Higher Ground - ID# 52
Maine South
Music Video
Entry Description
A group of teens come together to advocate for the changing global climate.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/21 11:40 am - STORY: The story is clear, structured, and meaningful. Each scene leads to the next with purpose and intention. I especially appreciate the juxtaposition between the singing/guitar scenes and the more intense visuals. I think this pacing really allows the viewers to process the weight of what they’re seeing while staying connected to the core message of your music video! SOUND: Your audio is mixed appropriately. I think your use of sound design is a big strength in this piece. The soundbites from news clips (0:45) and the protest add realism and urgency to the story. In the protest sequence, consider letting the audience clearly hear one or two protest chants not in slow motion (especially around 2:56). That little audio clarity could emotionally connect the audience much more to the characters and their voices. CAMERA: Your camera works shows confidence and creativity. The pan at 1:52 is well done - it’s a great way to reveal a group of students and make the cause feel larger than just one person. You also do a great job of using the camera to establish group action! LIGHTING: The overall yellow hue and warmer tones across your video give it a “smoggy”, hazy aesthetic, which definitely supports the tone and message. If this was intentional (which it feels like), it’s very well done! EDITING: Your editing is very well thought out. From 0:29, 1:42 and 1:45, your inclusion of stop motion and animation adds a variety of visuals and really draws the viewer in. The sequencing from 2:05 to 2:09, where you cut on the beat and reveal more students joining in on bikes is very clever! You’ve created a music video that is not only artistically powerful but also socially powerful.Your use of mixed media and editing technique show a strong sense of filmmaking craft. Keep creating - you’re doing amazing work!
- 2/18 11:19 am - This music video is creative and well done, with a clear sense of direction and purpose throughout. One of the standout elements is the pacing and editing, which is skillfully aligned with the tempo of the music. The transitions between shots and the rhythm of the edits flow smoothly, making the video visually engaging while ensuring it complements the energy and mood of the track. The editing is tight, and the use of pacing really helps to build the tension and emotion of the song, maintaining a dynamic energy that holds the viewer's attention. I especially appreciated the dynamic contrast between the moments where the subject is immersed in the music and the scenes where she is watching the music video on her phone. This narrative choice creates an interesting layer of depth, as we see the character experience the song first from an external perspective and then become a part of the video herself. The transformation from viewer to participant is seamless and visually compelling, effectively blurring the line between the digital world and reality. It gives the audience a sense of connection to the character's emotional journey, making the overall video feel more intimate and engaging. The inclusion of news reports and audio adds another layer to the story, enhancing the overall atmosphere and giving the video a sense of relevance and urgency. The audio elements are well integrated, making the viewer feel like they're getting a snapshot of the world within the narrative, while the news reports provide an additional dimension to the visuals. This is further emphasized by the use of pollution-themed footage, which serves as a powerful commentary and adds a social, reflective element to the video. The original version of the song woven into these clips elevates the message, tying together the visuals, audio, and theme in a meaningful way. The way you combined these various elements—news reports, environmental footage, and the transition from the character watching the video to becoming part of it—creates a unique and thought-provoking music video. The editing is smooth, the pacing is spot-on, and the creativity shines through in both the visuals and the storytelling. This is a powerful, engaging video that not only entertains but also makes a statement. Overall, it's a very creative and well-executed music video. You've managed to craft a visually interesting, dynamic narrative while effectively conveying deeper themes through your choice of visuals and audio. The result is a video that stands out and keeps the viewer engaged from start to finish. Great job—this is a fantastic example of how to blend creativity with social commentary and narrative cohesion!
Judge 1
Positives: The editing rhythm at the top is exciting. The entire video moves well and the story is solid.
Improvements: There are issues of intonation with the singer. Most DAWs have post-recording tuning capabilities. Why the time code? Needs color grading.
Judge 2
Positives: There is a lot to like about this video. It held my attention throughout, largely because of the variety of shots and set ups, and the excellent A-roll and B-roll performance by the lead artist. I especially loved the Trump Tower climbing shots and how they were composited and edited. The editing was top-notch, and portions of the video with its super-impositions felt like 70s experimental videos, which is appropriate given the videos throwback call to action and choice of song.
Improvements: This is a really minor thing, and I wish I could just ding one point instead of two for this, but I was really distracted by the timecode graphic. It popped up a lot, and was featured prominently. But I just didn't get why it was going up, and what the significance of it was. Shouldn't it have been a countdown to some sort of crisis or doomsday, and so the numbers should have been going down?
Judge 3
Positives: The wide shot at 00:27 is extremely creative and professional. (with the added jump cut). The jump cuts in the classroom while everyone is reading is super creative. I would have loved to see more of the bike scene. That was by far the strongest scene in addition to the wide shot, and adds to the story in a really powerful way.
Improvements: One thing you can think about that would add to the story of this video in particular is the colors in the video. I would have liked to see more greens, blues, and earthly colors. Color adds to story also. The cuts to the b-roll of climate change is cool to get the story across, but I think why the large green grass field worked is because you're showing us (grass, leaves trees) instead of showing the story in a destructive way. Showing us the beauty of the earth > showing us destruction.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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