Project Knight!

Project Knight! was produced for the University of Wollongong Dubai Film Festival. Filmed over three days at Al Barsha Pond Park, the production was shot almost entirely outdoors during the Dubai summer, making the weather one of the biggest challenges throughout the shoot.

Although the film didn’t win in the festival, the experience was an important step in developing my camera skills and learning how a production adapts when things don’t go according to plan.

I worked as First Assistant Camera, Gaffer, and Production Assistant.

As First AC, I supported the camera department by operating the slate, tracking completed shots, assisting with framing, and supporting the camera team throughout production. Keeping track of each setup became especially important during the edit since I was responsible for marking completed takes.

Because the production was filmed entirely outdoors, my lighting work was limited compared to other projects. Most of my role as Gaffer involved working with reflectors to shape the available sunlight rather than building traditional lighting setups.

As a Production Assistant, I also helped wherever needed across the set. One memorable challenge came when we were almost forced to stop filming due to permit issues, which meant switching from the main camera to a phone so the shoot could continue. It was a reminder that filmmaking often comes down to adapting quickly.

Project Knight! reminded me that no shoot ever goes exactly to plan. Filming outdoors in the Dubai heat, dealing with permit issues, and eventually switching to a phone all meant we had to keep adapting throughout production. It showed me that there’s a lot of things for me to learn.