"Morning Smoke" (2020)
Directed by: KHALID FAHAD
Written and Produced by: SAMEER BUTT
Cinematography by: GREG SUCHAREW
Starring: TIM TORRE
Project Overview
Saudi filmmaker, writer, and director Khalid Fahad hired me as Director of Photography for his short narrative titled “Morning Smoke.” The film was shot over the course of four days on locations throughout New York City.
As Director of Photography, I had to call on my artistic sensibilities in the lighting and framing of shots to create a consistent point-of-view for the audience. For this project, I also needed all of my logistics management and people management skills- it was my responsibility to put together a crew capable of executing the director’s vision. I put to use the talented network of industry professionals I have built up over the years.
I worked with Fahad to storyboard the film. From there, we worked with the producer, Sameer Butt, to create an ambitious shooting schedule. We had limited time to shoot the project as Fahad would only be in the United States for a short and inflexible number of days.
We completed principle production in four days; later I would shoot some requested pick-ups.
“Morning Smoke” premiered at the Manhattan Film Festival in 2020 and has since played in the 6th Annual Saudi Film Festival.
Check out a few images from the shoot below.
