LOVE/HATE | Short Film

Production Company

Mello Gusto

Scope

Cinematography

Date

2026

A story inspired by true events, exploring the depravity of addiction and the powerful hope of friendship.
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I had the privilege of serving as director of photography alongside Director Seth Dady of Mello Gusto for LOVE/HATE, a vulnerable and emotionally driven short film. Because of the intimate nature of the story, I attended early script rehearsals to ensure the actresses could grow comfortable with me—the person who would ultimately be holding the camera during their most vulnerable moments. These rehearsals also helped us shape initial storyboards that became the foundation for production.
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Working closely with Seth, we discussed staging, blocking, and the number of takes we could manage while shooting with a single camera. Since Aftersun was one of Seth’s key influences, I studied the film—particularly its use of long, patient holds—which informed several of our visual decisions.

Before production, Seth, our gaffer Moses Swingle, and I walked through the main set to refine our shooting and lighting approach. Our goal was to create a look that felt true to the lived-in reality of the basement location, even though Moses built an entirely separate lighting setup to achieve it. We shot on the Sony FX6 paired with Zeiss Super Speed MKIII lenses, leaning heavily on handheld operation supported by an EZ Rig. With only one day to capture the main portion of the film, the three of us worked in constant collaboration to ensure every shot delivered emotionally, artistically, and technically.
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The final result is something we hope feels intimate and honest, mirroring the story’s emotional weight and the authenticity of the performances. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this project. Everyone brought their best, supported one another, and contributed to an energy that made the experience truly special.

The short film is not yet available for public viewing, so be sure to check back here or visit Mello Gusto for updates.