This past semester, we were lucky to partner with some local musicians on a project for our students at Content Creators Academy Jersey City. Students worked in groups to produce music videos for upcoming songs from the local artists—they wrote the scripts, made storyboards, scouted locations, set shooting schedules, and then shot, directed, and edited the music videos. This was one of the biggest projects our class undertook during the year, their final project that pulled together many of the content creation skills they’d been learning in the program. It gave them an opportunity to collaborate not only with their peers but also with other artists outside of class, to develop content they wouldn’t have been able to make on their own.
Guilty by Scion Rae. Video by Damon Guarente, Nicole Quiboloy, Gwendolyn Chung, Masai Maple.
“This song came from knowing that I don’t talk to a lot of people that I used to,” Scion Rae said about Guilty. “I almost got sad when I realized that I have less friends now. But the ones I still have are better quality friends.” The song resonated with Damon, Nicole, Gwendolyn, and Masai right away. They quickly developed their story outline—about a young man struggling to find respect within his group of friends—and had the full support of Scion Rae to tell that story in the video instead of highlighting the musician. The result is like a short film with a killer soundtrack.
Hopeless Romantic by PeteyxKraze. Video by Juan Ocampo, Selah Maple, Manveer Kaur, and Brianna Florento.
“It’s a love song that sounds like it’s about a girlfriend but really it’s about our love for music and for Jersey City. They are truly both our first loves,” said PeteyxKraze. When they first started working on the video, Juan, Selah, Manveer, and Brianna had a few ideas about how they wanted to showcase Jersey City in the video. Ultimately though they decided to keep focus on PeteyxKraze, but to shoot them in front of street art around the city, highlighting how the arts and creativity are interconnected no matter what the medium.
Hate Me by Mav. Video by Namdi Maple and Adriana Crow.
“I’m an outcast,” Mav said about her music. “Through this song I’m reflecting on how we love to try to fit in and how you have to let that go. Who I am isn’t made by what others think of me.” Namdi and Adriana worked closely with Mav on the outline for the video. They wanted to show the artist as an outcast from the people around her but also that being an outcast didn’t weaken her, that in fact it should be something to derive strength from.
We are now accepting applications for the fall semester! For more information go to CCAJC.org
