Silent Encounter

A Senior Capstone Project in media provides students their first hands-on experience managing every stage of production, from initial concept and planning to final deliverables… it’s a chance for media students to showcase their abilities in whichever production discipline they choose. While many students chose to create documentaries or similar projects, I aimed to distinguish my work by creating something unique. Because of the three and a half month time constraint, I understood this would be highly challenging and even risky in regards to planning, but because of my love for cars and the assets I had available, I was determined to make it work. This is my first longer-form project, incorporating new techniques and strategies distinct from the short-form videos I am accustomed to.

Silent Encounter is a dynamic short film featuring two BMW F87 performance vehicles: a Long Beach Blue M2 facelift powered by a single-turbo 3.0L N55 engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and an Alpine White M2 Competition powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L S55 engine paired with a 6-speed manual. Set in deserted urban environments, highways, and winding backroads, the film conveys a full narrative entirely without dialogue.

As the sole producer, I managed every aspect of the project. My responsibilities encompassed preproduction tasks such as concept development, scriptwriting, location scouting, shot listing, and coordinating schedules for talent and crew. My technical proficiency with equipment including the Sony A7 camera, DJI RS3 gimbal, DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, and Zoom F2 field recorders allowed me to authentically portray each car’s distinct identity and personality through visual and audio elements.

Utilizing Sony’s S-Log3 and DJI’s D-Log color profiles to maximize dynamic range, the color grading process was executed in Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring cinematic quality with consistent tonal balance and pacing. Shooting primarily at night presented the challenge of managing unwanted grain from the Log profiles, which required careful post-production solutions, and unfortunately not fixable sometimes. Through this project, I expanded my expertise in automotive storytelling and refined my skills in cinematography, sound design, editing, and visual composition.