Waiting at the End of the World (2023)

My first big major student production I worked on in my first year of University, and this was the first time I had shot a short-film as a cinematographer. The film is written and directed by Owen Smith, and it follows a character named Derek, living in an apocalyptic safe house built by his father. There is a mysteriously dangerous white glow outside, causing an apocalypse. He awaits for his father for what seems like months, but as he hits day 40, he receives a phone call from a random child, begging for help. Derek contemplates whether he should go out and safe him, or to wait for his father. As the film goes on, we go on a deeper insight into Derek's perspective and we question what we are experiencing is real or not, and as this happens Derek starts to think for himself instead of relying on the uncertainty of whether his father will return or not. The director, Owen, wanting the safe house to have a orange look to the film, to match the gritty and apocalyptic nature of the film. I took this into account when setting up the lights on the set we had built with the rest of the crew and we also strived to create intimacy with Derek, as the use of handheld camera movement and close up shots gives you an insight into his collapsing and panicked mental state. We all worked really hard together as a crew and got great feedback from our tutors. I hope you enjoy watching the film as much as we did making it!