Weeks had passed since the last shot was filmed for *City of Stars*. The exhausting marathon of post-production was finally nearing its end. In cramped editing rooms across Manila, Jom sat hunched over his laptop, eyes flicking rapidly between footage and timelines. The film was coming alive, the raw scenes melding into a story that was greater than the sum of its parts.
Kai lounged nearby, snacking and watching the progress on the big monitor, occasionally throwing in his two cents with lighthearted jokes. Ella, headphones firmly on, was deeply immersed in crafting the music that would carry the soul of the film—soft piano melodies paired with gentle string accompaniments that swelled and ebbed like the characters' emotions.
It had taken weeks to sort everything out: color grading, sound mixing, fixing continuity errors, and adjusting transitions. Each tiny detail was scrutinized and refined. The entire crew was exhausted but driven, knowing this was their chance to shine.
Adrian had been pacing a lot these days, his mind a flurry of thoughts about the final product, the release plan, and the future. The ten million pesos system award that had funded the project was almost completely spent. The pressure of stretching the budget had been immense, and though every peso had been accounted for, Adrian knew the real challenge was just beginning.
One morning, Adrian found himself sitting in a quiet café, waiting for Lance Villarta—the scout and mentor who had become his closest advisor since the film's inception.
Lance arrived promptly, his usual confident stride bringing a fresh wave of energy into the room. He carried a slim leather folder stuffed with papers and notes. As they sat down across from each other, Lance opened the folder with a knowing smile.
"So, post-production is wrapping up?" Lance asked, eyes bright with anticipation.
Adrian nodded, trying to mask the fatigue behind a firm expression. "Yeah, after weeks of work, Jom and the team finally have a near-final cut. Ella's music is the last big piece. She's been brilliant, crafting a soundtrack that's really elevating the whole film."
Lance leaned back. "That's great. You've got a strong foundation. Now, the next step—getting this movie out there and heard."
Adrian sighed softly. "That's what's keeping me up at night. How do we break through the noise? Make sure people see the film and respect what we've done? I don't have big studio backing or big-name actors. It's all on us."
Lance smiled reassuringly. "You're not alone in this. I've been in touch with some contacts—local radio stations, music bloggers, film critics. We can coordinate a trailer release paired with the soundtrack's launch. It's a solid plan to create buzz."
Adrian perked up. "I was thinking of making the trailer and the soundtrack separate. Ella's music stands on its own. It's almost like its own story."
"That's smart," Lance said approvingly. "You'll want to post the trailer on YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo—places where your audience actually spends time. The soundtrack should be an audio release: SoundCloud, streaming platforms, and local radio. Building anticipation from both ends."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully. "Ella's theme is beautiful. It needs to reach the right ears. It's more than just background music—it's the heartbeat of the film."
"Exactly," Lance said. "And with the trailer teasing the visuals, and the soundtrack stirring emotions, you'll have a compelling package. Now, about timing..."
---
Back in the editing suite, the atmosphere was charged but focused.
Ella tapped away at her keyboard, headphones on, completely lost in her work. The soft notes of her piano melody filled the room, weaving through the editing monitors like a gentle breeze.
Kai wandered over, munching on chips. "Ella, you think this track will make people cry?" he teased.
Ella laughed softly. "If it doesn't, I'll know I need to try harder."
Jom, sitting nearby, kept his eyes glued to the latest cut of the film. "This music fits perfectly. It's like the soul of *City of Stars*."
Ella glanced up, smiling. "That's the goal. I want it to stand alone, so when people hear it on the radio or online, they think of the film—even if they haven't seen the trailer yet."
Adrian entered, carrying a USB stick. "I've been working on the trailer edit. It's about two minutes long—focused on key emotional moments without spoiling too much. The music plays a short motif from Ella's theme—just enough to tease the full soundtrack."
Ella nodded approvingly. "That's perfect. It keeps the audience curious."
---
Later that evening, Adrian sat alone at his desk in his apartment, laptop open and the trailer timeline glowing on the screen. He adjusted clips meticulously: Gabbi's tender gaze, the couple dancing beneath city lights, the subtle yet powerful exchanges between characters. Each frame was trimmed, shifted, and refined.
His phone buzzed—a message from Lance:
*"Ready to launch the trailer next week. Music release to follow. Let's make this count."*
Adrian smiled, fingers flying over the keyboard as he scheduled uploads and social media posts. This wasn't just a trailer—it was his calling card, a statement that he was ready to step into the spotlight.
---
Over the following days, Lance's network kicked into gear. Press releases were drafted and sent out. Music bloggers received snippets of Ella's haunting composition. Radio DJs queued up the theme music between sets, speaking about the upcoming release of *City of Stars*. Social media platforms buzzed with speculation and excitement.
Film forums lit up with discussions about the movie's potential. Who was this new director? What was *City of Stars* about? Early reactions to the trailer trickled in: praise, curiosity, and some skepticism.
---
One afternoon, Adrian and Lance met again in a quiet café to review their promotional strategy.
"Trailer views are steadily climbing," Lance reported. "And the music is getting airtime on several local radio stations. The combination is working."
Adrian let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "It's happening. We're getting attention."
"There's still a mountain ahead," Lance warned. "Festivals, critics, distributors—it's a battlefield out there. But you've got a strong start."
Adrian's jaw tightened with resolve. "I'm ready."
---
That night, back in his apartment, Adrian played Ella's theme once again. The melody swelled and softened, carrying with it all the hopes, struggles, and dreams that had been poured into the project.
He whispered to himself, voice steady and fierce:
"When I make it big... when *City of Stars* shines on that big screen... there will be no stopping me."
---
The next morning, Adrian woke early, determination still burning in his chest. His phone lit up with messages from the crew, each sharing updates and encouragement. The journey had been long and hard, but it was finally coming to a head.
The trailer would go live in just a few days. The soundtrack would follow, carried by Ella's artistry and Lance's industry savvy. The movie would speak for itself.
Adrian stared out at the city skyline, imagining the night *City of Stars* would light up theaters. The doubts and obstacles faded in the face of his vision.(End chapter)