Court

Project Overview:
Court is a slice-of-life short film that explores the friendship and rivalry between two friends who connect through badminton. The story captures how competition strengthens their bond, where words fade, and emotions unfold through the rhythm of the game. This project marked my first experience as an Assistant Director of Photography (DoP) under filmmaker Shridhar Sudhir, where I contributed to shaping the film’s visual tone and narrative flow through camera work, composition, and lighting.

Cinematography & Visual Approach:
The film’s visual style was designed to mirror the energy of the sport while reflecting the emotional undertones of friendship and rivalry. Dynamic handheld and tracking shots brought realism and rhythm, while close-ups highlighted expressions of determination and connection. A natural lighting palette was used to retain authenticity, with high contrast and shadow play adding depth and tension to key sequences.

My Role & Contributions:
As Assistant DoP, I assisted in camera setup, lighting coordination, and shot planning, ensuring smooth transitions between emotional and action-driven scenes. I collaborated on location scouting, identifying the ideal court to complement the film’s tone and worked closely with the cinematography team to achieve a consistent visual language throughout.

Final Outcome:
Court successfully combines the thrill of sport with the warmth of human connection. The film’s cinematography enhances the emotional core of the story, reflecting passion, rivalry, and friendship. This experience honed my skills in visual storytelling, camera operation, and lighting, shaping my understanding of how visuals can express unspoken emotion.