Personal details
- Birth Location: Quito, Ecuador
- Professions: Cinematographer, Camera and Electrical Department, Producer
Chediak grew up in Quito, Ecuador, but honestly, his path to filmmaking was anything but typical. He bounced around a bit—first studying communication science in Santiago de Chile, then heading to Madrid to dive into photography. Eventually, the energy of New York sucked him in, and he landed at NYU’s film program from ’92 to ’96. Not exactly a straight line, but hey, most creative journeys aren’t. Pretty soon, he got his hands dirty working behind the scenes. In '95, he was running the camera on “American Southern,” a film directed by John Joshua Clayton. Not exactly a blockbuster, but definitely a foot in the door. Fast-forward a bit—a lot of hustling, a few more credits—and then, in 2010, he’s part of the crew for “127 Hours.” Now that movie? Wild ride. Based on the true story of Aron Ralston, the guy who got stuck in a canyon and, well, had to do some extreme self-surgery to survive. The movie’s all tension and grit, and Chediak’s work behind the scenes helped nail that claustrophobic vibe. What’s also cool is the crew he worked with. Chediak teamed up with Anthony Dod Mantle, a British cinematographer who’s kind of a legend in his own right. Their collaboration on “127 Hours” didn’t go unnoticed. The film scooped up a bunch of nominations, and Chediak himself got a nod from the British Academy for Best Cinematography in 2011. Not too shabby for someone who started out snapping photos in Madrid and just kept chasing the next adventure.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since 2016, which is kind of a big deal in the film world. AMPAS is the crew behind the Oscars, so getting in is basically like getting the golden ticket to the Hollywood chocolate factory—minus the Oompa Loompas, obviously. Not everyone gets to join; it’s a pretty exclusive club. Membership means you’re recognized by your peers as someone who’s made a real impact in the movie industry. Plus, you get to vote on who takes home those shiny gold statuettes every year (no pressure, right?). People in AMPAS come from all corners of filmmaking—actors, directors, writers, even folks who work behind the scenes. Being a member isn’t just about the glam, though. It’s also about shaping the future of movies, keeping standards high, and, let’s be real, getting some bragging rights at dinner parties.
Konidela Ram Charan
Quito, Ecuador