Chicago native Common, the iconic rapper, actor, and social activist, has deep artistic and spiritual connections to his second home of New York City. It was here that he chose to rehearse and record at Q Studios in Queens. The performance was deeply intimate, requiring visually captivating footage that truly captured Common in the moment.
During the tumultuous period when Black Lives Matter was front and center, Common reflected on the legacy and memories of those whose lives have been taken by racial violence.
Through monologues and musical performances, Common recollected his childhood encounter with the ghost of Emmett Till. In the tunnels below the Chicago Bulls stadium, Emmett’s haunting voice was a call to action that those of us with voices – those of us alive – owe it to the victims of racial violence to say their names and never forget. Colored by his lived experience, his message was clear: “Use your voice to help others get out of their own tunnels.”
Sensitive shooting takes skill and years of experience. Introducing a camera crew without upsetting the flow of Common’s team while simultaneously capturing the essence of his creative process would be the key to the success of the project.
A decade of shooting documentaries made director and DP Jamie Morris the perfect person for the job.
The footage and Common’s performance speak volumes.
On the post-production side, editor Alex Quade’s edit, color, and sound mix highlight an intimate lyric-style performance video, with animation to round out the stories.
