Chair on Stair Films is all about creating. We specialize in video production & film editing. Our goal is to make your projects come to life. Whether it's your wedding day, business project, or a personal project, we put our passion into every shoot.
Derek Pfister is an award-winning cinematographer and editor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the founder of Chair on Stair Films. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Radio-TV-Film with a minor in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
With over 20 years of experience behind the lens, Derek has built a dynamic career that spans commercial, documentary, and narrative filmmaking. His work has taken him across the Midwest, capturing powerful stories and creating visually compelling content for a wide range of clients.
In 2024, Derek celebrated a career milestone when he contributed to the film Reasonable Doubt, which was screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. He is also the creator of The Next Frame, an inspiring documentary series that highlights the often-overlooked creative talent thriving throughout the Midwest.
Driven by a deep love for visual storytelling, Derek approaches every project with passion, purpose, and a commitment to uncovering the heart of the story. For him, film is more than a profession—it’s a calling.
  • Editor (15 Credits)
    Rearview2024
    Short
    Sirius Beta2024
    Short
    Just Pans2023
    Short
    Mariner's Widow2023
    Short
    The Next Frame | Jolee Mallmann2023
    Web / New Media
    Through the Lens | "The Passion Prophecies"2023
    Documentary
    Newton's Cradle2022
    Short
    The Next Frame | Alex Belville2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Greg Conley Jr.2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Joshua M. Hall2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Terry King2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Wes Tank2022
    Web / New Media
    Shutter Shock2021
    Short
    True Rule2021
    Short
    To Make An Omelette2020
    Short
  • Cinematography (15 Credits)
    Rearview2024
    Short
    Sirius Beta2024
    Short
    Get Em2023
    Short
    Just Pans2023
    Short
    Mariner's Widow2023
    Short
    The Next Frame | Jolee Mallmann2023
    Web / New Media
    Through the Lens | "The Passion Prophecies"2023
    Documentary
    Newton's Cradle2022
    Short
    The Next Frame | Alex Belville2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Greg Conley Jr.2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Joshua M. Hall2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Terry King2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Wes Tank2022
    Web / New Media
    Shutter Shock2021
    Short
    To Make An Omelette2020
    Short
  • Producer (14 Credits)
    Rearview2024
    Short
    Sirius Beta2024
    Short
    Just Pans2023
    Short
    Mariner's Widow2023
    Short
    The Next Frame | Jolee Mallmann2023
    Web / New Media
    Through the Lens | "The Passion Prophecies"2023
    Documentary
    Newton's Cradle2022
    Short
    The Next Frame | Alex Belville2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Greg Conley Jr.2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Joshua M. Hall2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Terry King2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Wes Tank2022
    Web / New Media
    Shutter Shock2021
    Short
    To Make An Omelette2020
    Short
  • Director (14 Credits)
    Rearview2024
    Short
    Sirius Beta2024
    Short
    Just Pans2023
    Short
    Mariner's Widow2023
    Short
    The Next Frame | Jolee Mallmann2023
    Web / New Media
    Through the Lens | "The Passion Prophecies"2023
    Documentary
    Newton's Cradle2022
    Short
    The Next Frame | Alex Belville2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Greg Conley Jr.2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Joshua M. Hall2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Terry King2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Wes Tank2022
    Web / New Media
    Shutter Shock2021
    Short
    To Make An Omelette2020
    Short
  • Writer (6 Credits)
    The Next Frame | Jolee Mallmann2023
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Alex Belville2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Greg Conley Jr.2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Joshua M. Hall2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Terry King2022
    Web / New Media
    The Next Frame | Wes Tank2022
    Web / New Media
  • Grip (2 Credits)
    Sirius Beta2024
    Short
    Reasonable Doubt2023
    Short
  • Grip - Electric (1 Credit)
    Silent Sonata2024
    Short
Nominee for Best Writing, Nominee for Best Editing, Nominee for Best Trailer, Best Acting in a leading role (Rainy Armstrong), Best Use of Line, Filmapalooza 2024 Official Selection
Reasonable Doubt
Yes We Cannes - Global Film Competition
2023
Honorable Mention
Mariner's Widow
Monster Pool Horror Fest
Ottawa, Ontario
2023
BEST USE OF GENRE Nomination
Mariner's Widow
WI Thrillers 48 Hour Film Project
Madison
2023
BEST SOUND DESIGN Nomination
Mariner's Widow
WI Thrillers 48 Hour Film Project
Madison
2023
BEST MAKE-UP
Mariner's Widow
WI Thrillers 48 Hour Film Project
Madison, WI
2023
FINALIST / Best Short Film
Mariner's Widow
The Strange Days Horror Fest
Oregon
2023
FINALIST / Best Short Film
Get Em
National Independent Film Association (NIFA Awards)
Appleton, WI
2023
SILVER AWARD - Documentary
Through the Lens | "The Passion Prophecies"
Salty Earth Film Festival
Fort Atkinson, WI
2023
BEST COMEDY SHORT
Just Pans
New Jersey Film Awards
New Jersey
2023
BEST POSTER Nomination
Just Pans
Wisconsin 48 Hour Film Project
Wisconsin
2023
BEST DIRECTOR Nomination
Just Pans
Wisconsin 48 Hour Film Project
Wisconsin
2023
Best Web Series
The Next Frame | Terry King
EdiPlay International Film Festival
Paris, France
2023
BEST EDITING Nomination
The Next Frame | Terry King
New Jersey Film Awards
New Jersey
2023
BEST WEB AND NEW MEDIA
The Next Frame | Terry King
Indie Cine Tube Awards
2023
BEST WEB SERIES
The Next Frame | Terry King
Swedish International Film Festival
Arvika
2023
BEST SERIES/PILOT
The Next Frame | Terry King
White Vulture Film Festival
New Jersey
2023
BEST Web Series/TV Pilot
The Next Frame | Terry King
New Jersey Film Awards
New Jersey
2023
BEST WEB SERIES/TV PILOT
The Next Frame | Wes Tank
Multi Dimension Independent Film Festival
London
2022
BEST FEATURE SERIES / TV PILOT / WEB SERIES
The Next Frame | Alex Belville
Movie Play International Film Festival
2022
Best Actress
Newton's Cradle
48 Hour Film Project
Milwaukee, WI
2022
Best Cinematography
Newton's Cradle
48 Hour Film Project
Milwaukee, WI
2022
Best Actress
Shutter Shock
48 Hour Film Project
Milwaukee, WI
2021
College
UW Oshkosh
Radio/TV/Film
Current City
Milwaukee, WI
Hometown
Wauwatosa, WI
Gender
Male
Pronouns
He/Him
Ethnicity
White
Eye Color
Blue
"Our mind is our open light."
~Derek Pfister
Chair on Stair Films is all about creating. We specialize in video production & film editing. Our goal is to make your projects come to life. Whether it's your wedding day, business project, or a personal project, we put our passion into every shoot.
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