Ex Boyfriend - ID# 192
Lyons Township
Music Video
Entry Description
This is music video for the original song "Ex-Boyfriend" by the band Summit. Song written by Ella Cuttica, music video directed and edited by Alex Mudd.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/17 1:52 pm - STORY: This music video delivers a clear and dramatic story that portrays a fallout in a relationship. Your video is easy to follow and is emotionally effective. The dialogue scene at 1:14 is a standout moment that really pushes the story forward and adds depth to the characters. I also appreciated the inclusion of the moment at 0:49, which helps setup that there will be some kind of conflict. SOUND: Overall, your audio is mixed appropriately. I think the song is catchy and it matches the tone of the video well. It complements the emotional pacing of the story. One thing to note is that at 1:34, the audio transition between the dialogue and the music is abrupt. The music jumps in suddenly and loudly, which could be jarring for the viewer. Use J and L cuts to blend the sound more smoothly. After lowering the volume of the music you want to gradually fade it back up after the slap. CAMERA: You use a variety of different shots. You have a great overhead shot at 0:19 which is a creative perspective that adds to the visual style. The close-ups of performers and instruments are a nice touch that ties the performance into the narrative effectively. At 0:23 and 0:42, the framing does feel a bit off. The singer is pushed forward with a large empty space behind her. I know this was probably done to include the other band members, but it still feels like something should be entering the frame behind all of them. Try reframing by adjusting your camera angle slightly off-center, which could better balance the frame and still feature the whole band. You can even consider replacing these shots with just a side profile of the band performing instead. Also, be aware of walls and backgrounds. The performers seem quite close to the wall, which flatten the depth of the shot. If possible, pull the performers a few steps forward to create some separation. The shot at 0:33 is a bit dark, but it is well framed - adjusting your exposure or adding a small fill light could help here! LIGHTING: Overall, your lighting supports the mood of the scenes. Your shot at 0:19 has an overly warm area on the right side of the frame. Make sure that you pay attention to the color temperature of the lights you use throughout your video. Some shots are much cooler or warmer than others (cool tone: 0:25, warmer tone: 0:19). Also consider including a fill light that comes in from the left side of the frame of 0:19. If you don’t have an actual production light, use a reflector or a bounce board or even another light that you can find at home to fill in the darkness on the left side of the character’s face. Balancing light across a subject can create a much more readable image. EDITING: Your editing balances the performance with the narrative side of your music video. The pace builds the story and your use of close-ups and different perspectives keeps your video visually dynamic! As mentioned earlier, smooth out your audio transitions especially when coming out of dialogue. Abrupt cuts can pull the viewer out of the moment. Overall, this is a high-energy and engaging video with some great storytelling choices. With a bit more attention to technical details like framing, lighting and polished audio you can bring this piece to the next level. Keep creating amazing work! I can’t wait to see what you make next. Great job!
- 2/18 10:41 am - This is a creative and fun music video that does an excellent job of keeping the viewer engaged. The energy of the video matches the upbeat vibe of the song, and it’s clear that a lot of thought went into the concept and execution. The on-camera performances are strong, and the performers bring a lot of charisma to their roles. Their energy comes through in each shot, making it enjoyable to watch and connecting with the audience on a personal level. One of the standout elements of the video is the balance between storytelling and live performance footage. This combination works really well to maintain the pacing of the video and keep things dynamic. The storytelling aspect provides context and emotional depth, while the live performance footage brings in that raw, energetic feel, which is a great way to showcase the artists’ talent. The live performance scenes not only highlight the performers' charisma but also create a sense of excitement and immersion, drawing the viewer into the experience. I also really enjoyed the song itself—it’s catchy, memorable, and perfectly paired with the visuals. The music has a great rhythm and flow, and the video complements the tempo and tone, adding to the overall impact. While the video is fun and engaging, there are always opportunities to enhance the visual experience further. For instance, you could consider using more dynamic camera movements or interesting angles to add even more visual variety and keep the viewer’s attention. Adding creative lighting choices could also amplify the mood in key moments, whether to highlight the performers or set a specific atmosphere for certain scenes. Overall, this is a very well-executed music video. It’s creative, fun, and effectively balances storytelling with performance footage. The on-camera performances and pacing are well done, and I think the video does a great job of capturing the energy of the song. The editing and structure work well to keep the video engaging from start to finish. Keep up the great work—I look forward to seeing more of your projects in the future!
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