Conception
At first, I thought about creating a simple “day in the life” video, documenting my daily routine as a student videographer. But the more I reflected, the more I realized I wanted something more—something meaningful that could inspire people. I wanted to go beyond the surface and tell a story that captured the passion, challenges, and growth that come with pursuing creative work. That’s how Behind the Big Camera was born: a documentary that reveals not just what I do, but why I do it.
Development
I had about 150 pages of transcript to go through. I read every single page to make sure I found the best quotes and the strongest messages. But that wasn’t enough. I had to make sure I had a real story—not just ideas thrown into the void. Millanote was essential in that process. It helped me organize the best parts of the 5 hours of interview footage I had and start shaping the structure of the documentary. It was a tough process, but a necessary one. Even with everything lined up, editing it all in Premiere wasn’t easy. Something happens when you start working on a project like this—either you see the vision, or you don’t. And that kind of vision can’t be taught; it only comes with time. I think one of the most interesting parts of the entire process was the opportunity to film parts of the documentary in Greece, Athens, and Rome. It was an unforgettable experience that added depth and meaning to the project, both visually and personally.
Conclusion
The final version of the project came together beautifully, and the experience of presenting it to a full room of people was unforgettable. Behind the Big Camera is currently part of the House of Echoes exhibition, on display at the Hand Art Center from April 15 to May 10.
