Indie Shorts Awards Cannes

Tyler Fennyery & June Oh

Tyler Fennyery is an independent filmmaker from Boston, Massachusetts.
June Oh is an award-winning filmmaker with expertise in cinematography

Tyler, what inspired you to tell this particular story, especially given the sensitive nature of an illicit relationship between a coach and a student?

Tyler: I was chiefly inspired by my co-writer, Victoria, whose personal story formed the basis for Straightaway. She was courageous and vulnerable enough to share her experience with me during one of our writing sessions, and those early talks are really where this idea was born. Admittedly, I was very nervous to tackle such sensitive subject matter in a short film, but I was blessed with a crew and cast that stepped in and encouraged me to go there – to take this story as far as it needed to go.

June, did you use any specific cinematographic techniques to create a sense of tension or discomfort for the audience, especially during the more intense or emotionally charged scenes?
June: Absolutely. Tyler and I decided to use a 4:3 aspect ratio to evoke a sense of confinement, mirroring the characters’ emotional states and the tension in their lives. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to visually convey their struggles. Extreme close-ups with a wider lens were another favorite technique—they bring the audience uncomfortably close, almost intruding on the characters’ personal space, making their emotions feel unavoidable. For key moments, like when Kenny’s world collapses, I used Dutch angles to visually represent that his reality had been upended. It’s a simple but effective way to create unease. I also loved employing slow push-ins during emotionally charged scenes. These allow the audience to connect more deeply with the characters, drawing them into the emotional core without needing too much action.
Also, June, were there any challenges in balancing the realism of the story with the visual aesthetics you wanted to achieve?
June: Balancing realism and aesthetics was definitely a creative challenge. I tried to stay true to the natural feel of each space but added some creative choices here and there. For instance, I often used top lighting, which can feel harsh and unflattering. It added a raw, grounded quality that suited the tone of the story. I also incorporated colored gels—specifically quarter green and half green—to give the lighting a sickly, fluorescent vibe. It wasn’t traditionally “beautiful,” but it added to the atmosphere of discomfort. This balance of authenticity and visual storytelling required careful planning but ultimately enhanced the film’s unique tone, grounding the story while keeping it visually compelling.
Since STRAIGHTAWAY is based on a true story, did you feel any pressure or responsibility in how you depicted the real-life individuals involved?
Tyler: I felt a responsibility to tell this story as accurately and realistically as I could. I was careful to avoid caricature with the characters of Vanessa and Kenny, as doing so would ultimately cheapen the experience. Vanessa is confident and curious. Kenny is cautious and reserved. These are choices that might stand in opposition to traditional depictions of grooming – of the imposing predator and their helpless victim – but I find reality to be much more layered and complex.
IG @tfennyery @sjoh1122