Eddy

Chad Erickson grew up in the small town of Cambridge, Illinois, where he spent many days and nights shooting video projects with friends, dreaming of heading west to California. After high school and an Associate of Arts degree in Broadcast Communication at Black Hawk College, Chad transferred to Chicago’s Columbia College to study film.

Week one at Columbia saw Chad with a Bolex in hand, loaded with a 100-foot daylight spool of reversal film. He focused on shooting as much as possible, on every type of camera, and quickly the world of filmmaking opened.

After graduating in 1998, he secured an internship with Panavision Chicago while also working in various departments on films around the city. Eventually Chad was offered a camera intern position on High Fidelity (working with Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC, and Key 1^st David Morenz), which pushed everything in the right direction.

One year and many indie projects later, Chad officially joined Local 600 as a film loader. Over the next five years, he learned from countless Chicago assistants in a very talented and tight-knit community. By 2003 he made the trip west to work on the pilot for The OC and decided to stay for good. The show NCIS came next, altering the course of Chad’s life forever. Working with the best crew, under the leadership of William Webb, ASC, and Key 1st Mike Riba, he experienced a time of great growth. It was on NCIS that Chad met and worked with his now wife Kim Erickson, and together they’ve raised their daughter, Malone (currently a senior in high school). Starting as a 2^nd AC, then spending twelve years as a focus puller until recently making the transition to operator, Chad has always been about patience and learning while moving through the ranks. He embraced every challenge and has appreciated the leaders who shared knowledge and gave him chances.

Now in his 17th season with NCIS, he is thoroughly enjoying his role as B-camera operator.

Working on Eddy with director Richie Owens, producer Heather Owens, and the wonderful cast has been a transitional time for Chad as he explores the role of director of photography. From the early concept talks to the final days of color timing with George Delaney, the entire journey has been one of collaborative creativity. Being a small camera/electric crew, both Steadicam operator James Troost and master of all trades Chris Liner have dived in to make the best film possible.

Chad is extremely thankful for his wife and daughter for their endless support and love. He’s thankful to family and friends for their impactful relationships. And, oh yeah – mom and dad, Chad thanks you for picking up that VHS camcorder from QVC in the mid-eighties; it was a true game changer.