Dying of the Light
Short Film
Synopsis
Dying of the Light is an award-winning British World War I short film directed by David Newton. Inspired by Dylan Thomas's iconic poem ‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night’, the film follows a young soldier named Albert as a tribute to the thousands of underage soldiers who fought and lost their lives during the First World War.
Shot as a single continuous take by Stephen J Nelson, the film delivers an intimate and emotionally powerful portrayal of war, with its cinematography receiving multiple Best Cinematography awards at film festivals around the world.
Creative Approach
The creative vision for Dying of the Light was to evoke the harsh realities of the First World War through an understated, cinematic grade. Earthy, muted tones, soft contrast and a naturally hazy atmosphere were carefully developed to reflect both the period setting and the emotional weight of the story, while introducing a subtle filmic texture that complemented the project's timeless aesthetic.
As the film unfolds in a single uninterrupted take, the grade needed to evolve invisibly alongside the camera movement. Shot entirely using natural light, the project required dynamic grading, tracking and animated corrections to maintain visual continuity as lighting conditions changed throughout the sequence.
The result is a restrained, immersive look that supports the award-winning cinematography, allowing the audience to remain fully invested in Albert's journey while reinforcing the film's themes of sacrifice, innocence and remembrance.
Credits
Director
David Newton
Director of Photography
Stephen J Nelson
Colour Grade
Rebecca Goodeve