Shock! A New Horror!

“Appetite” unfolds in a rural Australian town where a harrowing epidemic is spreading, turning teenagers into grotesque, undead creatures with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. These beings lurk within society, yet they are met with repulsion. A young girl named Grace, on the brink of adolescence, confronts her overbearing mother, who incessantly body-shames her and enforces strict dietary restrictions. In an act of rebellion, Grace forms an unlikely bond with one of the creatures, secretly nourishing it with forbidden treats such as meat and chocolate. As her classmates progressively succumb to the epidemic, the girl begins to experience changes within herself.

My journey as the cinematographer for “Appetite” was a transformative experience. The foundation of our narrative was built upon a big exploration of aesthetics. To develop a distinctive colour palette that evoked the mood for our film, I scoured Pinterest for images that resonated with our vision. After a collaboration with the director, Finley, we made the choice to use a contrasting combination of red and green. This decision was significantly influenced by Dario Argento’s 1977 horror film, “Suspiria,” known for its non-naturalistic use of vibrant colours. The lighting design became a critical element in conveying the story – specifically through our main character Grace. I aimed to create a stark juxtaposition between the two primary colours, symbolising the internal struggle between good and evil. Night scenes featuring the mother were deliberately filled with intense red hues, while the daughter’s presence was consistently framed with a subtle but persistent hint of green, representing her inner conflict. The selection of red and green, positioned directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, not only created a visual balance but also added energy into the film’s atmosphere. To intensify the sense of a dystopian and otherworldly environment, I incorporated unconventional lighting techniques. These choices worked to heighten the film’s mood, amplifying the audience’s immersion in the narrative.

My role as the cinematographer for “Appetite” marked a pivotal moment in my filmmaking journey. Prior to this project, I had absolutely no experience with handling a camera. The learning curve was steep, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Through hands-on experience, I acquired a great understanding of camera functionalities and the art of shooting a short film. One of the most significant takeaways from this project was the importance of experimentation and flexibility. While sticking to the storyboard is helpful, I learned not to be afraid of deviating from it if the outcome seemed to be a better choice visually. This flexibility in creative decision-making often led to some of the film’s best moments. Additionally, I gained great insight into how to use lighting to evoke emotions and set the mood for a film. The strategic use of colour and lighting was not just an aesthetic choice but a powerful storytelling tool. “Appetite” helped me appreciate the connection between visuals and emotions. Overall, this experience has been a fun journey of growth and learning, and it gave me a chance to find my passion and love for cinematography.