Chasing Dreams in NYC
Study NY Contest (2024) / Creative Collaboration
2024
A short narrative film that explores the emotional and visual journey of a young dreamer navigating life in New York City. Through a blend of realistic city visuals, immersive audio, and symbolic editing, the film portrays the struggle, solitude, and silent hope that accompany the pursuit of big dreams in a fast-moving world.
Concept & Storyboarding:
We brainstormed a universal theme — dreams vs. the reality of city life — and structured the story into four emotional beats: arrival, struggle, realization, and silent perseverance.
Roles & Execution:
🎥 Dileep captured the visuals using real-world New York locations and natural light.
🎧 Santosh designed the soundscape and handled all audio/SFX to match the mood shifts.
🖥️ Shivraj edited and added VFX to blend scenes seamlessly and enhance emotional depth.
🎭 Karunakar performed as the protagonist, portraying subtle emotions through movement and expression.
Tools Used:
Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, DSLR camera, and Blender (for subtle overlays & transitions).
Fun Fact:
While the story is set entirely in NYC, half of the short film was actually shot in Jersey. We composited New York skyline elements into the background using CG techniques — blending reality and illusion to match the dreamlike tone of the film.
🏆 Winner of the Study NY Contest 2024
Gained attention for authentic storytelling and strong team collaboration.
Showcased during academic presentations and featured in personal portfolios.
Received positive feedback for its emotional tone, editing quality, and relatability among student audiences.
One of the most rewarding parts of the project was the challenge of creating NYC vibes while filming in Jersey. Through clever framing and CG compositing, we brought the iconic skyline into our shots without ever setting foot in Manhattan — proving that creativity beats budget every time.
