Salt & Ember

Estimated duration: 1:00 · Format: 16:9, cinematic anamorphic, natural light, shallow depth of field, film grain

Concept

At first light on a grey shoreline, a small roastery wakes with the sea. A slow sequence of handmade rituals—from the old drum roaster to a shared warm cup—ends with Salt & Ember written in chalk on the shop window.

Characters

• Roaster — adult, weathered kind face, dark wavy hair tied back, sturdy build, rolled-sleeve charcoal work shirt, natural canvas apron, warm earthy colours.
• Fisherman One — adult, wind-reddened face, short greying beard, broad build, dark navy knit cap, deep blue weatherproof jacket.
• Fisherman Two — adult, lined face, salt-and-pepper hair, lean build, muted green wool cap, olive rain jacket.

Locations

• Seafront — quiet working shore and grey waves at dawn, cool mist and soft overcast light.
• Salt & Ember Roastery — intimate coastal coffee shop and roasting workspace, old copper-toned drum roaster, worn timber counter, warm amber practical lights against cool dawn window light.
• Shop Window — front window of the same roastery, lightly misted glass, dark sea beyond, space for the chalk-written Salt & Ember name.

Visual signature

Cool slate blues and sea greys gradually give way to ember amber and coffee browns. Anamorphic, tactile framing moves from wide coastal stillness to close details of hands, beans, flame and steam; slow push-ins and gentle handheld drift. A curl of smoke or steam recurs as a visual echo of the sea mist.

Audio plan

Use the clips’ own sound for surf, roaster ignition, beans tumbling and cracking, kettle pour, cups and quiet shop ambience. A gentle, intimate acoustic score grows subtly beneath the natural sounds. No narrator and no subtitles.

Pacing

Unhurried opening; a measured, tactile rhythm through roasting and brewing; a warm human pause as the fishermen arrive; settle into a simple, handmade closing image.

Acts

Act I — The shore wakes

• 0:00–0:07 — Dawn wide: grey waves roll beneath a low, mist-softened horizon; a faint amber glow appears in the roastery window.
• 0:07–0:14 — Inside, the Roaster opens the shop and readies the old drum roaster, hands moving with practiced care.

Act II — The craft

• 0:14–0:22 — The Roaster fires the machine; flame catches and the drum begins its steady turn.
• 0:22–0:30 — Close, tactile detail: coffee beans tumble, crack and release a thin ribbon of smoke.
• 0:30–0:38 — A kettle pours over fresh grounds; steam rises in amber window light as coffee gathers in the vessel.
• 0:38–0:46 — The Roaster sets out cups; the door opens and two fishermen step in from the cold shore.

Act III — Warmth to take away

• 0:46–0:54 — The fishermen cradle steaming cups between weathered hands; a quiet exchange of looks and a softened smile.
• 0:54–1:00 — On the shop window, the Roaster writes “Salt & Ember” in chalk; the warm lettering holds against the muted sea beyond.

Production notes

Keep the mood grounded, intimate and unhurried—not glossy or overly staged. Preserve natural coastal textures, believable roasting and pour-over actions, and continuity of the roastery. The final chalk lettering must read exactly “Salt & Ember”; avoid adding other visible text or invented logos.