Pushing AI Boundaries in Music Video Art
When I first set out on my journey as a musician, I envisioned a life dedicated to sound and music. While that remains at the core of what I do, creating the video for Smokestack Blues has been a whole new kind of exploration, one where technology and artistry blend to shape something unique and intensely personal. This project has demanded not only musical creativity but also deep dives into emerging tech—AI, advanced editing, and a host of visual tools that have allowed me to bring The Shadowmaker’s aesthetic world to life in surprising ways.
A Journey Through Tech and Artistry
I’ve been a Photoshop ninja for years, ever since I started landscape photography. But with Smokestack Blues, I’ve upped my game in Adobe Premiere and ventured into the worlds of Midjourney and Runway to develop the stylistic language of the entire Shadowmaker project. My aim was to craft something that speaks visually to the raw, gritty feel of the music. Every element—from the lighting and shadows to the intricate movement of animated details—was carefully curated to echo the intense, shadowed atmosphere of the song.
This project wasn’t just about creating images; it was about using AI to develop and refine the visual language of the video. Through tools like Midjourney, I could shape specific design concepts and stylistic references that stayed consistent across every frame. From there, Runway became a powerful ally in transforming static images into dynamic sequences, allowing each moment to flow in sync with the beat and mood of the track.
Technical Magic in Performance
One of the most fascinating aspects of the video is the chorus. For those sections, I filmed myself singing at my studio desk, capturing the raw intensity I wanted to convey. Then, with a bit of digital trickery, I “re-skinned” myself to present an androgynous, almost otherworldly character. By re-gendering and transforming my appearance, I was able to merge human performance with a layered AI aesthetic that’s both captivating and surreal. It was a thrilling way to expand my creative expression, pushing both personal and technical boundaries to achieve a unique and emotive result.
The Heart of The Shadowmaker Project
In every frame, I’ve aimed to stay true to The Shadowmaker’s vision—a shadowed, cinematic journey that’s as much about visual storytelling as it is about music. The creative process behind Smokestack Blues has pushed me to become a social media strategist, video editor, AI aficionado, and animator, expanding what’s possible for an independent artist today. And the result, I hope, speaks not only to the song itself but to the evolving world of creativity where art and technology converge.