How did the idea / inspiration for this film come about?

The inspiration for this film came from a heartfelt conversation my friend Lea had with her mom, which made her reflect on what success really means. I really appreciated Lea’s openness about such a personal topic, and I felt it was a message many people could connect with. It’s a privilege as a filmmaker to help bring her story to life in a way that not only shares her journey but also inspires others to pause and reflect on their own definitions of success!

What gear and setup did you use for this short film, and how did it shape the final look?

Over the past year and a half, I’ve had the incredible opportunity of working with Sony on over seven projects, exploring a range of cameras, lenses, and microphones. For this short film, I decided to take a different approach, shooting entirely with prime lenses to achieve a cinematic and intentional look.

I found myself relying heavily on the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, while the new FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II surprised me with its lightweight and compact design, making it ideal for capturing intimate shots. Alongside these, I also used the 14mm and 50mm GM primes, shooting mostly in manual focus for a more raw feel.

Pairing these lenses with Sony’s FX3 and ECM-M1 microphone made the shooting process so much fun, allowing me to get creative and capture my shots exactly how I wanted them.

Out of all the lenses you used, which one was your favourite and why?

The 35mm would be my favourite because it's incredibly versatile, allowing me to capture a variety of scenes, whether wider shots or close-ups, without feeling too tight or too wide. A big part of this film was shot indoors, and the f/1.4 aperture helped me add depth to each shot. It also has a natural perspective, making it perfect for storytelling, especially for a personal short film like this one. We actually joked on set about how many times we mentioned '35' because I used it so much!

What was your favourite part about this project?

What made this project so special was working with a bigger team. From creatives to gaffers, everyone's knowledge and skills really helped us bring this story to life. It was also amazing to work on a film that’s so personal, especially since Lea is someone I've known even before I started filmmaking. Being able to tell her story made the experience and the project a whole lot more meaningful.

How did the FX3 help bring your creative vision to life on this project?

The FX3 really elevated my creative process, especially with its base ISOs, which were so important especially when shooting the nighttime scenes.

One detail I love about the camera is having the red record button on top, so you quickly know when the camera is recording. But sometimes, especially when you're talking to a crew member mid-shot, it’s easy to leave the camera recording by accident. This happens especially when you're focused on making the most of your time and light, so having that clear indication helps save battery life as well!

I love colour grading and having the ability to shoot in S-log3 4:2:2 10 bit gives me so much flexibility in post-production, allowing me to give the footage an exact feel I had in mind.

How did you incorporate sound into the storytelling, and how did Sony's microphones support that?

I believe sound is one of the most crucial elements in storytelling, that’s why when shooting, I always aim to capture in-camera audio, and for that, I used the ECM-M1 microphone. It's compact, cable-free, and by simply turning the dial on the back, you can easily switch between pickup patterns, with a lock button to prevent accidental changes. For the voiceover, we used the ECM-W3 microphone, which slides right into the hot shoe, ready to record!

Final thoughts

This project has really highlighted the power of the kit I had at my disposal, including the new 85mm GM II that helped me capture the intimate moments I wanted for this film. It's always a reminder of how important it is to work on projects you're truly passionate about and to surround yourself with a talented team of friends. Having the right gear, especially from Sony, continues to be a huge part of bringing my vision to life and capturing the stories I want to tell. And to top it all off, making a film about one of my closest friends made this project extra special!