Meet the Trendsetters Who Set the Fashion Pace for the 20th Arrondissement
Inside the process of creative directing a fashion documentary film
Graduate school has been the biggest creative reset button for me. After years of working full-time as a designer, I finally have the space to play with new media and dive into subjects I’ve always wanted to explore.
My final film for Video Storytelling turned out to be one of the most memorable projects I’ve done at AUP. I teamed up with the amazing Mattie Drucker to create a documentary profiling two women, a mother and daughter, who run thrift stores side by side in the 20th arrondissement. When we first sat down to interview them about their lives and shops, we had no idea what kind of story would come out. What we ended up with was a film about family, fashion, and the way style weaves into identity. It’s about their tradition of thrifting, but it’s also about the love they share.
The Treatment
We learned every step of the video production process, but the part that hooked me the most was the treatment stage. That’s the piece I want to share with you today. Like most of my projects, this one started with a moodboard. We knew our two subjects were eclectic, bold, and full of energy, so we leaned into that with colors, graphics, and visual references. The art direction became our compass for every decision we made.
I also gathered references for framing, editing effects, and animations to make sure filming day felt smooth and intentional. All of that went into a very detailed shot list, which definitely saved us when we were in the thick of it.
One of my favorite parts was shooting on a friend’s “vintage” camcorder from the early 2000s. It instantly matched the aesthetic of both stores, which span styles from the 70s through the Y2K era. Mattie worked the camcorder while I shot B-roll on the main camera, and the mix of footage gave the final edit so much texture.
Working with Mattie was honestly the highlight of the whole process. Her animations pulled the story together in such a fun way, and I can’t imagine this project without them.
Side by side comparison of shot inspiration vs. the final film
Hope you enjoy seeing how my initial treatment shaped the final film. Let me know what you think—did we capture the vibe?
A creative mind and design professional, Julia is an Art Director pursuing a Master's in Global Communications. This blog is an extension of her multi-faceted journey, offering a space to explore the intersections of design, beauty, culture, and lifestyle