Conceptual Lyric Music Video for Weeping by Bright Blue
For this project, my task was to create a lyric music video for a local song of my choice, illustrating the lyrics of at least one verse and the song's chorus for an estimated length of 1-2 minutes.
I chose Weeping, as the song has a strong identity within South African history, and I felt it would be intriguing to attempt a music video for a song released in the 1980s utilizing the contemporary tools we have today.
I chose Weeping, as the song has a strong identity within South African history, and I felt it would be intriguing to attempt a music video for a song released in the 1980s utilizing the contemporary tools we have today.
Key Research - Origins of Weeping
Written by Dan Heyman and recorded by Bright Blue in 1987, Weeping was released as a protest song. It spoke against the state of the country at the time under the influence of the Apartheid government, including various massacres that occurred during this time.
It was released after the 1985 State of Emergency, which initiated a widespread detainment of active protestors and organizations supporting the movement to put a stop to Apartheid.
As such it is often considered to be a response to this event in South African history.
“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.”
-George Santayana
-George Santayana
Weeping as a song delivers an important message regarding the type of struggle during Apartheid era South Africa.
It is about the demonization of a people who are only desperate to live a decent life without constant discrimination or facing a threat to their safety purely because of their racial or cultural identity.
This message is applicable to today, the same narratives used to defend the National Party of South Africa of their atrocities, are being employed to defend Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud political party of their atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank.
Despite the public outcry of old anti-apartheid activists, and many countries including South Africa itself, the UN and the international powers capable of stopping the genocide stand idle.
Despite the public outcry of old anti-apartheid activists, and many countries including South Africa itself, the UN and the international powers capable of stopping the genocide stand idle.
Goals for this Lyric Video:
To create a video for TikTok, the most popular form of social media among my generation, so that the message of Weeping does not end up forgotten.
Thus, I formatted the video to be the appropriate 9:16 aspect ratio used for TikTok.
I also made use of a self made mockup, which blocked out the areas where the TikTok UI would have been. This way I could be certain no important visuals were blocked.
To draw links between the leadership and contexts of Apartheid South Africa, and Apartheid Israel, so that the message can be understood as a critique of both.
To call out the international community, as their non-interference policy has left blood on their hands, and is a policy that lacks humanity in a situation such as this.
Particularly referencing the UN and their security council that repeatedly failed to reach a vote for a ceasefire.
Particularly referencing the UN and their security council that repeatedly failed to reach a vote for a ceasefire.
Reinforce the message that the people of Palestine are not villains, instead they are victims who are weeping from the death and destruction that has been inflicted upon them as a people.
