A News Feature on a Young Musical Prodigy
Produced for Wyndham TV, this short news feature tells the inspiring story of 10-year-old Zoe Desmier, a gifted singer from Truganina who is already making waves on the national stage. From performing the Australian national anthem at the Australian Open to landing a role in Tina Turner The Musical, Zoe’s talent and dedication shine through in this intimate portrait. As the Associate Producer, I took full ownership of this project-from planning the shoot and filming to editing the final piece. The goal was to craft a compelling narrative that balanced Zoe’s personal journey with her rising stardom, blending cinematic visuals, authentic interview moments, and dynamic performance footage.
My Role & Process
✅ Pre-Production & Filming
- Coordinated with Zoe's family to arrange an on-location shoot at their home.
- Captured cinematic B-roll to highlight quiet, personal moments-such as Zoe brushing her hair (filmed via mirror reflection), packing her school bag, and rehearsing with headphones.
- Framed the interview to subtly include musical elements (microphone, guitars) in the background, reinforcing Zoe's passion for music.
✅ Editing & Storytelling
- Seamlessly blended original footage with family-provided clips (home videos of Zoe singing with her family) and performance highlights (her Australian Open appearance).
- Incorporated an AI voiceover to narrate Zoe's journey while keeping the focus on her voice and emotions.
- Structured the edit to build momentum-starting with intimate moments, transitioning to her public performances, and closing with her aspirations.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Edit
Editing this piece required a thoughtful approach to pacing and mood. One evening, working outside under string lights (pictured below), I fine-tuned the timeline in Final Cut Pro, ensuring smooth transitions between Zoe’s quiet at-home moments and her electrifying stage performances. The natural ambiance of the setting mirrored the warmth and authenticity I wanted to convey in her story.
Key Challenges & Creative Solutions
🔹 Balancing Authenticity & Production Value
Since this was a real-life story, I wanted to keep the visuals organic yet polished. By using soft lighting and natural framing, I maintained a documentary-style feel while ensuring high production quality.
🔹 Weaving Multiple Footage Sources
The video combined my original shots, broadcast footage from the Australian Open, and home videos from Zoe's family. To create a cohesive look, I applied consistent colour grading and smooth transitions between clips.
🔹 Engaging a Broad Audience
To make Zoe's story resonate with both local viewers and music enthusiasts, I emphasised emotional beats-her dedication, family support, and standout performances-while keeping the pacing dynamic.
Final Result
The final piece is a heartfelt, visually engaging news feature that captures Zoe’s talent and personality. It aired on Wyndham TV and was shared across social media, receiving positive feedback for its cinematic storytelling and authentic portrayal of a young artist’s journey.
Watch on YouTube