In the spring of 2025, I collaborated with Chicago writer Daniel Lane to produce and direct his short spy thriller script "Spider"
CINEMATOGRAPHY
For the cinematography, I was inspired by the Nordic Noir genre, and other films like "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", "Nightcrawler", "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "Poker Face" with their soft shadows and cool tones.
Ultimately, this film is about the two characters trying to discover their counterpart's alliegiances, without giving away their own. Visually, I wanted to create a feeling of uncertainty and obfuscation, so I opted for bloomed highlights and visual softness and atmosphere through the use of a Black Mist 3 Filter, and lots of Aerosol Haze. I also chose to light the film 360 degrees to ensure coverage could work from any angle. In the film, I played with the use of warm vs. cool split lighting on our actors. At various key moments we flip which side of the actors' faces we're looking at calling into question which face is truthful vs. a cover.
RESULTS
INSPIRATION
PRODUCTION DESIGN
For the production design, it was important to reflect the look of an interrogation room. We found a space with low ceilings, overhead point-sourced lighting, and barred windows to shoot in. I really enjoyed using the halls of the police station to create a warm source of lighting that spills into the interrogation room, while motivating our cool light from the outdoors. Since the story takes place in the far northern border of Norway and Russia,
The Location
In speaking with the writer Dan Lane, he mentioned that this film was inspired by an article that described tensions at the border town of Kirkenes Norway. This town hosts a UN base that keeps tabs on a nearby Russian nuclear base. The article spoke about how Russia has been conducting propaganda campaigns to stake claims to Kirkenes, with the goal of moving their border and reducing their international oversight. This idea is central to the complex relationship between the two characters in this film. For this film I studied the geography of the area and I wanted leave an easter egg that hints to Linus' true allegiance. Hanging in the interrogation room is a map of the region where the Russian border has been changed to envelop the town of Kirkenes. A dark omen that perhaps the corruption in this Norwegian border office has run deeper than expected.
For wall decor, I found photos of Norwegian Polics officers and Photoshopped them in front of the Norwegian Flag to look like Norwegian Police Office Photos to fill up the blank white gallery walls. The setting to this film is important. Khaled is unsure if he officially made it over the border of Russia, and I wanted to initially set him at ease with Norwegian flags and police photos - only to set up the twist towards the end that Linus is operating on behalf of Russia.
I wanted the production design of the film to add to the curiosity and mystery of the film. From an old soviet-looking security camera to the russian match brand, elements in the film call into question Linus's alliegiance and also subtly support the final twist.
HAIR MAKEUP AND COSTUMING
The character Khaled has just been found in the frozen tundra and was held overnight by border patrol. It was important for me him to show signs of wind-chapped lips and skin, and bruising from his handcuffs.
SOCIAL MEDIA
TRAILER
BEHIND THE SCENES
