Narrative Cinematography

From intimate character studies to ambitious one-take set pieces, I approach narrative filmmaking with a strong sense of visual storytelling.

I focus on mood, framing, and emotional rhythm—collaborating closely with directors, writers, and actors to create worlds that feel lived-in and honest. Every frame is crafted to support the story at its core, whether it’s a quiet moment of grief or chaotic family drama.

Explore a selection of narrative projects below—each shaped by performance, place, and cinematic intention.

Vanishing Grace

This film is a deeply personal piece of work for me—one that explores the fragility of redemption and the quiet complexity of reconnection. It follows a woman, newly clean after years of drug abuse, as she prepares to meet the daughter she’s been estranged from for most of her life. It’s a story told with restraint, honesty, and emotional weight, brought to life through a blend of naturalistic cinematography and carefully crafted performances.

I wore multiple hats on this project—writer, director, cinematographer, and editor—which allowed me to maintain a consistent visual and emotional tone from script to screen. I leaned heavily into natural light and handheld camera work to keep the film grounded in realism, letting the performances breathe and the silences speak just as loudly as the dialogue.

Marie Devine leads the cast with a powerful, nuanced performance that’s been recognised across the international festival circuit. She stars alongside Shaun Blaney and Enya Doran, supported by a small but incredibly dedicated crew.

🏆 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

– Best Short Film – Black Swan International Film Festival (2023)

– Best Short Film – Paradise Film Festival (2023)

– Best Short Film – Frida Film Festival (2024)

– Best Indie Short – 8 & Halfilm Awards (2023)

– Best Director – Matty Killen, 8 & Halfilm Awards (2023)

– Best Original Screenplay – Frida Film Festival (2024)

– Best Actress – Marie Devine, Paradise Film Festival (2023)

– Best Actress – Marie Devine, Screen Power Film Festival (2023)

– Best Acting Ensemble – Athens International Monthly Art Festival (2024)

CREW

– Sound Technician: Stevie Lennox

– Composer: Stephen Kavanagh

– Runner: Megan Rafferty

– Casting Support: Shelley Lowry Talent

– Special Thanks: Barry Adams

Goodnight Irene

Directed by Laura Mac & Matty Killen

Director of Photography – Matty Killen

Goodnight Irene is a one-take dark comedy shot with a handheld, observational approach—set during a family wake where everything that can go wrong, does. We spent several days rehearsing and blocking the film with our cast, treating the space like a live stage. This approach allowed the camera to move fluidly through the chaos, capturing every emotional shift, secret, and sharp-tongued exchange in real time.

The story follows Victoria, a composed solicitor, as she reluctantly leaves her free-spirited sister Leah in charge of their grandmother’s wake. With their unpredictable mother stirring the pot and Victoria’s ex-boyfriend turning up uninvited, what starts as a solemn event unravels into a storm of grief, guilt, and gallows humor.

As DOP, I worked closely with co-director Laura Mac to maintain visual energy without sacrificing emotional nuance. The single take meant crafting camera movement that felt alive, reactive, and in rhythm with the performances—always finding the right face, gesture, or silence at the right moment.

Award Recognition

🏆 Best Comedy – Paradise Film Festival

🏆 Best Actress – Kelsea Knox, Santa Barbara International Indie Fest

🏆 Best Comedy – New York Monthly Film Festival

🏆 Best Comedy – Robinson Film Awards International Film Festival

Led by the brilliant Kelsea Knox, Natasha Davis, Shane McNaughton, Rachel Murray, and Rosamund Monteith, this film became a true ensemble piece—chaotic, funny, and rooted in real, often messy family dynamics. Original music by Dan Leith and a score by Albert Behar added a rich sonic texture to match the tone.

Crew

– Sound: Stevie Lennox

– Props/Set Dresser: Stephen Russell

– Grip: Barry Adams

– Runner: Alex Danks

The Ring: Echoes of Silence

The Ring: Echoes of Silence is a fan-made horror short that reimagines the infamous curse at the heart of The Ringmythology. Shot with a focus on atmosphere, tension, and visual storytelling, this film dives deep into obsession, isolation, and the psychological decay caused by fear itself.

When Adam, a man gripped by a twisted fascination with the cursed videotape, kidnaps a young woman and forces her to watch it, the horror begins to spiral. But as the clock ticks and paranoia sets in, it becomes clear that the curse doesn’t just claim victims—it corrupts them.

As both DOP and director, I approached this with a stripped-back horror aesthetic—playing with shadows, natural light, and close-quarters camerawork to heighten the unease. The result is a claustrophobic and slow-burning short film that puts performance and tension at the core.

Cast

– Brendan Quinn as Adam

– Sarah Reid as Emily

Crew

– Props: Anna Gillespie

– BTS: Craig Leetch

– Sound & Grip: Barry Adams

Special thanks to Megan Rafferty, Caitlyn Donnelly, and Blackstaff Mill for their support in bringing this eerie vision to life.

One Day at a Time

One Day at a Time is a stripped-back, emotionally grounded scene that explores grief and connection through subtle performance and quiet framing. Set in a single location, the film follows a young woman, still mourning the loss of her child, as her brother comes to check in—bringing with him both comfort and the weight of shared pain.

Shot with a minimal setup and basic lighting, the focus was on capturing authentic emotion without over-stylising. Soft practical light sources and natural window light helped shape the mood—keeping the look grounded, gentle, and real. The camera stays close, intimate, and patient, allowing the actors’ performances to carry the emotional rhythm.

This two-hander scene was created for showreel purposes and highlights both Jade O’Neill and Shaun Blaney’s range, while also reflecting my approach to performance-led cinematography—letting light, space, and silence do the heavy lifting.

Cast

- Jade O’Neill- Lily

-Shaun Blaney- Noah