Michael Helenek

cinematographer

Narrative

“Hound” / Dir. S. Polhaus (upcoming fall 2022)

“I Am Not A Robot” / Dir. B. Olliver / Alexa Mini - anamorphic

“Rite of Passage” / Dir. Michael Krehan / Arri Alexa Mini

“To Tell the Truth” / Dir. Shema Jones / Ursa Mini Pro

"Monster in a House" / Dir. Christiano Dias / RED Epic

"King Eternal" / Dir. Christiano Dias / RED One

“One Heart” / Pr. D. Benkovich / Dir. A. Vargas / RED Scarlet

“The Confrontation” / Dir. Soraya Hajjaji / Canon 5DM2

“Dungeons & Dorks” / Dir. Jimmy Yen / Canon 5DM2

“Revolution”  / Gentlemen Films / Dir. Josh Spector / 16mm

“Versus” / Pr. Emily Branham / Dir. Sean Gannet / 16mm

 

Commercial | Music video | Corporate

Elder Scrolls / Artifact Studios LA / Dir. A. Colombo / Amira

Cedar Sinai Year End Innovation / Effie Studios

  Dir. A. Colombo / C300 Mark I & C300 Mark II

Cedar Sinai Women's Gala / Effie Studios / Dir. A. Colombo

  C300 Mark I & C300 Mark II

Heritage "Grandson" / Dir. M. Helenek / Ursa Mini Pro

TruStage Insurance / C41 Media / Dir. P. Sillen / Arri Amira

Antmine / Dir. Christiano Dias / Uberion / Canon 5DM2

Pxsell / Dir. Christiano Dias / Uberion / Canon 5DM2

“Secrets & Lies” / Dir. Saul Herckis / Canon 5DM2

Netafim / Goal Productions / Dir. G. Partington / Sony FS7

Miracle Grow / Goal Productions / Dir. G. Partington / Sony FS7

No-Notoriety* / Dir. Michael Helenek / Ursa Mini Pro

*video not endorsed/approved by organization*

Tone It Up / Sypher Films / Dir. Jens Jacob / Canon C300

Raising Canes / Goal Productions / Dir. G. Partington / FS7

 

Documentary

“Great Park” / Techstyle Fashion Group / Dir. John Cregan

  Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro

“The Heart of Man" Aftershow / Sypher Films / Dir. Jens Jacob

  Alexa mini, RED Dragon

“DogTown” television series / National Geographic Television

  EP. Kim Woodard / Sony EX1

“Centro Medico Humberto Parra” / Daniels Hamant Foundation

  Dir. Michael Helenek / Panasonic DVX100

 

Set lighting

Gaffer. Commercial clients include: Gatorade, Sunkist, Intuit,

  USAA, Bank of the West, Heartland Bank, American Express.

  (Complete listing @ heleneklighting.com).

Set Lighting Technician, Diary of a Future President (Disney+),

  Big Shot (Disney+), Anomalisa (Paramount), GLOW (Netflix),

  The Waltons: Homecoming (Warner Bros.).

 

Post Production

Post Production Manager, National Geographic TV, NYC.

  Managed offline, conform, color correction,

  and audio mix  for series TV shows.

Editor, Animator, Image Work Communications, LA, CA.

  Created documentary, commercial, and corporate programming.

 

Education

Northwestern University.  B.S. Radio/Television/Film.

3.55/4.0 in major.

 

Awards

Cinematography of Monster in a House featured in

  American Cinematographer Magazine (July ’16).

Awarded Best Cinematography, Los Angeles Independent

  Film Festival (Monster in a House).

 

PRESS

“Michael Helenek's lensing is simply stellar, utilizing a perfect

use of shadowing and framing and giving the film an emotional

depth by following the faces of the characters involved.”

 – Richard Propes, The Independent Critic.

 

“…Dias and DP Michael Helenek [keep] impressive visuals

  on the screen throughout, finding dreamy wonder

  in the most ordinary of locations.”

 – Nicholas La Salla, Forest City Short Film Review.

 

CLIENT REVIEWS

“The footage we have so far is nothing short of amazing, and

  I'm grateful to have you as DP. I can't wait to finish our film.”

 – Michael Krehan, Director, Rite of Passage.

 

 "The footage looks amazing.  You did an excellent job

  and I would love to work with you again

  or recommend you to friends!”

 – Deedee Benkovich, Writer, Producer, One Heart.

 

“I’m just fortunate to have worked with such immensely talented

  people from Composer - Daniel James Chan and Director of

  Photography - Michael Helenek.  To me, it’s all about building

  a family that you work well with, believe in, and are “sharp

  as a knife” focused on telling a story.”

 – Director Christiano Dias - Hollyshorts Film Festival interview.