When people watch films, they remember how those films make them feel. But what they’re really responding to is what they see and how all of the visual elements, working cohesively on screen, create that emotional response.
Greetings. I am Shayla Raquel, a director and writer born and raised in Columbia, SC. I'm here to help NextLens filmmakers understand how production design is a crucial element that brings stories to life.
Production design shapes the overall visual look of your project. Think sets, props, color theory, costumes, graphic design, and sometimes even the title cards and special effects.
All of these elements work together to reveal how the character’s world feels where they live, and who they are internally and externally. And that’s the beauty and power of production design.
Every frame whispers the story before the dialogue does.
Learn more about how to submit your film to the 2026 NextLens Online Film Festival.
