Spotlight
Biography
After completing a BFA in Cinematography from the State University of New York at Purchase, Frank’s exploration of technique continued through work on many independent features and TV commercials as a gaffer. During this period he learned quickly to balance speed and efficiency with artistry and vision.
Frank’s first credit as Director of Photography was for the award-winning Runaway, by Tim McCann, starring Aaron Stanford and Robin Tunney. His follow-up was the Student Academy Award-winning film by Cady Abarca, El Viaje. Frank’s work on El Viaje was featured in the December 2006 issue of American Cinematographer Magazine.
Frank continued to DP a wide range of projects, including Wainy Days, the award-winning web series directed by David Wain (Role Models, Wanderlust) and Jonathan Mossek’s As Good as Dead, starring Cary Elwes, Brian Cox, and Andie MacDowell.
Most recently Frank shot the critically-acclaimed feature In the Family by Patrick Wang. The film was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. American Cinematographer again featured Frank and his work on this film in a podcast interview on the AC website.
News and Press
View all- Frank Barrera on American Cinematographer Podcast
- 28 September 2012
- Frank Barrera was featured on The American Society of Cinematographers Podcast talking about his work on "In The Family" Check it out at...









