Woods by Mac Miller - ID# 446
Metea Valley
Music Video
Entry Description
Music video for "Woods" by Mac Miller
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/17 10:57 am - STORY: You do a great job of including multiple locations, camera angles and perspectives that keep the viewer engaged in your music video! Your story also feels grounded in real emotions and actions and you do a nice job building the mood. SOUND: Your audio is mixed appropriately. As a bonus, it would be nice to hear some SFX of ambient sound from your clips. For example, we see one of the characters waving at the main character at 2:02. Maybe we could hear what they are saying at this moment? This can be very subtle under the music track. CAMERA: You use a variety of camera angles and shots which again, helps keep the video visually engaging from start to finish. That kind of variety is a big plus in storytelling. The shot at 1:19 is beautifully framed, using leading lines from the trail to naturally draw out eyes to the character. Also really nice composition at 2:55 and 3:13 - great use of depth of field and compelling framing. Something to consider is the trash can in the center of your frame within your opening shot. It’s still visible even after the character sits down in front of it. This kind of background item can become distracting. If you were on set filming at that angle, you could move the trash can temporarily and put it back after you finish filming. At 1:54, the camera seems slightly above eye level and the framing has too much headroom. Consider lowering the camera to eye level and tilting it slightly to better center the two characters within the frame. Also, the camera seems slightly crooked - always make sure to level your tripod! The shot at 1:37 has a nice concept, but it feels shaky and abrupt compared to the static shots that come before and after. If you’re shooting handheld, try tucking in your elbows to stabilize your arms. Also, keep in mind that zooming in amplifies shakiness, so stay as wide as you can unless you’re stabilized. At 2:18, your focus is on the grass, not on the subject’s face - it’s a great shot otherwise, but adjust your focus to center the viewer’s attention to where you want it. You may need to set your camera to manual mode so that you can adjust focus to where you specifically want it to be. The angle at 2:38 is really effective! It gives the impression that the character is powerless or overwhelmed, which matches the moment really well! LIGHTING: The overall color tone is mostly neutral or slightly warm, which works well for the mood of the video. At 2:08, there is a strong blue tint that doesn't really match the rest of the piece. If this was intentional for a shift in tone or emotion, consider reinforcing that shift with additional visuals or context. Otherwise, be sure your white balance is consistent throughout the video to keep it cohesive! EDITING: The editing pace matches the energy and emotional tone of the song. You cut on the beat and that really helps propel your video forward. Your cutting between locations is also smooth. Something to consider is matching action between your shots. For example, at 2:55, the character is standing still and then suddenly you cut to running in the next shot. To create better continuity, consider having the character start running out of frame in the first shot so it connects more naturally to the next one. This kind of matched action can help maintain the flow of your video and avoid jarring cuts. Overall, your ability to frame scenes in ways that support emotion is very strong. With just a few refinements in camera techniques and lighting I think you can truly take this piece to the next level! Keep creating and building your artistic voice. I can’t wait to see your work in the future! Great job!
- 2/18 10:39 am - The music video does a commendable job of using storytelling to engage the viewer. The narrative is clear, and it effectively captures the essence of the song. It's great to see that a variety of locations were incorporated throughout the video, as this helps to keep the visual experience fresh and dynamic. Each setting serves to complement different aspects of the story, allowing the video to reflect the song's progression and emotional depth. The diversity of locations also adds layers to the storytelling, making it more engaging for the viewer as the scenes unfold. While the storytelling and location variety are strong points of the video, there are areas where the visuals could be enhanced to further elevate the overall quality. One of the main suggestions would be to experiment with lighting. The right lighting can transform a scene, setting the mood, adding depth, and drawing attention to key elements within the frame. For example, using contrast between light and shadow can create drama or highlight the emotional intensity of a particular moment. Even subtle shifts in lighting can make a significant impact in terms of storytelling, adding a sense of mystery, warmth, or coolness depending on the desired tone. Another element that could enhance the visual interest is the use of depth of field. By adjusting the focus, you can guide the viewer's attention to specific areas of the frame and create a more immersive experience. Shallow depth of field (where the background is blurred while the subject remains in focus) can isolate characters or objects, making them stand out against their surroundings and emphasizing emotional beats. Conversely, deep depth of field (where everything remains in focus) can help capture the entire scene and establish context, which is particularly useful for wide shots or when you want to showcase a variety of elements within the frame. Incorporating more dynamic camera movement would also contribute to the visual appeal of the video. Static shots can be effective, but adding movement—whether it’s a slow pan, a tilt, a tracking shot, or a dolly zoom—can make the video feel more fluid and engaging. Camera movement can be used to enhance storytelling by following characters, revealing new elements of the scene, or building anticipation. A thoughtful approach to camera movement can add energy and dynamism, giving the video a more polished, professional feel.
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