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SHORT FILM

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ROTOSCOPING     ANIMATION     VIDEO EDITING  

THE PROBLEM

Ralph Rabie, better known as Johannes Kerkorrel, a South African singer and songwriter, took his own life 20 years ago. He was a member of a revolutionary movement of alternative Afrikaans artists who changed the way young Afrikaans people viewed the apartheid regime. This incredible rock and pop artist hasn’t received the commemoration that he deserved.

THE BRIEF

The brief was to create a one-minute short film commemorating Johannes Kerkorrel's music and life. Taking a section of one of his songs and transforming it into a celebratory piece in any medium, focusing on style, tone, mood, and art direction, with emphasis on storyboards and style frames during the production process.

THE SOLUTION

A rotoscope depicting the powerful message behind Johannes Kerkorrel's song Blou Aarde. It speaks of how humans have destroyed the world through greed and war, with the hope that humans will unite in peace and put our differences aside. It consists of 720 frames drawn in various shades of blue coupled with the song's beautiful interlude.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Johannes Kerkorrel's family, friends, and fans.

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SONG LYRICS

BLOU AARDE

Hier stap ons nou
In die voetspore van die brontosaurus
Hier oor die woestyne
Waar een tyd oerwoud was

Kan jy sien hoe ver het ons gekom
In die sirkels van die tyd
Met ons medaljes en ons wonde
Stap ons oor die drumpel uit
Ongeskonde

En die wêreld is 'n groot blou bal
Wat stil
Deur die ruimte val
En ek en jy is kinders
Wees is ons gelaat
En soms vir 'n oomblik
Kan ons mekaar se taal
Verstaan

Niks kan die oorlog keer nie
Niks kan teen sy mag marsjeer nie, hy
Trek 'n hakekruis
En sy maak haar hare los

Hy het 'n hamer en 'n sekel
En sy dans in die sandwoestyn
En ons streel met ons blote hande
Oor die eindelose sand
Onverbonde

En die wêreld is 'n groot blou bal
Wat stil deur die ruimte val
En ek en jy is kinders
Wees is ons gelaat
En soms vir 'n oomblik
Kan ons mekaar se taal weer praat

En eendag sal dit beter wees
Eendag sal ons wel verstaan
Waarom mense soms so wreed kan wees
Net om soms weer
Soveel meer te gee

En die wêreld is 'n groot blou bal
Wat stil deur die ruimte val
En ek en jy is kinders
Wees is ons gelaat
En soms vir 'n oomblik
Kan ons mekaar se taal voorstaan

Soms vir 'n oomblik
Kan ons mekaar se taal weer praat

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THE CONCEPT

The song has a sad tone that is expressed through the various shades of blue, which pairs well with the song's title, 'Blue Earth.' The song is conveyed through a series of crayon stroke drawings. This suggests that the issues of war and injustice are not limited to adults' experiences. Instead of the song's lyrics, this all-encompassing rotoscope relies on symbolism and visual storytelling. It is a global translation of the song.

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STORYBOARD

SYMBOLISM

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THE AGE OF TIME

MISDIRECTION

THE APARTHEID REGIME

THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA

CHANGE

PEACE

WAR

SOUTH AFRICAN BEAUTY

TOXIC BARRIERS

UNITED

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THE FILM