Karma Police - ID# 236
Homewood-Flossmoor
Music Video
Entry Description
Sometimes our greatest accomplishments are the ones that take us down.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/21 1:25 pm - STORY: This is a creative and clever music video with a unique take on storytelling. I love how it intensifies as the video continues, especially through your use of overlaid footage near the end. These overlaid moments create a chaotic montage, showing how things are unraveling, which works very well. The way the robot character is created is clever and the use of the dark humor is effective. SOUND: The audio is mixed well throughout the music video. As a bonus, consider adding subtle sound effects under the music in certain scenes. For example, at 0:54, a faint groan or struggle sound could help add to the fact that the character is carrying someone. Adding in subtle SFX can really add texture to your audio bed. The singer’s performance is compelling and also matches the intensity of the visual! Well done! CAMERA: There’s a great variety of camera shots. You keep your visuals fresh and dynamic. The shot at 0:42 of the guitar is excellent - amazing depth of field and framing here! The show as 2:19 is nicely composed as well, however, it is a tad bit dark. This shot could benefit from a subtle light on the right side of the frame to bring out more of the background detail. LIGHTING: The overall moody, gray color tone supports the unsettling atmosphere which was a great visual choice! In the singing scene, the lighting from below creates a creepy, stylized effect, which totally works if that was your intention. But at 0:41, there’s a strong nose shadow covering the opposite eye, which can feel a bit distracting. You can try to add a soft fill light or reposition the main light to reduce that kind of shadowing. Remember, you want to intentionally control shadows so that they don’t obscure facial features and expressions. EDITING: Your editing and pacing is a standout feature in your video. The use of overlays toward the end builds tensions and creates that chaotic feeling that mirrors what the character feels. You use a montage-style to repeat footage we previously saw, but it works! You have a unique video that is emotionally intense. The dark humor lands without distracting from the story. Great work!
- 2/18 11:23 am - This music video is creative and well done, showcasing a unique and engaging concept that keeps the viewer interested throughout. The use of a captivating robot character adds an imaginative and visually intriguing element, making it stand out. The robot's design and movements contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic of the video, adding both charm and a bit of mystery. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the character’s creation, and it works effectively within the storyline. The performance by the singer is also impressive, with great energy and charisma. The way the singer interacts with the robot and the environment feels natural, helping to create a connection between the character and the audience. The balance between the performance and the robot-driven narrative works well, ensuring that the focus stays on both the song and the storyline, with neither element overpowering the other. The storytelling in the video is strong, and the use of dark humor adds a unique flavor that sets this video apart. The humor is subtle yet effective, offering a twist that brings a fresh and engaging vibe to the overall narrative. It plays with unexpected moments and situations, which keeps the viewer intrigued and entertained while maintaining the music video’s artistic and emotional tone. Additionally, the depth of field used in the guitar shots is expertly executed. The focus on the instrument, combined with the background blur, creates a dynamic and visually appealing moment that enhances the overall production quality. It’s a great example of how technical choices like depth of field can elevate the storytelling and mood of a scene, adding emphasis to important details and creating a cinematic feel. The overall execution of the video is excellent. The combination of strong storytelling, a well-performed music track, and technical precision in areas like depth of field and cinematography results in a music video that is not only visually captivating but also emotionally engaging. The balance of entertainment, humor, and creativity keeps the viewer hooked from beginning to end. In summary, this is a very well done music video that delivers a fun, visually interesting, and entertaining experience. The captivating robot, solid performance from the singer, creative storytelling with dark humor, and the technical finesse in shots like the guitar depth of field all contribute to an outstanding video. You've crafted something that is both entertaining and memorable. Great job!
Judge 1
Positives: I appreciate the simplicity of the shots. 2:50ish.. The VFX work well.
Improvements: The shadows on the performer's face are distracting.The video is too dark overall. There are some sequences that I can barely see,
Judge 2
Positives: Really great job. Great performance, fantastic variety of shots. Nicely clear and structured story. Editing is probably my favorite part of the piece. The strategic use of double/repeated actions in some of the shots near the climax was fantastic. And the visual representation of audio distortion with the waveform shot, and ending with that shot, was genius.
Improvements: I really hate dinging you on lighting, because most students to be frank don't even try. You did try, and you deserve all the points for trying to use lighting to convey mood and character. But lighting from below on an actor can be just awful, even if the character is supposed to be evil or an anti-hero; it needs to be done just right. Especially when the shadows cast upwardly by hands occlude the actors face, it looks like a mistake even though I can see the intention behind it.
Judge 3
Positives: To think about the blue reflection needed on the shot at 0:33 is a nice touch and very nice attention to detail. The shot of the guitar showing the left hand strumming is really nice.
Improvements: The lighting at 3:32 is a little bit dark. Hard to see how this shot adds to the story. Sometimes if a shot doesn't add to the story super directly it's best to take it out. Happens all the time.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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