Why Do I Cry - ID# 191
Lyons Township
Music Video
Entry Description
A music video for the song "Why Do I Cry" by Margo Guryan. I tried to capture how this song made me feel, and I was inspired by the vintage cinematic influences of the French avant garde as I listed to this song repeatedly. My friend is the subject in the video, and we worked on capturing the right mood through somber lighting, black and white video, and empty settings that evoked the loneliness in the song.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/28 4:01 pm - Loved the choice of black and white. Interesting lighting choices - unique and nicely done. The framing at 0:45...made me want to see a bit more of the lower half. 1:25 shots didn't add much due to the lighting. Loved the stairs shot though. Overall, nice job.
- 4/18 11:51 am - Interesting interpretation of the song. Some of the shots were just beautiful. I really liked the one thru the door. Edit was paced well. The mood and tone fit the song. Nice variety of angles and compositions. Nice job!
- 2/22 10:00 am - Black and white adds to the dramatic effect and matches the mood of the song. Some of the compositions of the video are very strong, for example on the stairs behind the railing. Good use of lighting and matching the mood of the song.
Judge 1
Positives: It's very well shot in terms of framing and composition. The performer does a terrific job of mimicking disaffection.
Improvements: More lighting coverage would help some of the darker scenes. The music fade and the final dissolve should be synced more closely.
Judge 2
Positives: I love how beautiful this video is visually. A black and white photographer's sensibility. I especially love some of your off kilter compositions, and that shot with the reflection of the window. And the one at the staircase. But the performance by your lead actor makes this video. There are times I laughed out loud, the dead pan was so effective. Also, great job taking your inspiration visually from the song. Choosing to shoot in 1.33. Feels like a Wes Anderson film (which is just French New Wave homage).
Improvements: I'd caution you to be careful about having potential objectification of women, and in this case, a girl, in a music video. There's so much of that at the core of the genre, I don't think you want to go near there, if even by accident. I really debated dinging you for that, so remember this when you submit to festivals in your bright future. You never know the sensibilities of the judges, and if you offend them, it could be the best thing since La Jetee, but it won't go forward. BTW, I'm a cisgender man, so take my mansplaining with a grain of salt.
Judge 3
Positives: great song choice and the video complimented it well. Somber was definitely the mood but not in a bummer way. Casting was important and your actor emoted perfectly to match the song's vibes.
Improvements: I got the French cinema homage but I'll argue that the pacing could have benefitted from some tightening up and the shots that were intentionally too long may have been too too long. The mood was conveyed effectively but one can only stay interested in that for so long without a storyline underneath. That being said, this was one of the better videos this year. lots of potential.
Judge 4
Positives:
Improvements: