Chicago Reel - ID# 229
Metea Valley
Cinematography
Entry Description
Shots of Chicago with a post apocalyptic vibe.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/29 1:27 pm - String sense of composition and solid framing in several shots. While the theme of Chicago is dynamic, the shots here often do not exceed in the way that a cinematography reel would in order to place highly. For example, exposure often is not accurate as well as white balance. In this category we typically like to see a lot more delight with regard to negative space, lighting, focal length, color, and lighting.
- 4/28 3:11 pm - I really appreciated the discipline you showed by using a tripod to ensure your shots were stable and well-composed. Your use of symmetry was a great choice and shows you have a patient eye for balance. To compete with the top-tier entries that hit the mastery level in the Camera section of the rubric, I’d encourage you to show us that same level of control while the camera is in motion. The rubric looks for a diverse range of movements, so incorporating some motivated pans or handheld work that remains steady would prove you have total fluency with your gear. If you can pair your current eye for symmetry with dynamic movement, your technical skill score will climb significantly.
- 4/6 2:18 pm - PROS The reel demonstrates a clear attempt at creative innovation through the use of selective color between 0:12 and 0:16, where desaturating the background while maintaining the red of the hat effectively directs the viewer's perspective toward the subject. The opening shot from 0:00 to 0:04 is well-composed, utilizing the natural lines of the bench to create a strong diagonal composition that leads the eye into the frame. The high-angle wide shot of the highway from 0:05 to 0:11 shows a good understanding of perspective, successfully capturing the massive scale of an urban environment and providing a sense of place. IMPROVEMENTS The primary areas for growth are in camera variety and intentional lighting control. The reel currently relies heavily on static shots, which limits the ability to demonstrate a diverse range of camera movements; incorporating motivated pans, tilts, or stabilized tracking shots would show greater technical fluency. Several exterior sequences (the highway at 0:05) appear somewhat flat due to the overcast conditions. While the footage is clear, utilizing the golden hour or applying more contrast in post-production would help create more pop and add the visual emphasis necessary to convey a specific mood. OVERALL This is a technically competent project that shows a solid foundation in composition and a willingness to experiment with visuals. It successfully meets the criteria for clarity and visual fluency, though it currently lacks variety of movement and lighting mastery. By focusing on incorporating more dynamic camera work and using light more intentionally to shape the environment, the filmmaker can move from capturing simple documentation to creating a more compelling and professional cinematic narrative.
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