Short Films

Rouhi (My Soul)

Roles: Writer, Director and Casting Director

Rouhi (My Soul) is my primary graduation film from my time at Arts University Bournemouth. The conception on Rouhi began in April of 2021, where I developed the basic structure and emotional beats of the story before pitching it to our cohort and tutors. Over that summer I wrote the first draft of the script. Come the fall, Rouhi was one of ten films picked out of fifty that were pitched.

We began the crowdfunding process with a page I designed and created myself. Over the following months, I casted the film using spotlight, holding virtual auditions and table reads along the way. As director I worked closely with all departments, designing and building the temple set, collaborating on VFX plate shots, location scouting and much more. In March of 2022 we shot over five days, and had an incredible time making the film and having my crew together finally.

As the story is one that takes inspiration from my own relationship with my father, the loss of his mother and the guilt of the immigration process, this film is incredibly personal to me.

Stargazer

Role: 2nd Assistant Director

I worked on Stargazer from early 2021 until summer of that year. During the production of the film I was stuck with my family in Dubai, which was a red-list country at the time, meaning I could not travel back to the UK. As 2nd AD I was responsible for Call Sheets and Movement Orders, as well as the distribution of these documents.

As the Producer was swamped with several other tasks, I stepped up and also took the responsibility of arranging travel for the cast whilst they were in Bournemouth for the shoot.

After shooting had wrapped, I continued to help the Producer with finance and crowdfunding reward related paperwork.

This is a really great short that I was so proud to be a part of and taught me so much about the administrative and logistical side of filmmaking.

Internal Consumption

Role: Producer

Internal Consumption was the first film we made during the pandemic. As Producer I was responsible for making plans such as one way routes around the studio, distribution of PPE as well testing and monitoring during the shoot.

Covid aside, there were many other challenges to making this short. I worked closely with the Production Designer to create plans to make the sludge like substance, seen on multiple occasions, in a way that would still be safe for the cast and crew.

I worked with the director to cast the film, attending auditions, and then went on to organise catering and transport for them. I created an elaborate Risk Assessment that incorporated all aspects of health and safety as well as the SFX makeup that was entirely new to me.

Ophelia

Role: Writer and Director

Ophelia is one of the first projects we worked on at film school. It is a silent short that was shot on a Bolex.

I wrote the script and directed our camera op and actors on the day that we shot. As we knew it was going to be silent, we wanted it to be visually pleasing. I worked with a costume student to design and create both character’s mediveal costumes.

A group of us also completed a location recce and found a beautiful tower next to a river and bridge that we ended up shooting at on a very cold November day. We later edited the raw film by hand and screened it at the end of the unit.

Great Britain

Role: 1st Assistant Director

I came onboard Great Britain in January of 2022, just two months before shooting was due to begin. I replaced the previous 1st AD, taking on a secondary film during graduation film production.

In terms of number of shots, locations and unit moves, Great Britain was very ambitious and promised a challenge. Scheduling took a lot of patience and tinkering to get just right. I also attended every day of the two week long set build.

When we got to the shoot is where it got slightly more complicated. The lead actor and our director tested positive for Covid half way through day three of the five day shoot. This resulted in me having to quickly formulate an alternative plan that ket our cast and crew safe while still getting done shots with our lead actress in order to not waste time.

We ended up having to shut down production for two weeks and I had to reschedule based on what shots we had left to do. In the end we managed to get every shot and more completed, resulting in what I believe to be a very strong and heartfelt short.

His Struggle

Role: 1st Assistant Director

His Struggle was the first time I took on the role of 1st AD, and I fell in love with the role practically straight away. Something about the scheduling process really scratched an itch within my brain.

I was lucky that for my first time within this role, I worked with an incredibly collaborative and assured director. I truly enjoyed running the set and ensuring we were working to schedule whilst also creating a fun working environment.

This was a short made in the height of Covid and I had to magian numbers on set and enforce protocols to make sure everyone was kept safe.

Full English

Role: Casting Director

I was initially attracted to Full English because of it’s fantastic script. However, I knew that for the short to be effective, it needed to be casted well for the sake of the performances that balance drama and comedy.

As this short was made during the pandemic, I casted it remotely. I created breakdowns of the characters based on the script and defined a transport and accommodation budget with the Director and Producer. With this I put an ad on StarNow and began sorting through applications to create a shortlist.

As the film has five characters, I scheduled a total of over twenty zoom auditions where we did script read throughs with the Director. Once we had made a decision, I drew up contracts and continued correspondence with the talent.

Unlocked

Role: Writer, Director and Producer

I made unlocked with two of my closest friends in my final year of Sixth Form. It was a short we made as part of Sony Middle East’s Innovation Stories Competition. Our pitch was entered on behalf of our college by our Media Studies teacher. Once we were selected, we attended a workshop and were given our equipment.

The entire short was shot with just a Sony Handicap Camcorder and a Tripod which was a challenge. We had no budget and filmed using our friends who took Drama Studies in the middle of our preparation for A-Level exams.

We entered our final cut and attended the awards ceremony a month later where we won top prize. To see photos of us receiving our awards go to the On-Set photos tab.