My most ambitious video production to date, a six-part travel video series chronicling the journey of five friends traveling to Rome to reunite with another friend who had been living there for several months. The series documents our travel, exploration of the city, and the unique experiences we shared, presented in a dynamic and visually captivating style.

ROME: The Reunion

Brand Identity & Logo Design

To establish a professional identity for the series, I designed a production logo from scratch using Adobe Illustrator. My experience from a previous project, My Italian Experience, equipped me with the knowledge to create a polished and refined logo. After experimenting with multiple mockups, I finalized a design that set the tone for the project’s cohesive branding.

Intro Sequence

The introduction was pivotal in capturing viewers’ attention. Originally conceived as a black-and-white, static design featuring the Colosseum, I reimagined it as a vibrant transformation. Using Adobe After Effects, I transitioned the black-and-white design into a glowing, full-color animation, adding energy and excitement to the sequence. I enhanced the intro further using the stroke effect, as if the text "The Reunion" was being written, and paired it with the opening of Massimo Ranieri’s "Se bruciasse la città," setting a nostalgic yet dynamic tone.

Character Introductions

To introduce the main cast, I crafted a visually engaging character sequence. Each individual was highlighted using the roto brush tool in After Effects, masking them in color while the background remained in black and white. This technique drew focus to the personalities featured in the series. Adriano Celentano’s "Azzurro" accompanied the sequence, further enriching the playful and inviting atmosphere.

Filming Process

A diverse range of equipment was employed to achieve the desired dynamic and static shots:

  • Sony HDR-CX110 with a fisheye lens for the majority of recordings, ensuring a wide perspective and creative framing.

  • GoPro MAX on a handheld tripod for immersive and stable footage, primarily during sightseeing and dinners.

  • Canon PowerShot A2200 for spontaneous handheld shots, offering flexibility in capturing moments as they unfolded.

  • Olympus Trip 600 film camera for authentic film photographs, later incorporated into the video to add depth and texture.

To ensure smooth filming, I prepped all cameras by formatting storage and securing ample SD cards, removing storage concerns during the trip.

Chapter Titles & Travel Sequences

Each chapter began with a  title screen, designed in After Effects, incorporating the same glow effects as the intro for visual consistency. These titles included the chapter number, date, and a brief description to viewers. To enhance storytelling, I utilized Google Earth Studio to create animated travel routes, flight paths, and location markers, learning the program specifically for this project. Transitions between these segments featured ambient sound effects, such as the hum of restaurant chatter or park ambiance, recorded on location to immerse viewers in the experience.



 
Sound design was a key focus throughout the project. I meticulously adjusted decibel levels for consistent audio quality and added captions where necessary to elevate the viewing experience. Music selection played an integral role, with tracks tailored to specific moments, such as Ricchi E Poveri’s "Sarà perché ti amo" when we first landed in Rome being my personal favorite.

Sound Design

The series included numerous humorous moments, which I enhanced using Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop. By adding dynamic effects, animations, and precise timing adjustments, I amplified the comedic impact, making these scenes even more entertaining for viewers.

Comedic Enhancements

To build anticipation, I produced a teaser trailer using Giorgio Moroder’s "Tears." The trailer provided a cohesive and intense montage of the trip while maintaining the visual and thematic consistency of the series. This promotional piece offered a captivating glimpse into the full series, effectively drawing interest.

Teaser Trailer

The release strategy was designed to maximize audience engagement. I uploaded a new 12-20 minute video every Friday for six weeks, each highlighting a single day of the trip, before releasing the full-length, uncut version on the seventh week. To further attract viewers, I extracted and edited the most engaging clips from each episode—focusing on comedic or intriguing moments—and posted them with captions on Instagram and TikTok. This social media campaign generated over 20,000 interactions (views, likes, comments, and shares), effectively driving traffic to the main series.

Social Media Promotion

Takeaways

ROME: The Reunion was a significant milestone in my development as a video producer and digital storyteller. It challenged me to master new tools, such as Google Earth Studio and GoPro Player while refining my skills in After Effects and Premiere Pro. The project emphasized the importance of detailed preparation, cohesive visual design, and sound engineering in creating an immersive and engaging viewing experience.