Video Project

“The Drive Within” is a calm, reflective short film exploring the quiet connection between driver, machine, and environment. The intention is to capture the meditative side of driving not the speed or adrenaline, but the rhythm, light, and stillness that come with the journey. Through natural lighting and ambient sound, the video will create a peaceful, cinematic mood that emphasizes presence and mindfulness. The use of golden hour light will reinforce the film’s warmth and tranquility, while soft camera movement and shallow depth of field will draw attention to texture and subtle detail

Proposal 1: “The Drive Within

Length: 60–90 seconds
Tone: Calm, reflective, natural light
Gear: Tripod or handheld, natural sound + light

Scene 1 — The Stillness Before the Drive (0:00–0:10)

Shot 1 – Establishing Shot

Park the car at golden hour (sunrise/sunset).
Use a low tripod angle about 10 ft away.
Slowly pan or stay still — just capture the calm scene.

Shot 2 – Door Handle / Key Turn

Hand reaches for handle or presses start button.
Shoot tight close-up, focus on reflections and movement.

Scene 2 — Ignition and Preparation (0:10–0:30)

Shot 3 – Dashboard Lights

Camera just behind the driver’s shoulder.
Lights come on, faint glow on their face.
Capture quiet anticipation — no talking needed.

Shot 4 – Foot Pedal / Gear Shift

Use slow-mo (if possible) for foot pressing the pedal or hand shifting gears.
Frame tightly; focus on detail and texture.

Scene 3 — The Start of Motion (0:30–0:50)

Shot 5 – POV: The Road Ahead

Mount camera on dashboard or handheld in passenger seat.
Capture the moment the car starts moving and sunlight flares.

Shot 6 – Exterior Drive-By

Have a friend film from the roadside as the car passes.
Keep it smooth and simple — one or two passes are enough.

Scene 4 — Flow and Reflection (0:50–1:10)

Shot 7 – Mirror Reflection

Focus on the side mirror showing either the driver’s eyes or passing scenery.
Keep depth of field shallow to blur background softly.

Shot 8 – Light and Shadows

Drive through a tree-lined road — shoot from behind or side window.
Let light flicker naturally across the car; no need for fancy movement.

Scene 5 — The Journey’s Rhythm (1:10–1:30)

Shot 9 – Wheels in Motion

Ground-level shot beside the car as it rolls slowly.
Capture tire spinning; natural dust or road texture.

Shot 10 – Wide Closing Shot

Set up camera far away on tripod or use drone if available.
Car drives off toward horizon — ambient sounds fade out.

⚡ Proposal 2: Pulse

Length: 60–90 seconds
Tone: Sleek, energetic
Sound: Engine revs + subtle beat
Style: Quick cuts, tight framing

Shot 1 – Ignition (0:00–0:10)

Tight close-up of start button.
Dashboard lights flick on — quick cut to gauge cluster glow.

Shot 2 – Power Building (0:10–0:25)

Cut between quick close-ups:
- Foot pressing pedal
- Hand shifting gear
- Engine shaking slightly under hood
Add subtle rev sounds for rhythm.

Shot 3 – Momentum (0:25–0:45)

Drive-by shot on empty road.
Use a tripod pan or handheld gimbal following the car.
Keep horizon straight; focus on smooth motion.

Shot 4 – Focus (0:45–1:00)

Inside the car: close-up of driver’s eyes in mirror.
Lights or reflections move across glass as road passes.

Shot 5 – Resolution (1:00–1:20)

End with subtle reflection or light fade.

Car slows and stops in scenic area.

Wide shot; sound fades to calm ambient noise.

Rough Edit

Final Video

Chosen Still

The intent of this project was to capture the quieter, more reflective side of driving by focusing on mood, atmosphere, and natural environments rather than speed or action. I wanted to explore how small details like light, texture, and movement can tell a story without the need for dialogue. My process began with defining a tone that felt calm, intentional, and grounded in nature, which guided every visual decision that followed. From there, I developed a storyboard that broke the film into distinct moments, each designed to highlight a different aspect of the driving experience. Location choices, such as forested roads and coastal scenery, helped reinforce the theme of connection between the driver, the vehicle, and the environment. Once the shot list was finalized, I planned each angle to reflect key visual principles like composition, depth, and rhythm. The project evolved as I considered how natural lighting especially golden hour, could enhance emotion and soften the transitions between scenes. Throughout the process, I remained focused on creating a sense of quiet momentum rather than dramatic action. The final concept emphasizes presence, subtlety, and the meditative feeling of being in motion. Overall, this project allowed me to experiment with cinematic storytelling while refining my ability to plan, visualize, and communicate a creative idea.