This West Side Story update is done fairly well when you consider that is is billed as an extended music video. The story is told well. There is limited dialogue and it mostly relies on the visuals to convey the narrative and Barrymore does a good job with that. However, the music video format limits the musical score to a very droll selection from one of these new dream pop bands that young americans seem to be enamored with these days. Admittedly, it is called a "music video" and it is prescribed to a certain artist or group within these parameters, but I think being that it was it was doomed from the start. Songs themselves are great and some songs tell a story. Sometimes films can enhance the stories they convey with music. But a (dull and droning) song that evokes a mood more than it tells a story paired with a story that is blatantly a retelling of a classic musical that sounds only vaguely like said song, does not a good short film make. The camera work is fairly straightforward and done well enough (close-up here, wide shot there), but it's definitely not enough to compensate for the flaws in the overall premise. This may be entertaining for some, but to a person who takes great stock in great music and great films and the marriage of the two, it will likely seem lacking in both departments.
Our Deal, directed by Drew Barrymore tells the story of two young teenagers who fall in love with each other but must keep their relationship a secret because the two are members of rival gangs. The film stars Chloe Moretz and Tyler Posey two very gifted young actors who play their roles very well. Although the film tells a specific story there is only one scene in which audio was recorded and used in the final edit. The majority of the short film uses music to support the story, which is being told entirely visually. The music fit perfectly with the mood Drew Barrymore was trying to set giving the viewer a sense of a hopeless struggle. All in all I thought the shots were beautifully executed and was cut very well.
"Our Deal" was a somewhat entertaining music video to watch, even though it did not seem like much of a music video. I did enjoy the way the video barely used dialogue because it was not needed. It did a good job of explaining the story through the camera and the way the actors reacted. The one scene with the dialogue though, did not seem very necessary. I think the message would have been received the same way without any dialogue. The camera work was also interesting since it seemed to be moving for most of the video. It still gave variety to the shots though. While this music video was not one of my favorites to watch so far, it did do a good job of visually telling the story instead of relying on dialogue to get the message across.
WWWWHHHHAAATTTTT. That was the coolest music video I have ever seen. Danny Glover was in it, which is also a rapper by the name of Childish Gambino. First of all, what amazing shots of the surrounding area, which really should you the setting. The overall feel of the video was felt in each shot's composition and lighting. The attention to detail with each gang members outfit was a nice tough as well. The shots of the break dance fight where quick but got the point across and gave you just enough of the action at hand. The guy falling off of the rough seemed like a hard shot to do, so it doesn't look silly, but I think they did it the best way they could. I like the angle's they got of the gang's they got on their way to the rumble. It really added to their ferocity. I think this is a more cleverly shot music video, it has a lot of thought and time put into it. The editing was invisible to me, which means it was perfect. Overall a wonderful video which I will share with friends.
First I will begin by saying Best Coast, is a great band. Saw them at Bonnaroo a few years ago, that girl can definitely rock and has a great voice. From the beginning seeing that in the opening credits I was very pleased. The composition of the video overall was great, I really liked how despite there being very few spoken words, the message was being told pretty clearly, whether it was spray painted out, sang thru the music, or just by body language. I liked the camera work too, with the various angles and closeups and the overall message that was being told was a pretty spot on to the classic "West Side Story". I have already shared this with a group of friends whom are around the country that I feel would appreciate this work, because it was great.
This was an interesting film because it relied heavily on the soundtrack to tell a story. The story showed clear influences from 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'West Side Story' and presents itself in "MTV style". It was shot very well and I really enjoyed the world that was created in front of the camera. I didn't like the video as whole. The pauses between each act was done with and awkward pause between songs. I believe they gave away too much as he was spray painting and it was pretty obvious that this was about to become a 'Romeo & Juliet' tragedy. I don't believe the short piece of dialogue was necessary. It took me away from the story. This short took a unique look at the ability to tell stories through music and used popular music and actors to appeal to an MTV audience.
I love this short, the Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tragedy is always a plot that has great appeal to audience. I like how the use of color of what the gangs are wearing is very significant to the story when they use warm and bright colors for the Day Trotter and cool and dark colors for the Night Creepers. The lighting was great because it was used well to contrast the two gangs, scenes that were primarily focused on the Day Trotters were lighter than the scenes with the Night Creepers. The lighting was also used in great symbolism of the couples relationship, when they were together and happy the sun was out and they seemed to be encompassed in a warm comforting glow, however during the fight when they meet it's night and cold.
This week's short was really interestingly done, as a fairly well-known story receives a modern update and twist. Although the plot was predictable, I really enjoyed seeing these famous young actors and actresses in these different roles. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the different ways Barrymore captured emotion through colors and unique shots. Also, the fight scene at the end being interpreted through more dance-like moves rather than actual combat was a really interesting take. This portrayed the same emotion and idea, yet made the scene less about gore and blood and violence, and more about the fight for love going on between our main characters. That way, when there was a real punch with real consequences, it was more impacting and shocking. The most interesting aspect of the short film to me, however, was its billing as an extended music video, yet the music was in no way the focus. The story and visual aspects were the primary show here, and the music served simply to set the mood in the background. This was a really interesting spin on a music video, because it definitely placed emphasis on the emotion and story of the song, rather than the actual singer or song. Although it was a cool idea, I'm not sure what the video really left me with in the end other than thinking "that's a cool idea" and "look at that celebrity acting all thug."
"Our Deal" was a short music video genre that I thought could be taken as a overly dramatic, narrative short. It features stars like Chloë Grace Moretz, Tyler Posey, Alia Shawkat, Miranda Cosgrove, Shailene Woodley, Donald Glover, and of course the Director, Drew Barrymore. The story line is a mix between Westside Story and Romeo and Juliet which has been over done so many times. I did, however, like that Drew Barrymore made the colors very vibrant and interesting in every scene. I felt that some parts were almost comic-like. Also, the throw down scene was done in a choreographed, danced way that helped play on with the music video aspect. The lighting differences between day and night follow through in the characters appearances as well. I feel like the music didn't hit as high as the video part actually did but the words did help play along with the narrative in the story since there wasn't any lines for the actors/actresses. Overall, it was well made but I thought it was a little too dramatic that it should have been and the storyline has been way over done for me.
This West Side Story update is done fairly well when you consider that is is billed as an extended music video. The story is told well. There is limited dialogue and it mostly relies on the visuals to convey the narrative and Barrymore does a good job with that. However, the music video format limits the musical score to a very droll selection from one of these new dream pop bands that young americans seem to be enamored with these days. Admittedly, it is called a "music video" and it is prescribed to a certain artist or group within these parameters, but I think being that it was it was doomed from the start. Songs themselves are great and some songs tell a story. Sometimes films can enhance the stories they convey with music. But a (dull and droning) song that evokes a mood more than it tells a story paired with a story that is blatantly a retelling of a classic musical that sounds only vaguely like said song, does not a good short film make. The camera work is fairly straightforward and done well enough (close-up here, wide shot there), but it's definitely not enough to compensate for the flaws in the overall premise. This may be entertaining for some, but to a person who takes great stock in great music and great films and the marriage of the two, it will likely seem lacking in both departments.
ReplyDeleteOur Deal, directed by Drew Barrymore tells the story of two young teenagers who fall in love with each other but must keep their relationship a secret because the two are members of rival gangs. The film stars Chloe Moretz and Tyler Posey two very gifted young actors who play their roles very well. Although the film tells a specific story there is only one scene in which audio was recorded and used in the final edit. The majority of the short film uses music to support the story, which is being told entirely visually. The music fit perfectly with the mood Drew Barrymore was trying to set giving the viewer a sense of a hopeless struggle. All in all I thought the shots were beautifully executed and was cut very well.
ReplyDelete"Our Deal" was a somewhat entertaining music video to watch, even though it did not seem like much of a music video. I did enjoy the way the video barely used dialogue because it was not needed. It did a good job of explaining the story through the camera and the way the actors reacted. The one scene with the dialogue though, did not seem very necessary. I think the message would have been received the same way without any dialogue. The camera work was also interesting since it seemed to be moving for most of the video. It still gave variety to the shots though. While this music video was not one of my favorites to watch so far, it did do a good job of visually telling the story instead of relying on dialogue to get the message across.
ReplyDeleteWWWWHHHHAAATTTTT. That was the coolest music video I have ever seen. Danny Glover was in it, which is also a rapper by the name of Childish Gambino. First of all, what amazing shots of the surrounding area, which really should you the setting. The overall feel of the video was felt in each shot's composition and lighting. The attention to detail with each gang members outfit was a nice tough as well. The shots of the break dance fight where quick but got the point across and gave you just enough of the action at hand. The guy falling off of the rough seemed like a hard shot to do, so it doesn't look silly, but I think they did it the best way they could. I like the angle's they got of the gang's they got on their way to the rumble. It really added to their ferocity. I think this is a more cleverly shot music video, it has a lot of thought and time put into it. The editing was invisible to me, which means it was perfect. Overall a wonderful video which I will share with friends.
ReplyDeleteFirst I will begin by saying Best Coast, is a great band. Saw them at Bonnaroo a few years ago, that girl can definitely rock and has a great voice. From the beginning seeing that in the opening credits I was very pleased. The composition of the video overall was great, I really liked how despite there being very few spoken words, the message was being told pretty clearly, whether it was spray painted out, sang thru the music, or just by body language. I liked the camera work too, with the various angles and closeups and the overall message that was being told was a pretty spot on to the classic "West Side Story". I have already shared this with a group of friends whom are around the country that I feel would appreciate this work, because it was great.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting film because it relied heavily on the soundtrack to tell a story. The story showed clear influences from 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'West Side Story' and presents itself in "MTV style". It was shot very well and I really enjoyed the world that was created in front of the camera. I didn't like the video as whole. The pauses between each act was done with and awkward pause between songs. I believe they gave away too much as he was spray painting and it was pretty obvious that this was about to become a 'Romeo & Juliet' tragedy. I don't believe the short piece of dialogue was necessary. It took me away from the story. This short took a unique look at the ability to tell stories through music and used popular music and actors to appeal to an MTV audience.
ReplyDeleteI love this short, the Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tragedy is always a plot that has great appeal to audience. I like how the use of color of what the gangs are wearing is very significant to the story when they use warm and bright colors for the Day Trotter and cool and dark colors for the Night Creepers. The lighting was great because it was used well to contrast the two gangs, scenes that were primarily focused on the Day Trotters were lighter than the scenes with the Night Creepers. The lighting was also used in great symbolism of the couples relationship, when they were together and happy the sun was out and they seemed to be encompassed in a warm comforting glow, however during the fight when they meet it's night and cold.
ReplyDeleteThis week's short was really interestingly done, as a fairly well-known story receives a modern update and twist. Although the plot was predictable, I really enjoyed seeing these famous young actors and actresses in these different roles. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the different ways Barrymore captured emotion through colors and unique shots. Also, the fight scene at the end being interpreted through more dance-like moves rather than actual combat was a really interesting take. This portrayed the same emotion and idea, yet made the scene less about gore and blood and violence, and more about the fight for love going on between our main characters. That way, when there was a real punch with real consequences, it was more impacting and shocking.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting aspect of the short film to me, however, was its billing as an extended music video, yet the music was in no way the focus. The story and visual aspects were the primary show here, and the music served simply to set the mood in the background. This was a really interesting spin on a music video, because it definitely placed emphasis on the emotion and story of the song, rather than the actual singer or song. Although it was a cool idea, I'm not sure what the video really left me with in the end other than thinking "that's a cool idea" and "look at that celebrity acting all thug."
"Our Deal" was a short music video genre that I thought could be taken as a overly dramatic, narrative short. It features stars like Chloë Grace Moretz, Tyler Posey, Alia Shawkat, Miranda Cosgrove, Shailene Woodley, Donald Glover, and of course the Director, Drew Barrymore. The story line is a mix between Westside Story and Romeo and Juliet which has been over done so many times. I did, however, like that Drew Barrymore made the colors very vibrant and interesting in every scene. I felt that some parts were almost comic-like. Also, the throw down scene was done in a choreographed, danced way that helped play on with the music video aspect. The lighting differences between day and night follow through in the characters appearances as well. I feel like the music didn't hit as high as the video part actually did but the words did help play along with the narrative in the story since there wasn't any lines for the actors/actresses. Overall, it was well made but I thought it was a little too dramatic that it should have been and the storyline has been way over done for me.
ReplyDelete