Last Christmas, Behind the Green Screen

What happens when you combine a green screen, a Christmas theme, a group of friends, and the song Last Christmas?

Apparently, you get one very entertaining A-Level Media Studies project.

For this challenge, my friends and I decided to create a Christmas-themed video featuring lip-syncing and plenty of festive energy. While my friends took on the acting and performing, my main responsibility was editing the footage and bringing the final video together.

Before I could even start editing, however, we had to set everything up. I helped arrange the cameras and prepare the green-screen space so that we could capture the footage we needed. Seeing my friends perform in front of a green background was already funny enough, but I knew the real challenge would begin once I sat down to edit.

I spent approximately a week working on the project. I watched YouTube tutorials, experimented with different editing techniques, and learned through trial and error. Some effects worked better than others, and there were definitely moments when I had to redo things because the result did not look the way I wanted.

But that was also my favorite part.

Instead of simply following instructions, I had the opportunity to experiment and figure things out for myself. I could test different techniques, adjust the footage, and gradually transform what we had filmed into something more complete. Every time I learned a new editing trick, I wanted to try it out and see what else I could create.

The project reminded me that making a video involves much more than pointing a camera at someone and pressing record. Camera placement, lighting, performance, editing, and visual effects all contribute to the final product. Even a playful Christmas video requires planning and coordination to make everything work together.

Most importantly, I genuinely enjoyed the process. Spending a week editing, learning from tutorials, and experimenting with the green screen never felt like just another assignment. It gave me an opportunity to combine technical skills with creativity and see an idea develop into a finished video.

And here is the final result!

Looking back, I am proud not only of the video itself but also of everything I learned along the way. Sometimes, the most enjoyable projects are the ones that challenge you to figure things out as you go.