Behind the Edit: My Post-Production Workflow
Post-production isn't about clicking buttons for me. It's about late nights, chai breaks, and the drive to turn raw footage into a feeling. See how I build soundscapes and color grades from scratch.
A demonstration of how I build an immersive world using only sound effects. This clip strips away the music to reveal the complex layers of SFX I use in Adobe Premiere Pro to make every scene feel real and impactful.
This video shows the power of cinematic color grading. You can see the flat, raw footage transform into a vibrant, moody scene. I use DaVinci Resolve to meticulously adjust colors, highlights, and shadows to tell a story.
A look inside the editing timeline for a fast-cut sequence. This screen recording shows the many layers of video and audio tracks in Premiere Pro that are required to create a seamless and energetic final product.
Another SFX timeline breakdown. This shows how I layer different sounds, from ambient city noise to specific actions, to build a rich audio environment that supports the visuals.
This video shows my editing timeline for a cinematic travel piece. You can see the video clips, adjustment layers for color, and the intricate sound design timeline working together to create the final film.
The complete editing timeline for the Apple Watch spec ad. This breakdown reveals the complexity of a professional commercial edit, with hundreds of video and audio clips precisely arranged for maximum impact.
About Behind the Edit: My Process
I don't use stock presets. Every sound you hear—from ambient Mumbai city noise to specific mechanical clicks—is layered manually in Premiere Pro to match the visual rhythm of the frame. When you hire me, you aren't getting a template; you are getting a soundscape built from scratch, designed to make your audience pause and say 'Ajun thodasa thamb na' (please wait a little longer).
My Technical Approach
Editing is where the story actually gets made. I run a lean, high-performance setup on a Mac Mini M2, allowing me to handle heavy 4K footage without lag.
Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve I treat color as a mood-setter, not just an aesthetic filter. Whether you need the high-contrast, moody look for a commercial product film or a warm, nostalgic grade for a travelogue, I use node-based grading to maintain skin tone accuracy while pushing the highlights and shadows to create depth. I don't just 'throw a LUT on it'; I build the grade around your brand colors.
Advanced Sound Design I believe sound is 50% of the experience. If you watch my timeline breakdowns, you'll see dozens of audio tracks. I layer library assets—whooshes, risers, ambient city textures—to create an immersive environment. For commercial work, I include Foley work to replace poor on-site audio, ensuring your voiceovers and product sounds are broadcast-standard (-14 LUFS).
The Workflow
- Rough Cut: Establishing the narrative flow. We lock the story structure here.
- Soundscape: Building the SFX layer, which gives the edit its 'weight' and tempo.
- Color & Polish: The final grade and motion graphics.
My turnaround is typically 48 to 72 hours for social reels and 5 to 7 business days for longer commercial films. If you have raw footage that isn't working or an idea that needs a cinematic finish, let's talk.
Sarun Jayaprakash
I’m Sarun, a Mumbai-based filmmaker who traded a B.Pharm degree for a camera and a laptop. I pour everything into the edit—the late nights, the technical obsession, and the sound design—to make sure your video actually hits home.
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