a very minimal budget. But I think the results, of having stringent parameters, are very striking thanks to my continued collaboration with @dkruta - produced by @steph_aubrey - makeup by @thehardergroup
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#filmmaking #film #filmmakers #filmmaker #film #directors #directing #director #filmmaker #cinematography #storyteller #creativity #indiefilmmaking #horror #scifi #creepboxfeature #directors #musicvideos #alotlikebirds