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A film about friendship,
A film about friendship,
rivalry, and the court
Court is a slice-of-life short film that explores the dynamic between two friends who compete fiercely in badminton. Their bond is defined by the game — where personal differences dissolve, leaving only sport and unspoken camaraderie.
The film captures friendship, rivalry, and the raw emotions that unfold within the boundaries of the court. Every shot was crafted to feel both intimate and kinetic — close enough to feel the tension, wide enough to feel the space between them.
This project marked my first experience as an Assistant Director of Photography under filmmaker Shridhar Sudhir. My role focused on contributing to the visual storytelling and ensuring the cinematography effectively conveyed the film's emotional undercurrent.
Role
Assistant Director of Photography
Director
Shridhar Sudhir
Visual Style
High-contrast Naturalistic
Techniques
Handheld · Slow-motion · Tracking
Awards
Multiple Short Film Festival Selections
On Set · Camera Op
Monitor · Director's View
Lighting · Studio Setup
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Visual
Visual
approach
Framing & Composition
Camera movements synchronized with player actions. Tight close-ups captured intensity; wide shots established spatial contrast between their playstyles and personalities.
Lighting & Mood
Naturalistic lighting preserved setting authenticity. High-contrast shadows and selective light sources amplified tension during competitive sequences.
Camera Movement
Handheld shots gave the match sequences energy and documentary realism. Slow-motion highlighted key moments; tracking shots followed movement fluidly.
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My contributions
C.01
Camera Operation & Coverage
Assisted in setting up and operating the camera for dynamic shots. Ensured smooth transitions between match sequences and dialogue moments. Planned angles to highlight contrasts in character playstyles.
C.02
Location Scouting & Set Planning
Worked with the production team to find a court that aesthetically complemented the film. Analyzed available lighting conditions to plan effective shot compositions before shooting began.
C.03
Lighting & Scene Execution
Helped configure lighting setups to maintain visual consistency. Adjusted camera placements for maximum impact in action and emotional beats. Collaborated to ensure continuity across scenes.
C.04
Multi-camera Coordination
Managed multi-camera setups for dynamic match sequences, coordinating angles to capture the full spatial and emotional range of each rally while maintaining visual continuity.
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Final outcome
Court delivered a visually compelling and emotionally resonant story.
The film successfully captured the themes of friendship, rivalry, and passion through deliberate visual choices — from the naturalistic lighting philosophy to the kinetic handheld sequences that placed the audience inside the match.
The project refined skills in cinematography, lighting, and framing while deepening an understanding of how visual language serves narrative. The experience of coordinating under a director's vision — translating script emotion into camera decisions — was foundational.
The project refined skills in cinematography, lighting, and framing while deepening an understanding of how visual language serves narrative. The experience of coordinating under a director's vision — translating script emotion into camera decisions — was foundational.
Short Film Festival Selection
Multiple Festival Circuit · 2024
Best Cinematography Nomination
Student Film Review · Regional
Official Screening
ANTV Broadcast · National
Jury Recognition
Ahang Short Film Festival · 2024
Back to work
Yash Dahiya · 2025