Unchained

IAT 202 New Media Images
Jan - Apr 2024
Group Project

Tools: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Canon i7, Amran LED Lighting Kit
Skills: Photography, Filming Storyboarding, Scripting, Post Editing, Sound Editing and recording
Role: Producer, Storyboard Artist, Editor
Group Members: Eri, Nicky, Jane, Lina

Background

Unchained is a short psychological drama that explores the emotional weight of abuse and the resilience it takes to escape it. Created as a group film project, the story follows a young woman confronting trauma through memory and emotional tension. The film uses lighting, sound, and camera movement to immerse viewers in her internal world, highlighting her isolation and strength. The goal was to create a sensitive yet powerful narrative that gives voice to silent struggles through visual storytelling.

Process and Iteration

The film began with a focus on visual development. As a storyboard artist and director, I created scene-by-scene frames to establish tone and pacing. Moodboards helped guide lighting and color choices, while scripts and shot lists were refined over time to better capture the emotional arc. We experimented with camera angles and lighting setups to emphasize vulnerability and control. Post-production included color grading in Lightroom and editing in Premiere Pro and After Effects to craft a cohesive, emotionally driven piece.

My Role and Contribution

I took on multiple roles for this project, producer, storyboard artist, and director. I led pre-production planning, including story development and visual concepting. During production, I directed actors and handled camera operation using a Canon i7, carefully composing each shot to reflect the protagonist’s psychological state. In post-production, I edited the film, refined sound design, and applied visual effects to emphasize emotional beats and scene transitions.

Conclusion

One of the biggest challenges was balancing a heavy narrative with sensitive visual portrayal. I learned how to communicate emotional themes through subtle design choices, like shadows, silence, and framing, rather than dialogue alone. Juggling creative direction and technical execution also pushed my multitasking and decision-making skills. This project taught me how to tell difficult stories with care, and strengthened my confidence in leading projects from concept to final cut.

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