The story behind a viral Instagram reel

A Sydney Film Director's Take on Vertical Filmmaking

Sun On My Back is more than just a 30-second vertical art film. It’s a story told through a poetic lens, a technical challenge embraced, and a creative leap into new territory. Directed, written, and produced by me, a female writer-director based in Sydney, the film has garnered an impressive 13.2k views on Instagram Reels, in collaboration with actor Tal Davida and cinematographer Alex Shingles. Here’s a glimpse into the journey behind the making of this piece, which was shot on 16mm short ends and crafted for distribution on social media.

Freelance Director Grace Julia on set in Sydney

Why Reels?

As a child of the internet, my brain is eternally thinking about a vertical-first approach to filmmaking. In true millennial fashion, you can usually find me glued to a device. Most of my viewing is done online, and a huge percentage of that is on social media.

The Reels feature on Instagram is no longer just for ASMR-savvy beauty influencers and videographers touting their #aesthetic LUTs – it’s a whole new world of interactive, algorithm-powered entertainment.

However, I’ve noticed that artists like Sarah Bahabah, whose career was built on the platform, still turn to the standard 16:9 landscape ratio when it comes to video.

With this project, I sought to subvert the expectations of vertical content by pairing an old technology with a newer way of reaching audiences.

Sydney Director Grace Julia on set with actor and influencer Tal Davida

Drawing from Experience

My recent narrative experience includes directing two comedy web series for TikTok. These shows taught me that not only do you have to rethink framing and lensing, but you also need to consider pacing and structure, both of which are very different from traditional television. It’s about grabbing viewers’ attention by opening with impact, and then keeping them engaged by maintaining that energy.

With this film, I was able to build upon my understanding of what performs while boldly injecting my signature style.

In-App Inspiration

I relied heavily on Instagram to source and compile my references – how meta.

For the audio component, I saved posts from female Instagram poets. Inspired by emotive trending audio, the voice-over was crafted with the intention for it to be remixed and reinterpreted by others.

Visually, I considered both stills and moving images when developing the look and feel of the piece. I drew inspiration from creative influencers like Flicka Elisa, filmmakers I follow within my network and beyond, as well as posts I discovered through my explore page.

By communicating via direct messages, my cinematographer and I were able to easily share images that spoke to us, as well as discuss the logistics of the production itself.

Creative Approach

The most important sentiment for this shoot was that it wasn’t supposed to be “just a pretty girl on the beach”, so in discussion with my cinematographer we agreed that when choosing between “beautiful” and “different”, we would opt for the latter every time.

Sydney’s Eastern suburbs beaches can often look like a hypersaturated tourist’s dream, so it was important to develop a look and feel that reflected the story. This impacted our scheduling choices for optimum lighting conditions, and the colour grade sought to enhance the moody vibe without distracting from the raw nature of the film stock.

Meanwhile, the audio was crafted specifically with the intention for it to be remixed and reinterpreted by others. The voiceover takes centre stage and is only subtly complemented by an emotive track and simple sound design.

Female director Grace Julia in Sydney, Australia with the Motley Content team

The Challenge

Making a 30-second 9:16 art film on 16mm short ends was not without its challenges. Firstly, we had to work out how to rig the camera on its side. Check.

Working with limited film stock also meant our shooting ratio was really low, so meticulous storyboarding, thorough preproduction and detailed previs were vital for a successful shoot.

Subject Matter

Sun On My Back is based on a poem I wrote about abuse. For those who live with trauma, no two days are the same. Some are better than others, but sometimes you can’t stand to occupy your own body or mind...

I believe my adverse experiences have made me a more sensitive filmmaker, and I am thankful that my craft allows me to express my emotions and connect with audiences through meaningful storytelling.

Vertical Filmmaking in Context

This exploration of the vertical format has provided me with invaluable takeaways, which from a commercial standpoint can be applied to brand films, social ads and other content designed to be viewed on devices.

Writer/director Grace Julia with cinematographer Alex Shingles

A Milestone in My Journey

Sun On My Back represents a significant moment in my career as a female writer-director. It’s a testament to the possibilities of merging traditional filmmaking techniques with contemporary digital platforms. With the film’s success, I’m inspired to continue exploring new ways to tell stories that challenge conventions and connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

For creative agencies searching for a New Sydney film director or video production in Sydney, this project reflects my dedication to crafting innovative, impactful work that resonates with modern audiences.

To watch SOMB, visit my Instagram or watch the film and my other projects on my portfolio.