Editing Style
I’m editing the film with a rhythm that moves between stillness and energy — quick, intentional cuts in the middle section bring movement and life, while slower transitions hold space for reflection. I want each shot to feel like a memory: some fleeting, some lingering.
Visually, the tone leans nostalgic and dreamy. I’m grading the footage with warm, slightly faded hues — sunlight softened through mist, colors that feel like they’ve lived a little. It’s not just about showing the coast; it’s about remembering it the way it felt.
Sound & Atmosphere
The soundtrack is built from layered natural sound — the hush of waves, the call of gulls, the whisper of wind along the shore. These textures ground the piece and keep it honest. Over this, I’ve chosen a soft, ambient instrumental track that weaves in subtly, carrying the film into something more internal, almost like a dream surfacing.
There’s no voiceover, no spoken words — just the sound of the place, remembered and reimagined. It’s quiet, but full of feeling. Just like the coast itself.
Shot Durations
Below are the suggested durations for each shot to maintain the pacing and atmosphere throughout the film:
- A Person Sitting Alone Looking at the Sea (Back View) — 8–12 seconds
- Tide Pulling Away Slowly, Water Draining Off Rocks — 5–8 seconds
- A Dog Shaking Off Water — 3–5 seconds
- Footsteps Without a Destination — 6–10 seconds
- Empty Bench / Lifeguard Stand / Streetlamp — 6–10 seconds
- Sky Turning Golden or Gray — 5–8 seconds
- Fade to Black or Soft Blur at the End — 3–5 seconds
- Waves Splashing Against Rocks — 4–6 seconds
- A Discarded Takeaway Cup in the Sand — 5–7 seconds
Voiceovers & Music
Below is the plan for the voiceovers and music that will accompany each scene, enhancing the emotional connection with the viewer.
1. A Person Sitting Alone Looking at the Sea (Back View)
Voiceover: "A place you could call home... but it feels so far."
Music: Soft, ambient tones. A distant piano or synth pads, with subtle sounds of wind or waves. It should be ethereal, allowing the voiceover to be heard clearly.
Purpose: This voiceover hints at the central theme of isolation, where the sea represents both comfort and separation. The music is ethereal, allowing space for the voice to resonate.
2. Ripples in Real Life
Voiceover: "Each ripple... a whisper of what was."
Music: Light, flowing synth pads or string drones. Gentle and reflective, with an underlying sense of nostalgia.
Purpose: The voiceover evokes the idea of the past or forgotten moments. The music amplifies this sense of something fleeting.
3. Tide Pulling Away Slowly, Water Draining Off Rocks
Voiceover: "Time slips away... quietly, unnoticed."
Music: Gradual build-up with subtle percussion or piano motifs. It should grow slightly more tense to match the slow movement of the tide.
Purpose: This voiceover emphasizes the passing of time and the isolation of the scene. The music subtly mirrors that with a growing sense of quiet urgency.
4. A Dog Shaking Off Water
Voiceover: "Life moves... but it doesn’t stay."
Music: A brief musical surge, with a brighter tone. Something rhythmic or with a gentle string melody.
Purpose: The voiceover reflects the fleeting nature of things, and the music brings a light, transient moment to the scene.
5. Footsteps Without a Destination
Voiceover: "Where are we going... or are we just walking?"
Music: Slow, atmospheric with distant echoes of sound. The sound of footsteps could be mixed into the track subtly.
Purpose: The voiceover questions the direction of the journey, reinforcing the feeling of aimlessness. The music should have a repetitive, cyclical feeling.
6. Empty Bench / Lifeguard Stand / Streetlamp
Voiceover: "Loneliness, not in the absence of others, but in the absence of connection."
Music: A return to ambient sounds with soft piano. The music should feel calm and empty.
Purpose: This voiceover ties the idea of physical emptiness to emotional isolation. The music reflects the stillness of the environment.
7. A Discarded Takeaway Cup in the Sand
Voiceover: "We leave pieces of ourselves... only to be forgotten."
Music: Minimal, with subtle shifts in tone. The sound of crumpling paper or a soft guitar plucking could be mixed in.
Purpose: The voiceover reflects impermanence. The music conveys that sense of abandonment, blending in organic, intimate textures.
8. Sky Turning Golden or Gray
Voiceover: "The sky holds everything... and nothing at all."
Music: Slow, gentle build — distant strings or subtle choir. It should create a sense of awe, but with sadness underneath.
Purpose: This is a reflective moment where the character (and the audience) might be coming to terms with their isolation.
9. Fade to Black or Soft Blur at the End
Voiceover: "And in the end, we are only memories."
Music: Fade into silence or a soft drone. The music should gradually disappear, leaving only the sound of the sea or the wind.
Purpose: The final voiceover encapsulates the theme of impermanence, and the fading music mirrors the quiet end.