BTS of overall filming

 Monday February 23, 2026

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Over the weekend I made it a point to get the filming done in full. It was the last step that I needed to complete in order for me to start the editing process. Each filming location turned out exactly how I wanted, same with the costuming. I was extremely happy with the footage that I got out of it and now al I ave to do it piece it together!

This process really put my skills to the test. I have only worked with a tripod a handful of times before this, so I was still fairly new on how to operate and control it according to the specific shot I was shooting. Like for example in one of the final scenes we filmed, I got to utilize the tilt technique, which is something that I have never done before. For some of the scenes I had to adjust my preset camera setting to adhere to the change in lighting that was happening throughout the day. 

I wanted each movement that I captured of them to feel natural and authentic. Making it reach a more deep connection, and that wasn't that hard to do since my two actors are together in real life. For a lot of the happy/ fun scenes, I really just told them to be theirselves and pretend that the camera isn't even here and it made for some really beautiful shots, displaying their relationship front and center.

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Every bit of symbolism or creative choice that I talked about within my past posts all came to life on set on Saturday. I remember talking about having sunlight shine through the trees to represent Lees light escaping him, and the sun was shining down perfectly to capture that essence when we were filming. Both locations that I talked about ended up being so perfect for the specific shots that I had in mind; they each carried a different vibe and that was perfect for separating them into the happy and sad scenes. I only say that because it could be easy to lose that differentiating factor, and in having one location being completely out in the open and the other being majority enclosed, it separates the feelings.

My main thing was that I really just wanted the setting to be lush and full of life, to reinforce the life that Lee is losing. I am just so happy that I was able to communicate that through the screen and chose out places that were perfect for it.

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I really think that the filming went exactly how I wanted and I couldn't be happier about the outcome! I had a lot of fun filming and directing and thats how I wanted to approach this project in the first place. I really just wanted to have fun with it and take away any stressful feelings that I had towards this project, and in doing that it made the experiences that much more fun; making it feel like something that I enjoy rather than just another project.

I got to work on my passion for photography all the while working on this project and that is so special to me. I can't wait to edit it all together next, i'll see you there!

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I also made a little BTS video below, check it out! -- BTS video