We chose the romantic comedy genre, specifically a teen enemies-to-lovers sub-genre, because it’s a genre that both my partner and I genuinely enjoy and feel connected to. From watching and analyzing modern rom-coms, we realized that this genre consistently combines humor, tension, and emotion in a way that feels entertaining but still meaningful. We were especially drawn to enemies-to-lovers stories because they create immediate conflict, which makes the opening more engaging and gives the audience a clear sense of the characters’ dynamic right away.
Both Zunairah and I like romantic comedies because they don’t take themselves too seriously, but still leave room for character growth. Based on my research, modern rom-coms often focus on rivalry, banter, and power dynamics before romance, which feels more realistic and relatable for younger audiences. We liked that this structure allows characters to start off flawed or competitive instead of instantly likable, making their relationship feel more earned over time.
This genre also stood out to us because it works really well visually. From our research, we noticed that rom-coms often use fast pacing, lighting, and playful camera work to establish tone quickly. That appealed to both of us because it gives us room to experiment creatively while still following clear genre conventions. Techniques like slow motion, 2-shots, and bold title placement feel natural in a rom-com and help communicate mood without heavy dialogue.
Overall, we chose it because it’s a genre we both genuinely enjoy and feel confident working in. Combining our personal interest with what we learned from analyzing modern rom-com helped us feel sure that this was the right direction for our project.
Age Range: 13–18 years old
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Gender: All genders
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Location: School settings, Parks
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Shared Interests/Hobbies: Enjoy watching rom-coms, involved in sports or school activities, interested in lighthearted teen drama
Social Issues & Representation:
Representation is an important part of our opening because we wanted it to reflect values and themes that feel relevant to us and to a modern teen audience. Based on my research and our own discussions, we focused on three main ideas: gender equality, not judging people based on first impressions, and competition versus connection.
One of the forms of representation we want to address is gender equality, especially in competitive spaces. In many teen films, athletic or competitive environments are still often male-dominated, or female characters are written as less serious, less skilled, or only present to support male leads. Through our project, we want to challenge that expectation. From the opening, we show that competitiveness and ambition aren’t gendered traits. This reflects our belief that strength, drive, and confidence should be portrayed equally, regardless of gender.
Another major theme we are exploring is “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Romantic comedies often rely on stereotypes at first, but then slowly break them down as the story progresses. We were drawn to this idea because it showcases real-life experiences, especially in school environments where people are quickly labeled based on appearance, reputation, or first impressions. In our opening, the rivalry and tension are intentionally exaggerated to show how surface-level judgments can block genuine connection.
We also wanted to explore the idea of competition versus connection, which became one of the strongest themes in our planning process. Both my partner and I were interested in how modern teen culture often emphasizes winning at the expense of personal relationships. Through our research, we noticed that many successful rom-coms use competition as a starting point for conflict, then slowly shift toward a more emotional plot. This balance between rivalry and vulnerability is something we wanted to reflect in our opening.
Importantly, we didn’t want the competition in our story to feel toxic or one-sided. Instead, we wanted it to feel equal and mutual, showing that both characters are driven and capable. This allows the rivalry to feel playful rather than aggressive, which fits the tone of a romantic comedy while still addressing a real social issue.
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
We plan to use Adobe Premiere Pro as our main editing software. I already have experience with Premiere Pro from previous class projects, so I’m comfortable with the basics of cutting, layering clips, and adding text. Also, it’s provided by the school, which makes it practical and cost-effective.
Premiere Pro will be especially important for:
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Editing and pacing the opening to follow rom-com conventions
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Creating and animating the title card (fade-in, fade-out, placement)
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Color grading using the Lumetri Color panel to achieve warm, romantic tones
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Syncing dialogue, ambient sound, and music
While I understand the basics, I still want to improve my skills in advanced color grading, especially using LUTs and creating a consistent color palette across multiple shots. I also want to get better at keyframing, which will help make our title animation feel smooth and professional rather than abrupt. I have a bit of experience with keyframing because I have tried other editing apps before but it is still difficult achieving that smooth transition.
Camera Equipment
We plan to use school-provided cameras, most likely DSLRs or mirrorless cameras capable of shooting in high quality. To achieve the cinematic rom-com look we researched, I need to understand a few concepts:
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Aperture: to create shallow depth of field and soft backgrounds
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Shutter speed: to control motion blur during running and physical comedy scenes
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ISO: to maintain image quality during golden hour and changing light conditions
Learning how to balance these settings will help us create a softer, more romantic visual style while still keeping action clear and readable.
Lighting Equipment
Lighting will rely primarily on natural light, especially shooting during golden hour to achieve warm, flattering tones that are common in rom-coms. This choice connects directly to my research, which showed that many romantic comedies use soft, natural lighting to create a welcoming and emotionally warm atmosphere. Shooting in the late afternoon or early evening will allow us to capture that glow naturally, without needing heavy artificial lighting
To improve consistency and reduce harsh shadows, we may use reflectors to bounce light onto the actors’ faces. This will help keep their expressions visible while maintaining a natural look. I still want to learn more about how to read outdoor lighting conditions and position reflectors effectively. If any scenes require less natural light, we may need to experiment with simple lighting setups to maintain the same warm tone throughout the opening.
Audio Equipment
Clear dialogue is crucial, especially in a rom-com where character interactions drive the story. We plan to use external microphones, likely Bluetooth or clip-on mics, instead of relying on the camera’s built-in audio.
I want to improve my skills in:
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Proper microphone placement
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Monitoring audio levels while recording
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Syncing audio in post-production
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Balancing dialogue with background music and ambient sound
Basic Plan for the Film Opening
Our project is a two-minute romcom opening designed to introduce the main characters, establish the tone, and set up the central conflict of the story. The opening takes place in a park during golden hour, a setting we chose because it visually supports the warm, lighthearted feel of a rom-com while also being realistic and accessible for filming.
The audience is first introduced to Audrey during her daily run, which immediately establishes her as disciplined, competitive, and goal-oriented. Her upcoming birthday adds an emotional layer to her routine, hinting that this moment is part of a larger personal journey rather than just a random day. The meet-cute occurs when she unexpectedly collides with Mattias, a rival she recognizes but has never truly interacted with. Their encounter quickly turns chaotic, revealing their competitive dynamic.
The argument escalates to a physical interaction as they struggle over the object that caused the collision. This moment visually represents their rivalry while keeping the tone playful rather than aggressive. The chaos shifts when they lose balance and fall into each other’s arms. This change in pacing and mood signals the romance of the story. The title appears at this moment, reinforcing the theme of competition and hinting that their rivalry may evolve into something deeper.
Cinematography:
The opening begins with an establishing shot of the park to set the scene and tone. A smooth tracking shot follows Audrey as she runs. Close-ups are used sparingly to highlight important details, such as her checking her phone and noticing her upcoming birthday.
When the collision occurs, the camera movement becomes faster and more reactive, matching the suddenness. During the argument, shot-reverse-shot framing will capture their dialogue clearly, before transitioning into unsteady random movement shots during the physical struggle to heighten the sense of chaos. The final slow-motion shot stabilizes again, creating contrast and allowing the romantic moment to stand out. This shot will be carefully framed using the rule of thirds and shallow depth of field to create space for the title card.
Color Grading:
Warm color grading will be maintained throughout the opening to reinforce the romantic comedy genre. Even during moments of conflict, the warm tones will signal that the tension is playful. In post-production, we’ll use Premiere Pro’s Lumetri Color tools to enhance golden hour lighting and ensure consistency across all shots.
Sound Design:
Dialogue will remain the focus of the scene, supported by subtle ambient park sounds to create realism. Background music will gradually build during the argument and peak during the slow-motion fall, then soften as the title appears.
Editing and Pacing:
The editing will follow rom-com conventions by gradually increasing pace during the argument and then slowing down for the final romantic moment. The timing of the title card is intentional, leaving the audience with a clear understanding of the story’s tone
Practice Exercises:
Location & Lighting Tests
Visit the park at different times to find the best golden hour lighting and clean backgrounds.
Camera & Framing Practice
Test tracking shots, handheld movement, and rule-of-thirds framing.
Focus & Depth Testing
Experiment with shallow depth of field to balance foreground focus and blurred backgrounds.
Color Grading Practice
Apply warm color grading to test clips using Premiere Pro
Title & Editing Tests
Test title placement, font size, and fade-in timing using placeholder footage
Sources:
https://avcstore.com/products/godox-rft14-7-1-reflector?variant=39575739433059&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOopdfpYx4pyTVvqmtB0fdUmYqcM4U5EjuKKh9FflMUuEEcd8GBQqyWE
https://borisfx.com/blog/davinci-resolve-vs-premiere-pro-head-to-head/
https://www.simonsaysai.com/blog/davinci-resolve-vs-adobe-premiere-pro
https://www.makeuseof.com/adobe-premiere-pro-vs-davinci-resolve/
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