Thanks for visiting my site! Click above to watch my animation and cinematography reel, and browse below through the rest of my portfolio. My most recent work was made at the UCLA Animation Workshop, where I focused my MFA on 3D computer animation. Having recently graduated in March of 2020, I'm currently pursuing work in animation layout and/or live-action pre-visualization. Contact me via the information at the top right corner of the site, where you can also find my resume.
ANIMATION
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Live Action Pre-Viz
September Morning (2017)
narrative feature
"When the world was falling apart, they came together. In the first dark hours of September 12th, 2001, five college freshmen stay up all night in a dorm room confronting the promises of youth that have been severed by national tragedy." IMDB.
In addition to my role as the Director of Photography, September Morning was one of my first opportunities to fully utilize pre-visualization as a production tool. Along with Director, Ryan Frost, we designed the shot structure of the film in the computer using Blender. This proved an invaluable tool throughout the production, particularly in regards to building visual progression for camera movement.
Apart from the narrative advantages, the ability to design the lighting using IES lighting data allowed for an accurate and precise control for the film. Both a natural and appealing "overhead fluorescent look" was quite challenging, as was building a visual progression within such flat conditions. Pre-viz allowed for precise control for gag lighting, and subtle changes in ratios and color temperature.
To achieve an "early 2000s" look, we filmed using Panavision's Genesis camera. It's size and weight worked against our tight set — even with the means to swing away walls. However, our work in the computer allowed us to think practically within the space, and more deliberately on theme with our camera movement.
The film was distributed by Candy Factory Films and we premiered at the Vista in Los Angeles, which, as my old neighborhood theatre, was a treat. Click here to watch the full film.
narrative short
The Press Conference (2016)
I was the Director of Photography on The Press Conference, which — full disclosure — was directed by my wife, Meera Menon. Made as part of the Shatterbox Anthology for Refinery29, The Press Conference was our first collaborative opportunity since we made Farah Goes Bang.
As a single Steadicam shot, this film was technically challenging. After many scouts and rehearsal, Meera and I blocked the camera movement in the computer using Blender. The size and scale of the location was further complicated by the 360 degree view throughout the shot. Pre-viz helped with the optimal placement of lighting. Filmed on Arri ALEXA Mini, with 40mm anamorphic Kowa lens.
