THE QUARTERLIFE DOLPHINS (2023) is a mockumentary following a mediocre garage band in the week leading up to their first concert.

dir. Preston Lynn, prod. Samantha Hussey

This film was a significant departure from anything I’d shot. Not only was it the first comedy I’d shoot but a mockumentary as well. This project was more challenging than it appears. It was important to frame each scene in a way that felt completely improvised and unrehearsed despite many of the film’s long takes being heavily choreographed. This film also required a different approach to lighting than I was used to. Setups needed to be light and quick and no shot should feel like it was artificially lit. This film needed to look like it was all point-and-shoot. This meant embracing imperfections; not getting the perfect contrast ratios, letting details fall into shadow, not getting to wrap the key light as much as I wanted to, or needing to wrap the key more than I wanted.

This film is currently playing in festivals.