Are We Still Friends? - ID# 481
Batavia
Music Video
Entry Description
A girl ending a relationship and the boy isn't ready for things to end and wants to keep talking.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/21 11:05 am - STORY: This is a strong and moody music video that explores the aftermath of a breakup, along with the question of whether two people can still be friends. Your choice to start at the moment of the fight at the very beginning (0:00 - 0:23) really grabs the attention of the viewer. I also love the juxtaposition between past and present, especially the way you contrast the emotional car scene with the flashbacks of the relationship (0:42). The structure of the story is thoughtful and the moment of deleting photos acts as a strong metaphor for letting go. Consider including reaction shots or cutaways to deepen emotional moments. For example, after the girl deletes the photos, showing her reaction would give the viewer insight into whether she wants to stay friends or is moving on for good. SOUND: Your audio is mixed appropriately. Your footage works with the music you chose. The tone of the track supports the longing and uncertainty that your visuals express. One strong moment is the beat drop at 1:20, when the screen cuts to black as the character deletes the photos. Very clever and emotional edit! In later moments, like between 1:52-2:12, consider making your visual; rhythm match the beat more tightly. Quicker cuts here could help reflect the internal distress your character is experiencing. CAMERA: You have some really interesting shots - like your shot at 3:47. I think this is well composed and well lit as we get to see the silhouette of the character on the bottom of the frame. The wide framing is also a strong visual moment and communicates separation and isolation with the physical space between the two characters. There are many shots throughout your music video that are very dark, such as at 0:25, 0:37 and 1:35. While the moody look supports the theme, the darkness often hides the character expression, which can make it difficult for the viewer to connect. Consider adding low, diffused light sources - a phone flashlight diffused with a napkin/bed sheet or a bounce card can help if you don’t have access to professional lighting gear. I really like the idea of the shot at 0:37. I would consider re-framing - try lowering the camera so that the car hood fills the top of the frame. We then get a better view of the character’s face. You have some shots like 0:54 and 1:26 that are shaky. Using a tripod, or stabilizing yourself as best as you can (like resting your arms on a surface or tucking elbows in) would help here. It’s especially important when trying to show something on a phone screen, which is hard to see with movement. LIGHTING: Your lighting creates a consistent moody atmosphere which matches the tone of the song. Your shot at 2:40 has great lighting as we clearly can see the emotions that character has on his face. However, as mentioned above, several shots (0:25, 0:37, 1:35, 2:43) are too dark to clearly see the subject, even if that was the intention. You want to maintain the mood while still allowing the audience to read expressions. There is a lighting shift from 2:40 to 2:43 which goes from well-lit to very dark - if the darker shot is intentional, maybe find a way to still show facial expressions of gestures that reveal emotion. Your shot at 3:12 has a blown-out window in the background. Try flipping your setup so that the character is facing the light source instead of being backlit. It’ll give you better, more flattering lighting on your subject’s face. EDITING: Editing choices like the photo deletion cut to black (1:20) and the split between past and present moments help the pacing feel purposeful. Again, starting your edit on the actual scene of the breakup keeps the viewer engaged. You include some great sequencing in that moment as well! The shot from 0:53 to 1:20 does linger for quite a bit. Consider cutting into multiple angles or including cutaways to break up the time visually and keep the audience engaged. As mentioned above, during 1:52-2:12, consider adding more frequent cuts or variety in shot composition - this could be things like a new angle, a slow zoom or a physical movement from the subject that reflects emotional discomfort. Overall, you’ve created a music video that is very rich and thoughtful. Your story structure shows strong storytelling characteristics. With a few tweaks in lighting, timing and framing I think you can definitely take this piece to the next level! You clearly understand how to visually show emotion - and that’s a big strength! Keep creating! I’m excited to see what you make next. Great Job!
- 2/18 11:12 am - This music video does a fantastic job of telling a story. The narrative is clear, engaging, and flows smoothly, drawing the audience in and keeping them emotionally connected to the song. The story is well supported by the visuals, which work effectively to enhance the mood and message. The storytelling aspect is definitely a strength of the video, and it’s clear that a lot of thought went into the narrative arc. One area that could be further developed is the use of depth of field. Depth of field can be a powerful tool to help guide the viewer's attention to specific subjects or moments in the video. By adjusting the focus between the foreground and background, you can create a more dynamic visual experience, highlighting key elements of the story while adding layers to the imagery. For instance, you could use a shallow depth of field to emphasize the character's emotions or interactions, while a deeper depth of field can help convey a broader sense of the environment or setting. Lighting is another area that could be enhanced to add more dimension and atmosphere to the video. Lighting can dramatically alter the tone of a scene, and experimenting with different lighting setups can help evoke a wider range of emotions. For example, using soft lighting in intimate moments could enhance a sense of vulnerability, while harsher, more dramatic lighting could amplify the intensity of certain scenes.
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