HAVE YOU LOOKED UP TODAY?
Brief: Create a music video with a dynamic value change.
Project: A short film exploring tech addiction in the age of endless scrolling.
Approximately 48% of the global population is addicted to their phones. Whether it’s the instant gratification of likes, the infinite scroll of content, or the ease of staying connected, many of us are glued to our devices. But what happens when we zoom out — and realize what we’re missing?
This short film is a visual narrative of doom scrolling and the quiet grip technology holds on us.
This was our first group project in the program, and to be honest, I was hesitant at first. A narrative music video? It sounded a little cheesy, and I didn’t have much video production experience. But once I started observing how many people in my new city seemed totally absorbed by their phones, I felt inspired to explore that story.
We decided to depict addiction through routine. Given our limited time and resources, we leaned into repetition — both visually and thematically — to show the monotony and disconnection that can come from constant screen use. We also embedded subliminal messaging in the background through a recurring poster that our main character walks by: "Have You Looked Up Today? Are You Okay?"
Working closely with our Director of Photography, the two of us developed the shot list and storyboard to shape how we wanted the story to unfold. It was through this project that I truly learned the importance of a well-organized and detailed production plan, especially when working under time constraints and with limited resources. The final result resonated with our classmates and was nominated “Best Music Video” by our cohort.
Role: Director & Producer
Team Members: Fatima Dzahafarova, Ignacio Gutierrez, Tia Botros & Miss Mela Habijan