Creating a music video is always an exciting journey, but working on "My Son" was a great experience that took me deep into storytelling and dived right into our artist’s heart. It's a heartfelt message from a father to his son, filled with love, memories, and personal reflections. Here’s a glimpse into the creative process that brought this poignant story to life.
The Vision: A Personal Message
I don't have any children of my own but growing up around desi culture has taught me many things about parenting and what it means to be a good child. It was clear that "My Son" was more than just a song—it was a piece of the artist's soul. I love Hip Hop/Rap like this. This has weight and meaning. I believe it moves through the air with more presence than traditional pop music. I wanted the audience to feel the depth of the artist's message from a rap artist's point of view and the significance of the message he was conveying. growing up in a similar area to JB in Birmingham is a blessing in disguise, even though it was a tough childhood growing up. We both understand the nuances in the performance visual and aesthetics.
Creative Choices: Nostalgia and Authenticity
To capture the essence of this deeply personal message, we decided to weave in old footage and VHS effects, Who doesn't love that? These elements were crucial in evoking a sense of nostalgia, drawing viewers back to simpler times and cherished memories. We used old footage of his child, when he was born, walking in JB's old house and playing int the park. When we use core memories...REAL core memories the song changes completely into something greater to myself and JB. Each frame was a window into the past, making the connection between father and son feel timeless and real and even after the first drafts we agreed that there needed to be more memories involved. I decided to make a short animation. A polaroid table to represent the memories laid out for us as the audience to get a glimpse into his world. This was the turning point in the music video which the editing process changed. The direction of the video took the shape of "memories" "looking forward" and "inner dialogue".
Spotlight on Emotion
Another significant choice was the use of a spotlight to emphasize that this was not just a performance but a direct message to the artist’s son. I loved the idea that this is a direct message to his son and JB represent many other fathers in the world where they can resonate with the message. The spotlight created a theatrical atmosphere, drawing all attention to the artist and his delivery. It underscored the importance of the moment, making it clear that every word spoken was meant to resonate deeply.
Visual Representation: Mind and Soul
We aimed to represent the artist’s inner world through visual effects. The glow effect became a symbolic representation of his thoughts and emotions. It added a dreamlike quality to the video, suggesting that viewers were getting a glimpse into the artist’s mind and soul. This ethereal glow helped bridge the gap between reality and imagination, making the personal message even more impactful.
Behind the Lens: Capturing Genuine Moments
Working on "My Son" required a balance of technical precision and emotional sensitivity. We spent countless hours selecting the perfect footage, adjusting the VHS effects to achieve just the right level of nostalgia, and fine-tuning the glow to ensure it complemented rather than overshadowed the artist’s performance. Every decision was made with the intent to honour the artist’s vision and make the audience feel the love and dedication poured into this project.
The Final Cut: A Tribute & Important Message
The result is a music video that not only showcases the technical and creative capabilities but also stands as a heartfelt tribute from a father to his son. "My Son" is a testament to the power of music and visuals in conveying profound personal messages. It’s a reminder of why we love, serve and protect the people around us—transforming raw emotion into music into visuals. The art that touches the hearts of many.
I'm incredibly proud of "My Son" and grateful for the opportunity to work on such a meaningful project. It’s projects like these that remind me of the true power of storytelling in music, and we hope that viewers will feel the love and connection that inspired every frame.
We look forward to sharing more of our creative journeys with you. Thanks for reading!
Take it easy.
VJ
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