Chaos and Comedy, Behind the Scenes of SLAP! from director Zach Dade
- Dominic Easter
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
About the Author, Dominic Easter
Dominic is an award-winning cinematographer whose style has been praised for its clever & tasteful approach. His work has a seductively cinematic feel, speaking to his ability to create classically beautiful visuals with a contemporary aesthetic.
Dominic has lensed both commercial and narrative projects for global brands such as HBO MAX, ESPN, Bacardi, NFL Films, Adidas, Fuse Tv, Ford Motor Company, Verizon, Afropunk, and The Miami Marlins, to name a few. Easter's current project, 'The Livestream from Hell,' is a feature comedy/horror film starring Kevin Hart, Druskii, and Kai Cenat and will be distributed on all major streaming platforms by HARTBEAT. Born and raised in Maryland, Dominic moved to South Florida for film school. He worked his way through the film ranks, from camera house to cam op, to where he is today, a sought after Director of Photography whose integrity and capacity for creating powerful visuals has garnered him a reputation of being a skillful cinematographer.
Filming a mockumentary about professional slap fighting might sound like a recipe for chaos. But on April 26th, 2026, at Level Up Boxing & Fitness in Fort Lauderdale, we pulled off something special. I’m Dominic Easter, the director of photography on SLAP!, an indie comedy short directed by Zach Dade. This project was a wild ride packed into a single 10-hour production day, blending sharp wit with a cinematic style inspired by investigative news specials like 60 Minutes. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought this absurd world to life with sincerity and style.
Developing the Visual Language with Zach Dade
Zach and I spent several pre-production sessions hashing out the mockumentary’s visual style. We wanted to capture a deadpan seriousness of investigative journalism while highlighting the ridiculousness of slap fighting. The key was balancing polished, formal interview setups with chaotic, handheld training scenes.
We studied the classic 60 Minutes style: clean, well-lit interviews with subtle camera moves, paired with dynamic, sometimes shaky footage that felt raw and immediate. Zach’s comedic timing demanded that the camera work respect the awkward pauses and improvised moments without stealing the spotlight. Comedy cinematography is deceptively tricky—timing and restraint are just as important as movement.
Our goal was to create a visual language that felt authentic but heightened the humor through contrast. That meant crisp, controlled lighting for interviews and a more kinetic, unpredictable style for the slap fights and training scenes.
Gear and Technical Setup
We shot on three Sony FX9 cameras, which gave us the flexibility to cover multiple angles simultaneously. The FX9’s full-frame sensor and excellent low-light performance were perfect for the gym’s dim, gritty environment. We shot at base ISO 4000
Our lenses included:
Fujinon 19-90mm zoom for versatile framing during interviews and wider gym shots
Angenieux 28-76mm zoom for smooth, cinematic zooms and tighter compositions
Sigma primes for sharp, punchy handheld shots during slap fights and training sequences
Monitoring was a breeze thanks to the Atomos Sumo monitor, which handled multicam HD-SDI feeds from all three cameras. This setup allowed Zach to direct live camera feeds through Ear-Tech headsets, keeping communication crisp and immediate despite the controlled chaos around us.
Lighting the Gym: Grit Meets Comedy
Level Up Boxing & Fitness is a visually rich location. The gym’s dark ceilings, boxing bags, and cramped spaces created a natural atmosphere of controlled chaos. To enhance this, Keith Rando, our key grip and gaffer, and I rigged Astera Titan tubes into the gym ceiling. These LED tubes provided soft, flicker-free light that we could color-tune to match the mood.
We paired the Titans with warm string-light practicals strung across the gym, creating a gritty yet inviting atmosphere. The warm glow contrasted with the cooler LED tones, adding depth and texture to the scenes. This lighting approach supported the comedic tone by making the space feel lived-in and real, not overly polished.
Balancing Polished Interviews with Handheld Chaos
One of the biggest challenges was switching between the formal interview setups and the slap fight training footage. Interviews were shot with static cameras, clean backgrounds, and flattering lighting to mimic a serious news special.
For the training scenes, we embraced handheld cameras to capture the energy and unpredictability of training scenes and slap fighting. We incorporated “The Office”-style pop zooms and reaction shots to emphasize awkward pauses and improvisation. These moments required precise timing from the camera operators.
The handheld footage had to feel spontaneous but still be visually coherent. That meant careful choreography between the actors, director, and camera crew. Comedy cinematography demands this kind of tight collaboration because the camera’s reaction is part of the joke.
The Crew and Workflow
Our crew was small but mighty! Keith Rando’s dual role as key grip and gaffer was invaluable. His experience rigging lights in tight spaces helped us maximize the gym’s natural features without cluttering the frame.
Communication was streamlined through Ear-Tech headsets, allowing Zach to direct camera operators live. This setup was crucial given the fast pace and improvisational nature of the shoot. We had to be ready to pivot quickly between scripted interviews and spontaneous slap fight moments.
The entire shoot was a masterclass in indie filmmaking: tight schedules, limited resources, and a lot of creative problem-solving. Shooting a mockumentary with this level of polish in a single day required everyone to be on point.
The Gym Environment as a Character
Level Up Boxing & Fitness wasn’t just a backdrop; it became a character in the film. The dark ceilings and exposed ductwork added a raw industrial feel. Punching bags hung in the background, swinging gently during scenes, adding movement and texture.
The cramped spaces forced us to be creative with camera placement and lighting. We often worked around equipment and gym members, which added to the authentic, lived-in vibe. Practical lighting like the string lights gave the space warmth, balancing the gritty aesthetic with a touch of humor.
Wrapping Up and Celebrating
After a long but rewarding 10-hour day, we wrapped on time. The crew’s energy never dipped, and the collaboration between Zach, Keith, and myself made the process smooth despite the challenges.
We celebrated with an impromptu wrap party over margaritas at a Chili’s nearby, sharing laughs and stories from the shoot. It was the perfect way to close out a day that captured the spirit of indie filmmaking in South Florida.
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