Massimiliano Trevis was the director of photography on feature films, PRIMO LEVI’S JOURNEY, MAFIA SIGNS, SFIORARSI, CUORE SCATENATO (Best Cinematography at the New York Int. Film Festival 2008), ULTIMO STADIO and ON THE 45TH PARALLEL as well as several award winning short films. Among over 50 motion pictures for which he has served as Camera and Steadicam operator, second unit director are TITUS, EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, RIPLEY’S GAME and the 2006 Italian Academy Award nominated DON’T TELL. Tv shows; RAY DONOVAN, AMERICAN CRIME, AQUARIUS, ALL AMERICAN.
Born in Palermo, Sicily, his father was an actor and owner of a TV network. Having been raised “on set”, he took particular interest in the camera. The set was his playground and the camera and its equipment his toys.
By the age of 13, Massimiliano had his first job as a camera operator. At the age of 24, he movied to Rome to further his career, and within two years, started working as a Director of Photography.
Over the years Massimiliano ha drawn inspiration from such cinematography legends as Vittorio Storaro, Gordon Willis, Robert Richardson, Giuseppe Rotunni, and Tonino Delli Colli.
With his keen ability to interpret the director’s visions through light, Massimiliano doesn’t just light the set and actors, but creates “moods” that follow the story lines. Known for his three-dimensional style of lighting, Trevis’s method of starting with the background and moving to the foreground with his lighting, creates the feeling as if the viewer is watching the scene with their natural eye. Massimiliano never approaches his projects using the same style of lighting, recognizing that each story is different and therefore should have its own lighting to complement and serve the story.
In December 2005, Massimiliano moved to Los Angeles, California with his family.