Garden Song - ID# 26
Lyons Township
Music Video
Entry Description
A music video for the song "Garden Song", reflecting on life and growing up.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 2/21 12:13 pm - The opening sequence creates suspense and intrigue through the use of dramatic lighting. The pacing of the montage depicting the subject sitting at a desk and contemplating life is well-executed but could use some more pronounced lighting. The passage of time is effectively conveyed through the use of old photos, sunsets, and wall height markings, which are visually reinforced by the notches on the doorway in sync with the lyrics. The scene of the subject strumming a guitar amidst artifacts of their younger self in an empty field is particularly poignant. Overall, it's a thought-provoking reflection on the nostalgia of simpler times and thinking about what the future holds.
Judge 1
Positives: The video is well edited,
Improvements: Some of this is too dark. The performance can be more expressive.
Judge 2
Positives: The story was super clear, and the narrative arc was nicely structured. I loved the climax in the open field with the childish things in the middle of nowhere. Quite emotionally moving. There were some really terrific compositions in the video as well. One that sticks out is with the guitar head in the foreground, and the actor in the background. Beautiful.
Improvements: I liked what you were trying to do with the match and jump cuts, it was an effective technique to use here. But it just needed a little more precision. For example, when you were able to lockdown camera and have the actor in the background, it worked a lot better than in the bedroom, where the actor needed to be really precise about head positioning. That could have been fixed by framing wider, then zooming in a touch in post. Finally, I dinged you under sound because the piece felt more like a non-dialogue short film than a music video (which in my opinion, should have a little music performance of some kind, if even just a bit of lip-synching).
Judge 3
Positives: Great job shooting enough footage to keep the story going at a solid pace throughout. There were very few times that it dragged and there was just enough mystery to keep the viewer wanting more. To me, I thought the two baby pictures represented him and possibly a sibling who didn't make it. Doesn't matter if that was what you were going for... this story allows you to fill in your own blanks. Great job.
Improvements: you don't need as many establishing shots. The audience will know even with much shorter shots. Always be trimming. But overall this was really well done.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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