NEER End of Year - 2022
Looking back on 2022, we at the NEER agency feel confident and take pride in the many varied projects and accolades that have involved the partners on our roster. From beautifully crafted imagery and inventive storytelling, to educational outreach and welcoming new talent, NEER has found much to be grateful for during 2022.
The last few years have been challenging for most organizations, and NEER is no exception. But in so many ways, 2022 offered a chance for deeper understanding of the ever changing norms in our industry and opportunities to empower leadership, such as partnering with Free The Work, supporting our artists’ personal projects (Ramon Goni’s Singular, Thomas Simon’s Bowlhead) and advocating education with Antoino Riestra’s Conscious Lighting Master Class.
As we move into 2023, NEER stands firm with all in the industry who champion for safety for all our crews. Sets that foster respect for our cinematographers and their expertise should be given priority.
“At NEER, let’s continue to create platforms within the film industry that allow a better experience for all of us.”
Furthermore, as we move forward into the new year, we should all be prepared to continue to value and grow the opportunity for new or underrepresented voices. It is important that we acknowledge and value this necessary movement.
At NEER, let’s continue to create platforms within the film industry that allow a better experience for all of us.
Below we invited some of our talent to share thoughts on the outgoing year and what they may be looking forward to in 2023.
“Here’s to an incredible 2023. Happy New Year!”
- Brent & Chandra
Tyler Weinberger - Cinematographer
2022 was a significant year for me as a cinematographer. I had one of my busiest years shooting commercials with old and new friends, some of which are some of my favorite projects to date. I shot a short film, GWAFI, which was a drama about coping with the suicide of your best friend.
This film, for me, reflects future projects and subject matter that I want to explore in the feature world. I took some time for myself and visited with some friends in Europe, and took an ASC Master Class learning how to be successful in virtual production environments.
One of the biggest lessons I took away from this 2022 is about taking responsibility for the image. For me, spending more prep time building ideas for other departments helps make our short tech scouts very successful so everyone walks away aligned visually. I'm very excited for what's to come in 2023.
I would love to spend time on longer form projects and also continue working on commercials and shorts that help transport the viewer through character and emotion.
Kadri Koop -
Cinematographer
I'm super happy about this year as I was able to transition into a more steady-income life which for me is big after pretty much a decade of headache. I think NEER allowed me also to relax a little on the part of constantly looking for jobs. Knowing that I have people who are pitching me for gigs is a big one.
Now with a more steady income stream I'm able to focus more on my personal projects and steer the course of my career in ways that feel uniquely exciting to me. I've been able to take the last month off and really relax and focus on reading and writing, not stressing.
I'm super proud of all of the projects I've made this past year since I've been with NEER. Especially as I want to continue working cross-continentally.
So yeah, thank you guys for all that you have done for me!
Antonio Riestra ASC AEC ACK -
Cinematographer
2022 proved to be a year in which I was able to balance my personal and professional life, in a healthier way.
Choosing well-being and family first provides a better base for everything. I’m really proud of being there for my family as well as achieving professional goals. The work I did on The Black Demon is something I’m very proud of.
The cooperation with NEER has been a great support in having direction towards both personal and professional goals.
I started with underwater cinematography this year and also developed Conscious Lighting in more depth. I cultivated relationships from a more conscious standpoint. I’m looking forward to new projects and to keep writing scripts and shooting stories that resonate with my life.
Suzaine! -
Cinematographer
2022 was a good year, I got to work with crew and made new relationships with some cool collaborative directors.
Worked on some videos for HBO’s ‘Winning Time’ with Director Mark Leibowitz and an amazing team.
Hoping for another creative, collaborative, and busy 2023!
Thanks to my NEER peeps. 2023 is gonna be a good one! I can feel it!
Kelsey Smith -
Cinematographer
I’m grateful to have worked with very talented directors, producers, and crews this year.
I had the opportunity to shoot in Toronto, Miami, LA, Austin and Atlanta - and got to meet some incredibly hard working and kind people.
I truly love what I do and I’m so appreciative that this is my job. I’m looking forward to pushing myself even further creatively next year.
Elissa Friedman - Head of Film + Television NEER Films
I’m thrilled to be working with NEER’s DP’s and directors on their goals for film and television.
2023 is going to be a very exciting year
Geoff George -
Cinematographer
2022 was another great year for me.
I was proud to shoot my third feature film, Stealing Jokes, as well as numerous commercials and a really cool music video for Carpenter Brut.
Looking forward to a great 2023, hopefully on more narrative projects!
Thomas Simon -
Director / DP
It's been a roller coaster this year for me both on the personal and professional side of things, so I'm unsure what to include!
Generally speaking though, I'm very grateful. A clear highlight professionally has been the addition of Elissa in the team, she's brought a lot of purpose, direction and motivation
in my writing and it's been great to feel supported on that front. I set out to write three screenplays at the beginning of last year. I did new drafts on two, and wrote two more from scratch, with a handful of shorts.
I've been pushed on the cinematography front with the yet to be released Estee Lauder job - it's been great to get a glimpse of what I can achieve when working under pressure and stepping up.
I'd be remiss not to mention that I started the year with my mother being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and I'm infinitely grateful to report that many rounds of chemo, a major surgery and a year later, she's officially cancer free and on the mend.
I love my job, I'm focused on the present, and thanks to Brent and Chandra for the endless and continued support.
Brendan Baehr -
NEER Social Media Manager
I've had a pretty productive year both through NEER and outside, and have been able to work on my skills at photography significantly, along with becoming far more versed in digital marketing and design!
I'm hoping to continue this development into the next year and learn more about what specific arts and aesthetics inspire me, in order to better my own creative expression.
I think what I'm most proud of in retrospect is my success in tabling music venues and concerts in LA through KXLU and exploring in person the vibrantly rebounding music scene in post-pandemic LA through visual documentation.
Maddy Talias -
Cinematographer
I’m proud of being accepted into the ASC mentorship program. I feel like this last year I’ve gotten a clearer perspective on the direction I would like to continue to push my work in.
I wrapped up Space End, a video installation project that I will be releasing in 2023. In 2023, I’m looking forward to meeting new directors.
I’m hoping to make more narrative work and looking forward to releasing some projects that I made in 2022.
Dillon Schneider - Cinematographer
I am very proud of the projects I tackled this year and am excited for what 2023 brings with new and familiar collaborators.
Justin Pelletier - Cinematographer
Had a great 2022. Kept quite busy. Was particularly proud of our award winning short film 'Maundy'.
Hoping to see a level up budget and creative wise in 2023.
Ryan McNeal -
Colorist
This year was a great chance to plan for the future and felt like the first “normal” year of business since 2020.
As an artist I focused more on the sort of projects I want to be working on and less on worrying about projects that aren’t fulfilling.
A project I am proud of is I’m Totally Fine, a feature film by Brandon Dermer and EP Kyle Newacheck. I colored I’m Totally Fine and my folks got to see it in theaters.
Ramon Goni -
Director
For the last few months I’ve found a focus I’d been missing for many years since I moved away from Journalism and dived head-on into my filmmaking career. I finally launched my film project S1NGULAR, by shooting a short in upstate New York and submitting it to several festivals. My current focus is developing the feature script based on the short film of the same name.
S1NGULAR has been part of the official selection in multiple festivals around the World and also won several awards, including Best Experimental short, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Design. I’m also currently attached to direct a feature titled Patent the Sun with Slated executive producing.
As a proof of concept, S1ngular has helped me showcase the visual identity of the sci-fi alternate past where the story unfolds while building the momentum to continue developing the universe in collaboration with a number of talented professionals.
Among some of the stepping stones while we develop the script in 2023, I’m working on launching a podcast (’The Future Past’) and a motion portrait series which I’ve already started shooting ('Hum.an//Hum.ai’) expanding on S1ngular's universe and utilizing innovative AI tools to write an alternate past based on near future science and technology.
Logan Rice -
Director / DP
2022 was full of ups, downs, twists and turns but overall was a positive year of creating and collaborating with very amazing people.
Looking forward to the many creative projects I have laid out for the new year and for another year of growth and trying to figure out what is going on (just like every other year).
Madison McKamey - Cinematographer
Well this year has been a huge year of growth, in projects and personal relationships. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in developing my personal style and growing as a technician as well.
NEER has really helped me transition into the professional realm with ease.
