Becoming
A short film reflecting on the human journey of self-discovery — the quiet metamorphosis and rebirth that unfolds as we shift course, moving towards our true purpose.
Project Overview
CLIENT DIAZ
LOCATION Dallas, Texas
PROJECT TYPE Conceptual Short Film
DIAZ, an ad agency based in Dallas, Texas, was seeking to evolve their presence—wanting to step more confidently into the fashion and beauty space with a motion piece that felt elevated, conceptual, and editorial in tone. Opal had been working with their team in an ongoing consulting role - helping guide their photography output, providing creative direction on studio layout, and advising on the spatial and visual design of their events. As they prepared to mark their seventh anniversary, they expressed interest in developing a signature visual piece to support that milestone. The goal was to create something striking and emotionally resonant that could help position them for new growth in style-driven industries.
Prior to this engagement, Opal had developed a story and working title - Becoming — centered on the theme of transformation. When we presented the concept to DIAZ, it resonated immediately and aligned seamlessly with their vision for the next chapter. That foundation became the starting point for the film.
Creative Development & Direction
Becoming was conceived as a conceptual short film told in visual chapters, each reflecting a stage of emergence. The narrative follows a central figure transitioning from confinement to expansion - expressed through deliberate shifts in environment, styling, and tone.
To translate the written narrative into a visual experience, Opal developed a detailed storyboard and sequential framework. We scouted three distinct Dallas-area locations that embodied the emotional arc - moving from stark, brutalist architecture to more organic, open landscapes. Working closely with the cinematographer, we ensured that each setting supported the story’s evolution and met our visual benchmarks. On set, we directed talent, styling, and camera movement - collaborating on both primary scenes and b-roll to maintain cohesion across each chapter.
Casting played a central role in bringing nuance to the piece. We selected a performer with the presence and subtlety needed to convey transformation without overt dramatization. Styling and lighting were designed with intention - each reinforcing the layered metamorphosis at the heart of the film.
OPAL Production & Execution
Concept Development & Creative Direction
Casting & Location Scouting
Styling Direction, Style Guide & Production Design
Creative Production & Team Curation
On-Set Direction
Post-Production Oversight & Sound Design
Utilization & Rollout
Following delivery, Becoming served as the visual centerpiece and creative foundation for DIAZ’s seventh-anniversary runway event. The concept and narrative of the film directly informed the event’s styling, spatial design, and overall atmosphere - shaping everything from the mood of the space to the flow of the show. The film itself was projected as a dynamic backdrop throughout the runway show, further reinforcing the story and aesthetic in motion. It became a tone-setting piece for the agency’s public-facing creative - anchoring a broader reintroduction to potential clients in the fashion and beauty sector.
Becoming
a film written & directed by Alicia Stepp
Executive Producers
Carlos & Sarah Diaz
Cinematographer & Editor
Travis Beverly
Art Director
Dean Yorimitsu
Line Producer
Marcos Celis
Lead Fashion Stylist
Leslie Rivas
Model
Magnolia Munn
Wardrobe Support
Design Vault
Style Assistant
Buffy Youngblood
Hair & Makeup
Rocio Vielma
Nails
Jen Gomez
Gaffer
Joseph Lacerte
Assistant
Benjamin Charlton
BTS Photo
Luke McDonald