This shot came with several challenges — especially in keeping it subtle. The key, as so often, was to be led by the actor — in this case, @araloyino — so that every movement had a purpose.

It begins with a gentle push-in, leading into a 270° move around him, before following him down a very narrow staircase. Then came a 180° transition from following to leading — through an extremely tight space, with props close on both sides and barely any room for the feet, since there was a small bump under the table that couldn’t be removed. Finally, I had to tilt up just enough to keep the overhead lamps out of frame.

That’s the technical side of the shot. Story-wise, we’re discovering him and his world — getting a sense of his self-esteem, his environment, and his relationship with his mom.

That’s what I love about this shot in particular: it’s full of movement, and so many things have to go right for it to work. But when it does, you don’t think about any of the technical challenges — you’re completely immersed in the story, and the camera disappears.