Private Eyes - ID# 125
Lyons Township
Music Video
Entry Description
The triumphant and heartbreaking story of a man who calls the “Callin’ Oates” hotline to soothe himself after a traumatic social moment. How long can our protagonist ride this sensational feeling before he cripples into devastating agony?
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/17 8:36 am - STORY: You have a great opening that sets the scene for your music video! We see that there is this break up happening and the main character instantly resorts to his phone. There’s also a great use of visuals to convey disconnection or isolation, especially with how often we see the main character framed alone after the opening scene. I think that it would strengthen the narrative to show the character standing up from the cafe table and walking out after the opening scene. It would better connect the emotional and visual transition at this point in your music video. Including a reaction shot of the other character at the table could also deepen the story. We would be able to see how she responds to him leaving, which could add more emotional complexity. SOUND: Your audio is mixed appropriately. The muffled audio at 0:42 really helps pull you into the character’s internal world and again at 3:44, the mix gives us a little sense of the overwhelming emotion. CAMERA: You have some really beautiful shots with great depth of field, especially in the opening cafe sequence. These help isolate the subject and guide the viewer’s eye. Your shot at 1:21 works well in how it frames the subject! The shot at 0:09 has a window that is blown out. Be cautious when shooting toward bright backgrounds. Consider adjusting your angle and/or exposure. The shot at 1:49 is underexposed on the subject’s face, likely due to backlighting. A reflector or bounce card could help fill in the shadows and balance the lighting. From 1:34 onward, lighting becomes very harsh. It seems like you were filming in full sun. This creates hard shadows, which is especially noticeable at 1:45. Consider filming later in the day, in the shade or on an overcast day to soften the light or use a diffuser/reflector. LIGHTING: There’s strong intentional use of cool and warm tones which help to represent mood shifts. However, the transition between the two lighting/color temperatures is very sudden. Consider building that shift more gradually or using a transition scene (like walking out the door) to ease into that shift. In sunny scenes, harsh lighting on the subject’s face and deep shadows can distract from emotional detail. Softening this would help! EDITING: The editing follows the emotional pacing of the story. You did a great job incorporating the blurred/muffled sequences. These add strong beats to your story. It could be interesting to have some kind of twist at the end. Specifically, you could have the ex-girlfriend return at the end or send a text and ask if he’s okay. It could give the ending more weight or offer an unexpected emotional beat. Overall, you use great camera techniques and sound design throughout your video! Keep up the great work!
- 2/18 10:32 am - The opening sequence of this music video stands out with its professional filming and thoughtful use of camera angles. The shots are well-composed and the dynamic angles immediately capture the viewer’s attention. The creative use of audio techniques, such as muffled sound and digital audio effects, is an interesting choice that adds an immersive quality to the video. These audio elements create a distinct atmosphere right from the start, setting a tone that feels unique and experimental, which works well for the intro. It’s clear that attention was paid to making the opening sequence intriguing and captivating, which really draws the audience in. However, after this strong opening, the tone and feel of the video shift significantly, and this change can feel a bit jarring. While the storytelling remains strong throughout, the transition in mood isn’t as seamless, and the shift in the visuals and overall vibe of the video might leave some viewers feeling disconnected.The shots in the second half don’t carry the same visual interest or sense of polish as the opening. The composition, camera angles, and overall attention to detail that were so carefully crafted at the beginning seem to be missing or less pronounced as the video progresses. Some of the shots feel a bit static or predictable, lacking the creative dynamism that initially made the video feel so engaging. There also seems to be less variety in the framing and angles, which makes the latter part of the video feel less visually compelling. To improve the second half of the video, it might help to incorporate more visually engaging elements—like experimenting with lighting, different camera angles, and thoughtful composition. Adding a bit more depth and variety in the shots could help maintain the same level of interest and emotional engagement that was established in the first half. Additionally, more dynamic or creative camera work could bring the same energy and attention to detail to this section that was so effective earlier on. Overall, this video demonstrates a strong start with professional filming, thoughtful audio techniques, and an interesting opening sequence. Great work overall, with room for some refinement in the latter sections!
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