Massimo Zeri, born in Rome, Italy, started shooting short films at the age of 12 with his father's 8mm camera. He was enrolled at the “Roberto Rossellini” Film School of Rome, where he graduated with adegree in camera techniques and cinematography. He began working as a cameraman for several television networks in Rome. But only after attending UCLA was he able to break into the motion pictures industry. He began working as camera assistant and operator for such renowned cinematographers and directors as Nestor Almendros, Jack Cardiff, Donald McAlpine, Vittorio Storaro, Luciano Tovoli, Vilmos Zsigmond, Bruce Beresford, Federico Fellini, Alberto Sordi, Paul Mazursky and Francis FordCoppola. Massimo's credits includes “Tempest” starring John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon and Raul Julia; “Table for Five” starring Jon Voight, Richard Crenna and Molly Perkins; “King David” starring Richard Gere and “New York Stories” starring Giancarlo Giannini.

Filmography