Steven Reizes

Updated on: August 4, 2025

Basic Information

Early Life & Education

Steven Reizes, from Montreal, Quebec, found his love of visual storytelling in his midteens. He was 16 when he started writing and directing Super-8 short films for community festivals. His 1981 short film Second Story Man earned the Student Award at the Festival des Films du Monde, launching his cinematography career.

Reizes attended McGill University after high school, first studying literature but later switching to communications in 1983 to pursue cinema interests. In 1988, he earned a BFA in film production from Concordia University after mastering 16 mm camera operation, lighting design workshops, and collaborative student films.

Education Timeline

Career Trajectory & Notable Works

Over 25 years, Reizes went from camera operator to director of photography, working on television, cinema, commercial, and music video productions. His work blends technical rigor and narrative visual language.

• Cold Squad (CTV, 1998–2003): Shot 54 episodes across five seasons, establishing a gritty, documentary-style aesthetic. His lighting designs in Season 3’s finale earned specific acclaim for tension-driven shadows and dynamic camera movement.
• Flashpoint (CBS/Toronto, 2008–2012): As one of the first Canadian series to adopt the ARRI Alexa digital cinema camera in 2009, Reizes blended filmic grain with digital clarity, elevating hostage-rescue sequences through fluid tracking shots and low-light mastery.
• Sort Of (CBC/HBO Max, 2021–2023): Served as Director of Photography for 13 episodes, crafting a visual palette that supported the show’s genre-bending tone; his work on episode 7, “Sort Of Stable,” drew a 2022 Gemini Award nomination for Best Photography in a Comedy Series.

Beyond flagship series, Reizes has shot over 40 commercial spots and 20 music videos, collaborating with major brands and recording artists between 1990 and 2000, further showcasing his adaptability across formats.

Awards & Recognition

Reizes’ career is marked by both early and sustained peer recognition, reflecting his technical innovation and storytelling impact.

In 1997, his cinematography on the dramatic TV movie Little Criminals earned a Best Photography nomination at the 12th Gemini Awards. Twenty-five years later, his lighting and camera choreography on Sort Of secured a second nod, confirming a career‐long commitment to excellence.

Technical Mastery & Style

Reizes is celebrated for a fluency that spans film and digital cinematography:

• Film Camera Operation: Mastered 16 mm workflows in the 1980s, including manual focus pulls and in-camera exposure techniques.
• Digital Innovation: Early adopter of the ARRI Alexa on Flashpoint (2009), integrating on-set digital review stations to streamline dailies and post workflows.
• Lighting Design: Known for sculpting mood through contrast ratios as high as 6:1 in dramatic sequences, while employing subtle three-point setups for comedic timing.
• Camera Movement: Proficient in Steadicam, dolly, and handheld rigs; logged over 10,000 tracked feet on series productions.

His membership in the Canadian Society of Cinematographers since 1995 underscores peer recognition of his technical mastery and willingness to mentor emerging cinematographers through workshops and presentations.

Personal Life

Steven Reizes keeps his life secret. On December 16, 1990, he married American actress Lauri Hendler, who played Julie Kanisky on Gimme a Break! (1981–1986). No children are listed for the Toronto couple. Except for guild gatherings and behind-the-scenes workshops, Reizes rarely appears publicly.

Recent Activity & Unverified Projects

Since his 2022 Gemini Award nomination, Reizes has not granted interviews or appeared on social media. Industry databases list two potential cinematography credits for 2025:

No official trade-press announcements or press-kit confirmations have emerged as of August 4, 2025, suggesting these titles may be in early development or speculative listings.

FAQ

Who is Steven Reizes?

Steven Reizes is a Canadian cinematographer known for his two-decade career in television series such as Cold Squad, Flashpoint, and Sort Of.

Which award nominations has he received?

He earned a Festival des Films du Monde Student Award in 1981 and Gemini Award nominations in 1997 and 2022.

Who is he married to?

He is married to American actress Lauri Hendler, best known for her role on Gimme a Break!.

Where did he study film?

After studying Literature and Communications at McGill University, he earned a BFA in Film Production from Concordia University.

Are there any confirmed 2025 projects?

As of August 2025, Al Batal and Taht Sabea Ard are listed in industry databases but remain unverified.

References