Geneva Club Music Video Pre-Production
Intentions:
In line with the overall theme of our project, this film aims to visually prioritize the narratives of black people themselves in the analysis and retelling of 1741 New York slave conspiracy. While it is evident that this can be done through the medium of academic prose and creative writing (as has been the primary content of our class), we feel it is important to expand this narrative across even more mediums, such as music and video (and potentially acting). It is clear that these mediums are underrepresented in this field of study (just as the narratives of the slaves themselves), and so should be included in our multi-media representation of events, as it is apparent than different mediums prompt a variety of different responses in their audience. Overall, we hope to reach a wider audience through our approach, allowing others the ability to connect with the narrative through various forms of creative/academic work.
Execution:
Option A - A contemporary dramatization of the rap lyrics (*see Shot List).
This would consist of a linear narrative in which Caeser, Prince and Cuffee are situated in the present time period. Their dress and actions would reflect this, as would their interactions with the white men in the narrative. Over the course of the music video, they would sneak into the building (representing their stealing of the gin in Lepore's text) and proceed to "dress up like the white folks," in order to subvert their authority, until they are shut down by the police. Their obvious enjoyment of the adventure up until this point would demonstrate their own form of everyday resistance, as Geordie describes in his essay.
Option B - A fast-paced montage consisting entirely of relevant archival footage.
In drawing parallels between past and present events, this approach aims to give the 1741 narrative a contemporary context with additional political and social weight. By researching and compiling footage from past social conflicts, as well as contemporary protests, such as Black Lives Matter, this allows the viewer to relate to the content on a more intimate level. By illustrating the changing (and in some way, unchanging) nature of black and white race relations in the United States, this film would hopefully encouraging viewers to learn more about the past in order to understand the present situation.
This page has paths:
- 1741 New York Conspiracy Overview Jo Howard
