Curl Talk - ID# 255

Metea Valley
Commercial
Entry Description

A commercial on Not Your Mother's Curl Talk products.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

  • 4/26 11:37 am - Your selection of shots, editing and even your choice in casting has helped you make a very strong video. It is also clear that you took some time to develop a story and shot list...and then carried out that plan. Overall this is a solid piece of work. Well done!
  • 3/4 10:05 pm - It's wonderful to hear that the narrative of your commercial for the curly hair product has been well-received and that the actress played a significant role in conveying the ethos of the product. Crafting a narrative that resonates with your audience and effectively communicates the product's values is crucial in advertising, and it sounds like you've managed to achieve this balance. The choice of an actress who embodies the spirit of the product can indeed make a profound impact, enhancing authenticity and relatability. Your reflection on the product shots provides a valuable insight into the importance of aligning the visual tone with the overall mood of the commercial. When the subject matter is lighthearted and aims to celebrate or empower, ensuring that the product shots complement this tone is essential. Here are some suggestions to refine your approach to product shots in future projects: Match Visual Tone to Narrative: When your commercial has a lighthearted or empowering narrative, aim for product shots that reflect this mood. This could mean opting for bright, natural lighting, using vibrant but not overwhelming colors, and choosing settings or backgrounds that feel uplifting and positive. Simplify the Composition: In lighthearted commercials, simplicity can be key. Consider product shots that are clean and straightforward, avoiding overly dramatic angles or effects that might contrast with the overall tone. A focus on clarity and simplicity can help the product stand out in a way that feels genuine and unforced. Consistency in Aesthetic: Ensure that there is a visual consistency between the narrative segments and the product shots. This coherence in aesthetic helps to create a seamless viewing experience, where the product shots feel like a natural extension of the story being told.
Judge 1

Positives: Great job! Very clear story - good setup moment that draws the viewer in. As simple as it is, the "bad hair day?" line really does a good job of driving the spot, and the little details of type face size and placement feel really on point.

Improvements: What I wanted to see more of was variety in shots which could serve the story better. To be more specific, All the talent/hair shots were grouped in the middle, followed by a bunch of product shots. Threading these two areas throughout the spot would be cool! What I wanted to see less of was...the commercial! I mean this constructively. Part of the difficulty of making work, is knowing when to cut, when to edit stuff out, knowing when a particula shot does or does not serve the larger idea. The constraints of a :30 for TV can be helpful in this case, I would push you to try to get the edit down to :30...and ask yourself throughout the spot..."does this shot serve a purpose? If I lost it, would the story/idea still be there?"

Judge 2

Positives: 1. The sound is excellent. The music is fun, the scream is fun, the transition noises kept me interested and engaged. 2. I think the BEST shot is when the actor is spinning, and there is a jump cut and now her hair is perfect after using the product. That was a great shot that I can easily picture on a tv ad.

Improvements: 1. I think the dark lighting decision didn't fit for this type of commercial. At 0:23 we see the product but it has a black background and the product is in a somewhat dimly light yellow color. It almost looks like it's in a dark room being lit by a small candle. Ditto for the shot of the cream in the hand at 0:30. I wouldn't say these shots are "bad" or "low quality", I just think they don't match the commercial. Beauty products sell best when they are very bright and vivid and fun. The dark lighting was cool, but just felt more like the lighting I would use in a horror movie. When the actor winks at the camera at 0:22, that is how the whole commercial should feel, in my opinion. Idea: Your actor had a great smile and great hair (perfect for this product). Let HER sell the product and you can do all the product shots with it in her hands, while she is smiling and enjoying the product. If not that, I think close up shots of the product on a nice bathroom counter would have been more effective. Bright colors evoke feelings of fun, clean, happy, exciting, and high quality. Every vitamin commercial is a blast of color. 2. I took off a point for story because of the line "Not your mother's" Curl Talk". That didn't tie in with the rest of the commercial, for me. It's a good line for a commercial BUT that line doesn't go with your commercial. Maybe if you show a mom that has some old 1980's product and she's super lame! But now young cool girl has CURL TALK because she knows the best hair care product for the audience. cue: Not your Mother's Curl Talk! FINAL THOUGHTS: This was a very high quality commercial. I was genuinely entertained and interested in the 40 second journey of this girl waking up with frizzled hair, and then using this product. The production value was A+. There were moments were I felt that this could have easily been a commercial I would see on TV for a major brand. Your commercial (basically) follows the "before and after" concept. Before: My hair is messed up, AHHHHHH! After: I used this wonderful product and now my life is perfect! I'm so glad I purchased this product. Commercials will drastically change visuals (and audio) to accentuate the BEFORE and the AFTER. For example: Are you tired of this? And it shows a guy eating a boring hot dog in a jail cell and the lighting is bad and there's no music. You need to try TIM'S HOT DOGS! Then it cuts to a fun, colorful BBQ with attractive people everywhere and fun music. Therefore, going back to my comments about your lighting... Maybe next time you show the actor in dark lighting, THEN the product is introduced and now everything is colorful and bright. To the director: Your attention to detail is great. I can tell you definitely have an eye for the camera. If you want to do this professionally, this is definitely something that you could pursue and be successful in. To the actor (same person? a friend?): I am a professional actor. I've been in 100+ commercials. I also teach commercial acting. I know a LOT about commercials and that whole world... You have an incredibly natural ability on camera. It seemed like you were a commercial pro that has done this hundreds of times. It can be really hard to fake enthusiasm for a product after 20 takes, but you seemed like you were genuinely and enthusiastically enjoying the product. That is a gift. Pro-level on camera performance here.

Judge 3

Positives: What a convincing commercial! I could see this playing before my favorite you tube videos! I loved the story, and the shots. Both were complimented by the Editing.

Improvements: Perhaps there was a way to improve the lighting for the cutaways at the end. Using something other than black backgrounds may have been more dynamic.

Judge 4

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Judge 5

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