Upward Social Comparison: The Envious Mind Unveiled
Written by Sam Chang
November 23, 2023
Target Audience: Teenagers/students in the competitive
educational system, teachers, parents, and social media users
Voice Gender/Age: Unlimited, preferably more than 10 to adults
with enough experience
Direction Notes: The documentary aims to capture the
audience’s attention by showing relatable scenarios of upward
social comparison, emphasizing the emotional impact on
individuals and relationships. Ensure a smooth transition
between interviews, real-life situations, and expert insights.
Find a balance between visually interesting content and
informative narration to connect with the targeted audience.
SCENE VIDEO AUDIO
1: B-Roll: Wide shot of Audio:
Introduction a busy school Normal and clear, “In
hallway. the world of constant
comparison…”
B-Roll: Close-up
shots of students Background Music:
looking at their Neutral (a little
phones. upbeat)
https://youtu.be/G2P5Kz
B-Roll: Close-up shot JnA0A
of test papers with
different grades. The Sound Effect: Phone
scene then fades out. notification sounds and
the sound of holding
paper sheets.
2: Victim 1 A-Roll: Interview Background music: Turns
Sophia’s clips of victim 1, a to a more reflective
Story teenage girl named tone, muting the sound
Sophia, sharing her to merge well with the
experiences about how speaking volume.
she felt envious when (https://youtu.be/RnRZ_
she scrolled through DXipgo)
Instagram and
Facebook and realized
how perfect and
amazing others are,
such as dressing up
beautifully and
having unique skills
and talents.
3: Inner Mind B-Roll: Real-life Audio: Delving into
zoom-in of Sophia Sophia’s inner mind.
watching short clips
on social media one
after another
unconsciously,
feeling the people
are so beautiful and
amazing.
4: Influence A-Roll: Then, Sophia Background Music:
on Friend and will discuss her Continue with the
Family feelings and reflective tone, muting
Relationships attitudes toward her the sound, which merges
classmates and family well with the speaking
after she gained envy volume.
and jealousy from (https://youtu.be/RnRZ_
social media. For DXipgo)
example, being more
alone and constantly
watching and
observing the person
she admires only
keeps her thoughts in
mind. Therefore, her
interpersonal
relationships were
negatively affected,
and she rarely talked
to her family about
what happened.
5:Real-life B-Roll: Ambient Audio:
Effect on Real-life capture of Classmates chatting and
Sophia Sophia silently laughing beside her,
sitting in the creating a strong
classroom, holding comparison.
her phone, looking
with some depression Background music: Sad,
and low self-esteem. emotional, and
depressed. It will
B-Roll: The scene decrease its volume
shifts to Sophia when it gets to the
looking unhappy and part where the
ignoring what her characters are talking.
family members ask (https://youtu.be/NRv3B
about her. The scene F1_Ruw)
fades out.
Audio: Mom and Dad,
“Sweetie, how’s your
day? You look unhappy…
(concerned) Tell me
what happened!”
“No response.”
Narrator, “Silence
hangs in the air,
tension continues.”
6: Victim 2 A-Roll: Interview Audio: Narrator, “While
Jack’s Story clips of victim 2, a another boy, Jack,
teenage boy Jack, encounters a different
talking about situation…”
studying in a high
school with high Background music: Turns
pressure and academic to more upbeat and
competition. In builds tension.
particular, he finds (https://youtu.be/J7IAN
it unfair when he 8j08O8)
receives his test
paper and realizes
others always get
higher grades than
him.
B-Roll: Close-up
shots of Jack having
tests, practicing the
questions repeatedly,
and studying
diligently.
7:Inner Mind B-Roll: Audio: Delving into
Real-life shots of Jack’s inner mind.
Jack receiving his
test paper after a Background music: Sad,
math exam. He only emotional, and
got 70, but he saw depressed.
others getting 95, (https://youtu.be/NRv3B
and he felt F1_Ruw)
frustrated with
himself, doubting if
he should give up.
8:Real-life B-Roll: Real-life Background music: Sad,
Effect on shots of Jack finding emotional, and
Jack himself useless in depressed music
the classroom but continues.
pretending nothing
happened when his Audio: Jack (doubtful,
friends ask him what talking to himself),
is happening. “Why can’t I keep up
with others!? Am I not
B-Roll: Real-life born to be a good
shots of Jack hiding student?”
inside his bedroom
long after returning
home from school,
putting all the
faults on himself.
The scene fades out.
9: Turning A-Roll: Sophia and Audio: Narrator,”
Point (Meet Jack have an Sophia’s and Jack’s
With interview with a parents and teachers
Psychologist) professional eventually find they
psychologist on the have acted and behaved
upward social much differently than
comparison issue they before. Therefore, they
encounter. held a mental
counseling session with
a psychologist.”
Psychologist,” Everyone
is unique, and you do
not have to compare
yourself to others, OK?
Maybe you will have
some unique talents
that others do not
possess, which you
should be proud of! Be
confident, and don't
let doubts and
weaknesses confine your
superpower!”
Background music: More
hopeful, optimistic,
and energetic. Adjust
the volume and timing
to match with the
speaking.
(https://youtu.be/LQU2p
lvgMtI)
10: Text: Studies have Background music: Soft
Conclusion shown that 62% of and calm without many
people experience up-and-down tones.
feelings of
inadequacy and envy
when comparing
themselves to others
on social media.
Text: “Comparison is
the most poisonous
element in the human
heart because it
destroys ingenuity
and robs peace and
joy.” — Euginia
Herlihy
(Final impression on
the audience as
ending)
(Fades out)
11: Credits Text: Background Music:
Director: Sam Hopeful, optimistic,
Producer: Sam and energetic music
Editor: Sam continues.
Actor/Actress:
(Characters’ names)
Music Sources:
(Citations)
