Putting On a Space Suit - ID# 32

Lyons Township
Cinematography
Entry Description

My video incorporates my cinematography with an original poem that I wrote, and includes some natural sound woven into the tapestry of the narrative. I hope that by creating a more narrative cinematography, rather than just a collection of shots with a music bed, that the audience will have a greater connection to the messages that I try to show visually about life.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

  • 4/25 10:02 am - Compelling shots and use of sound. The editing and storyline, however, interrupt the nature of what this category is asking of you - to focus like a laser beam on shooting and lighting. It's hard to judge raw camera work here as the piece is so "finished" and edited. Your instincts are strong, but this piece doesn't truly suit the category. You would be better served taking your time with a tripod and using lights, even though this must have originated as travel video. Keep up the curiosity!
  • 4/20 10:38 am - PROS - Very interesting concept to give your shots connection and meaning. The Spacesuit theme really helped tie together the whole stranger in a strange land vibe that was present throughout the piece. The classic train footage was visually interesting. You have a few compositions that are very evocative, particularly because of the imbalance and lack of lead room (:42 and the escalator shot that is cut back to many times near the end) that create questions from the viewer and draw them in at the same time. Nicely done. Nice CUs at :44 and 1:54. CONS - Some shots out of focus made it difficult to define a clear subject of the shot. White balance was inconsistent at times, especially when some of the daylight rendered very blue and the train lighting rendered a deep amber - this may have been intended but looks like a mistake when there are other light sources in the same frame that are properly white balanced. The exposure was inconsistent, giving a very point and shoot feel to the piece. In uncontrolled lighting conditions, the skill of the cinematographer shines through in their ability to not only compose a compelling frame, but to also tame the light so you do not clip your highlights or lose unintended shadow detail. Be careful in the tube with fluorescent lighting; shutter adjustments in-camera will affect the amount of flicker visible in the lighting source. Overall very creative work!
  • 4/17 4:51 pm - Good work adding a story element to bring a specific structure and meaning to your shots. Many of them worked well with the natural light but when you went into underexposed natural light areas it would have been helpful to adjust in camera or to bring a ring light or a portable LED to provide more contrast and illumination. Some of the shots were not clearly focused so it's not easy for the eye to connect with your intent, beyond the subject. Especially as you're sharing a foreign space it would be helpful next time to provide a clear focal point.
Judge 1

Positives: Not like the other entries. Communicates a story.

Improvements: Not sure if the dizzying array of micro-photo shots is a detriment.

Judge 2

Positives: 1. Your editing choices here were phenomenal. Quick edits gave a sense of eeriness and you used a variety of space-themed shots to convey your message. 2. The voiceover really set this piece in motion in a good direction. Without it, it would not be the same, and dare I say that this one little choice to use a voiceover sent this piece over the moon when it could have made no sense without it.

Improvements: 1. I would have liked to hear another presence track to fill in the gaps where only you are speaking and nothing else is heard. A low droning reminiscent of the emptiness of space would've given this the last bit of "oomph" it needed. 2. I really like your use of natural sound, but sometimes the odd juxtapositions of them hurt rather than helped. By switching around clips or even extending the louder clips even a few more frames, the eeriness would've given you full marks in the editing aspect.

Judge 3

Positives: I'm a fan of the poetry. It a creative a new way of doing a reel. You have a variety of shots. I really like :33. I think it is a nice frame. There is movement in the background the talent has a soft glow to their face. Besides their face- the rest of the train car is black. It elicits emotion. Good work.

Improvements: There are some shots where I wish the framing was a little tighter. When the talent goes up the escalator at 1:19 that is a solid frame. They are on the left third with enough space in front. At :32 the talent feels compressed to the left of frame. Given that they are looking that way and traveling I want there to be more leading room.

Judge 4

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Judge 5

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