Ribs - ID# 296
Deerfield
Music Video
Entry Description
In this stirring music video set to Lorde's "Ribs," Eden Guon tells an emotional story about coming of age and leaving behind all that is comfortable and all that you know.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/16 10:17 am - STORY: I think this video does a great job of showing heartfelt emotion and story utilizing memories, reflections and visual layering. The juxtaposition of happy and sad moments in the opening sequence works really well and sets the emotional tone effectively. The use of overlays around the character in the bed at 0:51 is an excellent visual. It helps the audience understand that character is lost in thought and remember specific moments. There are a few shots towards the middle of your video that linger just a bit too long (1:13 and 2:18). You might consider adding cutaways or close-ups of items the character is holding to break these longer shots and keep the visuals interesting. SOUND: the audio is mixed appropriately. As an extra, it would be nice to hear audio from some of the overlaid clips, especially if there is any laughing when the child is playing around the playground, or from the home video footage. CAMERA: you include some strong shot choices that really help support the emotional tone your video is going for. The shot from above at 0:47 is effective in conveying a sense of isolation and emotional vulnerability. Something to note is focus. Your shots at 1:07 and 2:42 are out of focus. At 1:07, it appears that the subject’s knee is sharper than the face. Always make sure to double-check focus and reshoot if needed! At 2:55, the outdoor night shot is framed nicely, but the bright red stop sign near the character’s head is visually distracting. It can pull the viewer out of the word you’ve built. Adjusting framing or shifting over a few feet can solve this issue! This scene in particular could also have used a bit more lighting to bring out the subject’s expression. LIGHTING: You use that available lighting effectively. There are times, like at 1:12, where your shot is underexposed. Consider bringing in light or increasing exposure to help with this. EDITING: Your editing shows thoughtful pacing and effective use of visual layers. The home footage and overlays add a sense of nostalgia. At 1:02, one of your overlaid videos cuts abruptly while the others fade. Be sure to stay consistent with your transitions to keep things cohesive. At 1:17, the “old video” effect ends abruptly. If that wasn’t intentional, consider fading it out gradually. Also at 3:59, the final shot of the bear is very brief. Consider shortening the previous shot slighting to allow the bear shot to linger longer. This could help create a more meaningful and reflective closing for the video. Overall this is a well composed video and is very memorable! Keep up the great work!
- 2/18 10:01 am - The opening sequence is a creative and thought-provoking way to start the video, with the celebration of a happy birthday being interrupted by moments of solitude and reflection. This juxtaposition of joy and introspection immediately sets the tone for the narrative, drawing the viewer into the emotional depth of the song. The shift between these contrasting moods is effective in capturing the complexity of growing up and the bittersweet nature of memories, making it both relatable and poignant. The video overlay technique is used well here, adding an extra layer of meaning and visual interest. It’s creatively integrated into the narrative, providing moments that feel surreal yet grounded in the overall theme. The quick edits further contribute to maintaining the viewer’s attention, keeping the pacing tight and ensuring the video remains dynamic while effectively conveying the song’s emotions. These stylistic choices help create a sense of urgency and energy, while also emphasizing the reflective nature of the video. However, one area for improvement would be the use of lighting and camera depth of field. Utilizing more varied lighting techniques—such as adjusting the light to highlight certain elements or create mood shifts—could elevate the overall feel of the video. Lighting can significantly affect the atmosphere, especially in moments of reflection or solitude, where softer or more dramatic lighting could enhance the emotional impact. Additionally, depth of field can be used more creatively to draw focus to key subjects or objects, helping to direct the viewer's attention to the most important visual cues in each shot. Playing with shallow depth of field, for instance, could add layers of meaning and visual interest, especially in moments of introspection or contemplation. Overall, this music video does an excellent job of capturing the emotional tension and complexity of growing up, highlighting both the joyous and reflective aspects of life. The blend of celebration and solitude, along with the thoughtful use of video overlays and quick edits, makes for a compelling and visually appealing piece. With a few adjustments to lighting and camera techniques, the video could reach even greater emotional depth. Fantastic work!
Judge 1
Positives: There's terrific motion in the edit. Decent performance. Love the teddy bear.
Improvements: It's too dark. The VHS FX are not convincing. The color is flat.
Judge 2
Positives: The concept of mourning over a growing older was communicated well, especially through the performance of the lead. The use of old home video and what looked like a younger actor cast to play the young version of the main character worked really well. The editing generally helped to tell convey a nicely simple story.
Improvements: The audio editing/mixing in the opening could have been smoother. The use of the scratched film filter could have been more consistent throughout. The lighting/color correction in the lighting the paper scene at twilight could have been made more continuous, instead of jumping from night to dusk at points.
Judge 3
Positives: I like the ending where the little girl was interacting with the bear, and we just see the bear but she's not there. Really good storytelling there. The intro really sets the scene for the video's story. Showing the forced joy of people singing you happy birthday but then feeling the opposite. Really creative addition.
Improvements: Think I would have liked to see a closeup of her face with flame lighting when we're burning the photos. Flame lighting is very dynamic and one of a kind. Bumps up the production value.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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