Braver Than Yesterday - ID# 564
Richards High School
Seven Day Challenge
Entry Description
Charlie is forced to face his fears of asking for help and setting boundries when it comes to his work-life balance.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
Judge 1
Positives: Editing and cinematography are strong. Lighting and sound are consistent and show a solid understanding of visual storytelling. The mirror shots are executed well and anchor the narrative in an interesting way.
Improvements: This would benefit from a score or soundtrack just to add texture to the imagery. There are also moments when we could add more conflict to the story. What other deadlines is this character facing? Really pile it on so we room for them.
Judge 2
Positives: Story: Charlie, under the immense pressure of an increasing workload and imposing deadlines, overcomes social anxiety to ask for a helping hand. Overall, the story comes through clear. The mirror is a fun device for exploring his inner thoughts and landing the internal debate going on in his head.
Improvements: A few audio blips here and there, but overall, nothing super distracting technically. I’m gonna push on the “overcoming anxiety” moment, since that’s the emotional hinge of the piece. It feels a little straightforward since he does it on his first try. Even just a brief hesitation- turning back and walking away, steadying himself and trying again- would help ground the character and make his success feel earned.
Judge 3
Positives: Your story is very effective and held my interest throughout the entire video. The intentional repetition was a strong creative choice. It reinforced the narrative and helped deepen the impact of the story. The pacing and editing were also well executed, keeping the project moving at a steady and engaging rhythm. I especially appreciated how the camera angles reflected the emotional state of the main character. That added a thoughtful visual layer to the storytelling. The split-screen technique worked extremely well, and each interaction between the main character and their mirrored self was carefully crafted and compelling to watch. Overall, this is a strong and thoughtfully constructed piece.
Improvements: The audio needs some refinement to create a more consistent listening experience. If the levels in the mirror scenes feel right, try raising the audio in the other scenes where characters are interacting so everything matches more evenly. In the library scene, there’s a noticeable imbalance. The main character comes through more strongly than the other two. So adjusting those levels would help create better clarity and cohesion. Another area to explore is color correction. Depending on the software you’re using, look for tools that can enhance and balance your image. Adjustments like Curves or Vibrance can help bring out the natural colors that were present when you shot the footage, giving your project a more polished and professional look.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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