Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Solange’s Weary Music Video Short Film/Treatment.

March 20, 2017 by  
Filed under Ent., Music, News, Opinion, Politics, Weekly Columns

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(ThyBlackMan.com) From Mother to Son, my mum would often say: “nothing beats a failure but a try”, below is my attempt at trying to get Solange to consider shooting my Music Video treatment for her song Weary. Check it out.

The subtle yet meditative vibe of Solange’s Weary inspired me to write the following short film/music video treatment, after spending some time with her Grammy award winning “A Seat at the Table” album whilst riding the subway back and forth from Brooklyn to graduate school in Manhattan. Solange’s gift to simplify her prose provides room for various visual interpretations; nonetheless, I was possessed with a vision of Solange as a political activist who pseudo dresses like a man in effort to run for the highest office in America; But not before she overcomes her arch-nemesis. The question I am posing in the treatment is: Apart from systemic prejudices, how does each man/woman thwart change/growth in him/herself and therefore thwart change/growth in present-day America?

Brief synopsis: Campaigning to become the first African American female president, Solange is assassinated in this music video and here’s how it unfolds:

It’s night.

A jitney nearly rides the curb of a southern motel plastered with Solange’s campaign poster that reads: “we all belong”. The trunk pops open and the driver hops out to retrieve her garment bag; then he lets her out of the door; but when the driver moves in to escort Solange into the motel she refuses his assistance and the driver stands down as,

Solange tightens the belt on her ankle length masculine trench coat; then she proceeds to climb the motel’s grim staircase, whilst driver looks on from the jitney as Solange disappears to the top of the staircase alone.

At the door of her motel room there is a Basquiat crown drawn in blood red paint accented with the letter X, a death threat; but Solange does not cease for a moment of peril; she merely fishes for her room key, discovers it, and proceeds to open the door.

When the door shuts behind her, Solange surveys the room to discover tea candles burning low atop of a desk where a photograph of her present-day self is central, a vigil almost. Solange blows out the tea candles as she shuts on a bedside lamp to reveal the apparently apolitical version of herself fast asleep in bed.

High beams flash through the window from the jitney downstairs, a ritual; and Solange makes her way to the door; But when she opens the door there is no Basquiat crown, only her garment bag now hangs from the knob. She retrieves the garment bag and turns back into the room to discover no trace of the tea candles, the photograph, or the apolitical Solange. In fact, the room has been made up as expected.

Solange goes to hang her garment bag in the closet and a noose hangs from the rack. She blinks and the noose disappears. Solange hangs her garment bag, a moment of retreat from the visions in her mind. At last, Solange removes her trench coat to reveal the West African regalia of the Orisha, Oya, goddess of wind and storms.

It’s dusk,

and Solange has fallen asleep in her regal regalia, a political warrior (activist).

At sunrise, again apolitical Solange reappears and watches present day Solange paint her face at the desk/vanity; and when present day Solange is made up, she fastens her crisp white button up to the neck and proceeds to tie a red presidential tie whilst apolitical Solange escapes her reflection in the mirror b.g., a vision.

At last Solange goes to the closet to remove a dark masculine blazer from her garment bag; she puts it on whilst noticing her trench coat has gone missing, as the now naked hanger dangles from the rack to suggest it was violently snatched down a moment ago. She blinks but the trench coat does not reappear.

Now fully dressed in a well tailored man’s suit, Solange moves to the door and opens the blinds to reveal a podium/microphone has been erected on the balcony overlooking a large crowd of colorful moving people. The door slides open; as an Angela Davis like figure steps to the podium; the crowd roars as she introduces Solange, who stands by, a real presidential figure surrounded by female guards.

A smile breaks through Solange’s peril a moment as she scans her audience of supporters to discover her nemesis, the apolitical version of herself, roaming the crowd in her present day trench coat, a chameleon almost. At last the Angela Davis like figure out stretches her arm to formally welcome Solange to the podium; and apolitical Solange pulls a gun from the trench coat and points upward at Solange as she steps up to the microphone. Black out.

I hope you enjoyed my vision; And if you think Solange should consider shooting the video, help me get her attention and social share the treatment.

Writers Guild of America Registered.

Follow Tylie on Instagram; http://Instagram.com/theplaywright (——–

Staff Writer; Tylie Shider

Also connect with this brother over at; TylieShider.com.

 


Comments

5 Responses to “Solange’s Weary Music Video Short Film/Treatment.”
  1. MoufMag says:

    This treatment is crazy!!! It provides a visual of prosperity and forward movement, revolution, evolution, pain, fear, rebellion, pride and pretty much illustrates the emotion, tension and direction in which our country is headed. This treatment should be chosen for this song for multiple reasons; including the fact that Solange is not only a creative soul but also a mother. I am not yet a mother and can relate to the love, uncertainty and hope illustrated in this treatment. This treatment exemplifies all that equality is should represent; equal opportunity.

  2. GUNPLAYS – A SERIES OF PLAYS TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE GUN VIOLENCE PLAGUE

    THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY TO PRESENT
    “THE FACULTY ROOM” BY WILLIAM ELECTRIC BLACK
    Fourth in his GUNPLAYS series, this immersive drama
    swallows its audience into a schoolhouse in a hard lockdown:
    an experience your children have probably been drilling for.

    WHERE AND WHEN
    April 13 to 30, 2017
    Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. (at E. 10th Street)
    Presented by Theater for the New City
    Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sundays at 3:00 PM
    $15 general admission, $12 Seniors/Students, $10 groups
    Box office (212) 254-1109, http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net
    Group sales: Alex Santullo (212) 475-0108
    Play’s website: http://www.gunplays.org
    Running time 85 min. Critics are invited on or after April 13.

    NEW YORK, February 19 — Baby Boomers had nuclear air raid drills in school that stamped their souls with the realization that death is always close by. Their children now have lockdown drills, rehearsing what to do when a shooter is on the loose in the school. A nuclear attack never materialized (at least, not yet), but the present generation has Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech and a host of other massacres to remind them of their own mortality. The hard lockdown–when an imminent danger is known–is an unforgettable rite of passage for many people, and it is the setting of “The Faculty Room,” the newest play by William Electric Black that is the fourth in his GUNPLAYS series. Theater for the New City will present its world premiere run April 13 to 30, directed by the author.

    In this play, the faculty members of James Baldwin High School have found themselves in a mandatory lock down because two star players on the girls’ basketball team have quarreled over a lover. Their argument has escalated to armed conflict because of the prevalence of guns in the school. Huddled together in the faculty room are the three women and a man. There is the middle-aged female security guard aims to manage the crisis with authority. The girls’ phys ed teacher/basketball coach, who grew up in the neighborhood, has confiscated a pistol from one of her star hoopsters just the day before. The perky, idealistic teaching artist is relishing her first inner city teaching gig, hoping to inspire teens who have lost their way, lost their dreams, and lost family members. Finally, there is Mr. Cutter, a history teacher in his sunset years, who has taught his students that the epidemic of gun violence is just that, a disease.

  3. Nelson Hernandez says:

    I have seen Tylie progress so much through out his life and career. He is a hard worker and dedicated to his craft/art. This concept is amazing and his eye for detail is second to none. This needs to be seen by many. Great job brother!

  4. Courtney says:

    Powerful message. Great work!

  5. Devante says:

    The concepts and imagery are incredible! I think the metaphors and allusions to tropes of celebrity and politics are innovative.

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