A Letter To, a science fiction short film by Joni Astin, explores human relationships in a world ravaged by harmful radiation levels on the Earth’s surface. Humankind has retreated to underground bunkers with no signal to stay safe from the dangerous heatwaves. All they have as a means of communication between bunkers are handwritten letters delivered by mail carriers who risk their lives on the surface, braving toxic environments to keep people connected. 

Sera’s world was turned upside down when her brother – her only kin – was chosen as a mail carrier. When he hasn’t returned in months, Sera sets out into the unknown, braving the dangers of the devastated surroundings on the surface to retrieve him.  

Setting the scene  

With a crew of ten and a short timeframe to wrap up his production, Joni used the Cinema Line FX3 with the Alpha 7S III as his secondary camera. Fortunately for the team, both cameras performed for long hours without overheating, allowing them to shoot for hours without interruptions. Coupled with the FE 50mm F1.2 GM prime lens, Joni was able to capture his creative vision with further ease. 

Like other G Master prime lenses, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM features a focus ring, which allows for smooth manual focus control. Furthermore, every detail was reproduced in full sharpness, making it appear as if you were in the scene with Sera as she journeyed through the Earth’s barren surface. 

Colour was a key element in A Letter To. It added depth to the storytelling by creating a grim mood, befitting a broken world devoid of all hope.  

“I feel that this lens captures a wide range of colours, which is very beneficial for colour grading,” explained Joni. “This prime lens is every filmmaker's dream come true. Its maximum aperture of F1.2 allows you to shoot in various lighting situations, indoors and outdoors. Its high resolution and gorgeous bokeh also helped to capture beautiful images and dramatic visuals.” 

Apart from capturing footage with vivid picture quality, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens allowed Joni to shoot action scenes more easily. Being compact and light, it did not add much weight to the camera body, easing the process of shooting with a gimbal or handheld in run-and-gun scenes.  

Keeping up with action 

Both cameras provided Joni with cinematic 4K footage, made possible with a full-frame sensor. This enabled the crew to capture crystal-clear scenes outdoors and indoors. Joni was also thoroughly impressed with how well the cameras performed in low-light situations due to their high sensitivity, which helped tremendously for scenes shot in near-total darkness. 

In addition, the autofocus capabilities of both cameras worked well even in slow motion and high frame rates, capturing every scene with spectacular imagery. 

“The FX3 and Alpha 7S III’s Hybrid AF and the Real-time Eye AF deliver precise focus so that I could focus on the composition of my shots and telling my story,” said Joni. “I simply trust my cameras to handle the process for me.” 

The future of film in the making 

When asked about the current filmmaking landscape, Joni was hopeful that up-and-coming imaging technologies would allow more filmmakers to create masterpieces that have never been done before. He also emphasised the importance of taking creative risks when telling stories, which will leave a lasting impression on the audience.  

“Being brave is an essential part of pursuing your goals. You must not be afraid to get up and point out aspects of your film to improve. Dare to take action and stay humble always.” 

Turn your wildest filmmaking dreams into reality 

Do you have a creative idea that you wish to bring to life? No matter your level of expertise, we want your stories heard. Share your most daring film ideas with us in this year’s World of Film filmmaking audition and stand a chance to showcase your creative flair!  

To learn more about the Sony Asia Pacific World of Film filmmaking challenge, visit https://www.sony-asia.com/microsite/world-of-film/.

Find out more about Joni Astin’s creative process with these behind-the-scenes videos: