Biografia
Pierre Chemaly was born in a mining town in Africa. After high school, he joined the navy and secured a position in the naval photo/film unit in Simon’s Town near Cape Town. He completed his service as an Able Seaman with a specialization in photography. A documentary screening at the navy base about photographer Ansel Adams inspired him to pursue further studies, leading him to apply to the California Institute of the Arts. There, he studied film, art, and photography under his mentor Kris Malkiewicz from the Lodz Film School in Poland, transitioning from the technical photography of the navy to the expressive art of film. He also learned from film director Alexander Mackendrick (known for Sweet Smell of Success and The Lady Killers) and experimental filmmaker Ed Emshwiller, renowned for "Sunstone" and other avant-garde films. Seeking deeper knowledge of professional motion picture cameras, he contacted Bob Dunn at Panavision. During a tour, he noticed an anchor tattoo on Bob’s arm, discovering their shared navy background, and secured a part-time job while continuing his studies. After graduating, he was hired full-time at Panavision by CEO Jac Holzman, founder of Electra Records, known for signing artists like The Doors, Queen, and Bread. At Panavision, he became a certified Camera Technician, servicing the full Panavision/Arriflex camera fleet. Since then, he has photographed and directed films across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. His work spans film, photography, digital art, and painting. He holds a Master’s Degree in Photography from Falmouth University in the United Kingdom.
