Morning Light
Morning Light
Created an original atmospheric short film about a lone individual mourning in a church and gradually finding acceptance, hope, and peace. Using slow pacing, long cinematic shots, and minimal dialogue, the project emphasizes emotion through visual storytelling. Lighting, architecture, and music work together to create a somber yet reflective atmosphere centered on themes of grief, healing, and renewal.
Project Type: Narrative Film
Software & Equipment Used: Canon DSLR, Rode Shotgun Microphone, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition
Project Brief
Create a 3–5 minute video production that demonstrates effective visual storytelling through cinematography, editing, pacing, and audio integration. The project may take the form of a music video, public service announcement, promotional piece, short narrative film, or scene reenactment. Focus is placed on combining high-quality 1080p footage with layered audio elements, including music, voice-over, and sound effects, to communicate a clear and engaging concept.
The production should incorporate multiple cuts, transitions, and dissolves while maintaining strong pacing and continuity throughout the edit. Final deliverables include end credits with contributor acknowledgements, fair use attribution where applicable, and export settings formatted in H.264 at 1080p.
Process
Brainstorm Ideas
The project began with a clear intention to create a visually driven piece focused on atmosphere and emotion. Dialogue was intentionally minimized in favor of visual storytelling to strengthen the overall cinematic experience.
Storyboarding
Once the core concept was established, a detailed storyboard was developed to map out key shots, pacing, and emotional progression throughout the film.
Location Scouting
After planning, the filming location was visited to assess suitability and ensure proper permissions were obtained. A detailed proposal of the project was presented, and access to the space was successfully approved.
Shot List
Following approval, a comprehensive shot list was created, outlining all required video and audio elements. This helped streamline production, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of missing essential footage during filming.
Production
Filming took place over two days. The first day focused on capturing B-roll footage and testing setups, while the second day included filming with talent and completing the remaining scenes. Footage was intentionally shot at a slightly lower frame rate to enhance the somber tone and mood of the film.
Post-Production
During post-production, the atmospheric elements of the church were emphasized through editing, color grading, and sound design. A piano performance montage was carefully assembled to enhance the emotional tone and reinforce the reflective mood of the piece.
Takeaways
One of the most valuable lessons learned from this project was how much planning and location scouting directly impact the success of a film. Being the first time working in video production, a large amount of time was spent learning how to structure a shoot properly, from developing a storyboard to creating a shot list and organizing production days. Careful preparation made the filming process more efficient and helped reduce issues on set, reinforcing the importance of pre-production in shaping the final outcome.
Successes
Despite being a first video project, the production successfully created a strong atmospheric and emotional tone through visual storytelling, lighting, and sound design. The focus on minimizing dialogue and relying on imagery and music helped establish a reflective mood, with the piano sequence standing out as a key emotional element. The use of a real location also strengthened the authenticity and overall aesthetic of the piece.
Changes
If revisiting the project, the beginning sequence would be shortened to allow the piano performance and emotional core of the film to begin earlier. Some transitions would also be refined to create a smoother visual flow between scenes. In addition, the decision to lower the frame rate would likely be reconsidered, as it did not enhance the aesthetic as effectively as originally intended and slightly reduced the natural feel of the footage in hindsight.
Contact
I’m always excited to connect and discuss new opportunities, projects, or collaborations. Whether you have a question, a project idea, or want to work together, feel free to reach out!