Over the summer, I had an incredible opportunity to work as the Director of Photography for Soudabeh Moradian's captivating new feature film, The Mermaid. This thought-provoking movie follows the story of a young woman who is rescued from drowning and taken into the care of a family living in a secluded beach house. As the film delves into the dynamics between this mysterious outsider and the family, it uncovers deep-seated social issues.
Filmed in Upstate NY, The Mermaid is a psychological horror film that challenges our assumptions and dives into the depths of human emotions. As the Director of Photography, my role was to create visually stunning imagery that supported the storytelling.
Shot for black and white with the Red Scarlet-W (Dragon 5K Sensor) and the crisp CP.3 Zeiss lenses, I used the renowned Kodak Panatomic-X emulsion as an inspiration to produce the images. The low grain and amazing tonality values of this old panchromatic emulsion served as a reference for the viewing LUT design and allowed me to create a unique atmosphere for each scene.
In close collaboration with the director, we meticulously crafted each frame, utilizing a deep focus strategy to enhance the natural flow of the story and build tension throughout. The film features an exceptional cast including Asiyeh Ziaei, Thom Miller, Natalie De Vicentiis, Mary Fry, and Jeremy Todd Schinder. I was fortunate to work alongside a talented crew of dedicated professionals and aspiring filmmakers from Syracuse University.
Working on The Mermaid's set was an extraordinary experience, and I am grateful to have been a part of this project. I eagerly await the final product, excited to see the end result of our collective efforts. Below you can watch additional shots from the film. Enjoy!
