Expectations (2017)
Intertwining love stories shown through the rapidly developing online dating scene.
Shot on the Canon 5D Mark III
My Role: Co-Director, Co-Writer, Cinematographer in collaboration with Carina Grodek + Editor, Audio, Colour, Graphics
Toronto Youth Shorts
Featured at the TYS 180 Showcase as a part of Doors Open Toronto (2018) at Nathan Philips Square (Toronto City Hall).
Behind the Scenes
We used some tricks to get the shots we wanted, for instance a skateboard as a dolly. Many shots were handheld because we didn’t have access to a steadicam or any type of rig at the time, so we solely stabilized in post,
Graphics and Credits
I designed the text bubbles reminiscent of both iMessage and Facebook Messenger while using our film’s distinct teal.
To make the credits fit the theme of the short, I created the same graphics I used on the text bubbles within the film to pull everything together.
Rationale
Even though this seems like a film about online dating, it’s really one about friendship and betrayal. It’s about managing our expectations in numerous areas, from what dating apps can get us (as Antony’s character shows), to a lack of response from someone we like on Facebook (Brianna’s character), to liking the same person as our best friend (Daria). Ultimately showing us that people you go out from dating apps with might be infatuated with someone else and only there to find a distraction, and you might have only matched in the first place because a friend was swiping for them. Meanwhile, your friend could be interested in the same person as you and choose to go out with them behind your back. Dating with low expectations is the not so light suggestion our film is making.
We shot in three locations on three different days, my room (opening shot), an Air BnB (the living room), and Demetres Richmond Hill location to end off. This is one of the first projects I made with an actual crew even though the crew was just Carina and I, occasionally assisted by one of our friends.
