Director of Photography
Director of Photography
Director of Photography
At its core, this brand film for Molly Tea's Toronto launch is a love letter to the creative process. Our vision was to bring the viewer directly into the mind of an artist, tracking the journey from a blank canvas to a state of total creative flow. It is a natural parallel to the art of tea-making itself: a celebration of stillness, quiet craftsmanship, and the irreplicable human touch.
At its core, this brand film for Molly Tea's Toronto launch is a love letter to the creative process. Our vision was to bring the viewer directly into the mind of an artist, tracking the journey from a blank canvas to a state of total creative flow. It is a natural parallel to the art of tea-making itself: a celebration of stillness, quiet craftsmanship, and the irreplicable human touch.
The location: an empty shell unit with bare walls and a concrete floor. A true 'blank canvas.'
The camera: an ARRI Alexa Mini LF. World renowned for its unmistakable, organic image, favoured for its beautiful colour science.
The lenses: rehoused Leica Noctilux optics from Zero Optik that merge vintage character with modern performance.
Watching a production come together is always an amazing experience, every member of the team working tirelessly to bring the vision to life. Camera, lighting, production design, and director all communicating and working in unison to achieve a common goal.
Watching a production come together is always an amazing experience, every member of the team working tirelessly to bring the vision to life. Camera, lighting, production design, and director all communicating and working in unison to achieve a common goal.
Once the frame is locked on the first setup, the whole team breathes a sigh of relief.
Once the frame is locked on the first setup, the whole team breathes a sigh of relief.
Tight, effective communication is the lifeblood of any set. As director, Joon anchored the production, driving key decisions and keeping the crew aligned throughout the day. He fostered a set culture that proved you don't have to sacrifice a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere to maintain absolute professionalism and high spirits.
DP Cody Preston (sporting his signature Crocs) and 1st AC Viktor Wallmark operated in seamless lockstep, keeping complex camera movements and razor-thin focus perfectly dialed in. Heavy cinema builds and vintage glass often slow down production with longer setup times, but their synergy kept the company moving fast without sacrificing an ounce of creative precision.
Even finding time and energy to experiment with some extra creative shots.
Even finding time and energy to experiment with some extra creative shots.
Art direction and production design is key to crafting a world that the film lives in. Taking what would just be an empty room, and lifting it into something that feels real and tangible to the audience. The production designer, Sodam Hong, meticulously layered props and art supplies to breathe life into the room. She successfully elevated the blank canvas into a tangible, authentic artist's studio.
Art direction and production design is key to crafting a world that the film lives in. Taking what would just be an empty room, and lifting it into something that feels real and tangible to the audience. The production designer, Sodam Hong, meticulously layered props and art supplies to breathe life into the room. She successfully elevated the blank canvas into a tangible, authentic artist's studio.
Ultimately, the project's success hinged on adaptability. Documenting an artist's process meant navigating creative unknowns. During pre-production, it required constant, transparent communication with the talent to balance what could be authentically captured in the moment versus what needed to be prepped beforehand. On set, it meant responding to the artwork as it evolved in real time, staying light on our feet to reframe and adjust as the blank canvas slowly came to life .
Ultimately, the project's success hinged on adaptability. Documenting an artist's process meant navigating creative unknowns. During pre-production, it required constant, transparent communication with the talent to balance what could be authentically captured in the moment versus what needed to be prepped beforehand. On set, it meant responding to the artwork as it evolved in real time, staying light on our feet to reframe and adjust as the blank canvas slowly came to life .
Of course there would be nothing to capture if there was no light! Gaffer Indy Wilson did a phenomenal job sculpting the space, utilizing an Aputure lighting package commanded from his signature orange iPad control center, to dial in the perfect mood and tonal contrast for every setup.
Of course there would be nothing to capture if there was no light! Gaffer Indy Wilson did a phenomenal job sculpting the space, utilizing an Aputure lighting package commanded from his signature orange iPad control center, to dial in the perfect mood and tonal contrast for every setup.
As the artist sinks deeper into their flow state, the boundary between the physical studio and their inspiration begins to blur. To visualize this deep immersion into the craft, the director envisioned the artist carving their stamp while completely surrounded by a field of blooming flowers. We brought this internal world to life through VFX, rendering and compositing whimsical florals alongside stylized growth animations to beautifully elevate the sequence.
As the artist sinks deeper into their flow state, the boundary between the physical studio and their inspiration begins to blur. To visualize this deep immersion into the craft, the director envisioned the artist carving their stamp while completely surrounded by a field of blooming flowers. We brought this internal world to life through VFX, rendering and compositing whimsical florals alongside stylized growth animations to beautifully elevate the sequence.
As we wrap this project, we’re left with deep gratitude for the talented cast and crew who transformed an empty concrete shell into a breathing world of artistic expression. A massive thank you to everyone who poured their energy into this from pre-production through final delivery, and to Molly Tea for trusting us to bring this vision to life.
Please head over to our Instagram to give the crew some love! More to follow on IG, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Looking forward to working with all of you again in the near future.
— GRAYN
As we wrap this project, we’re left with deep gratitude for the talented cast and crew who transformed an empty concrete shell into a breathing world of artistic expression. A massive thank you to everyone who poured their energy into this from pre-production through final delivery, and to Molly Tea for trusting us to bring this vision to life.
Please head over to our Instagram to give the crew some love! More to follow on IG, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Looking forward to working with all of you again in the near future.
— GRAYN
