Living Dead in D.C. (Patreon Exclusive)
Added 2023-09-25 16:18:07 +0000 UTCHello Patrons!
October Project 2023 is nearly upon us, and to help make up for the radio silence over the past weeks, I've decided to release song #1 a week early exclusively for patrons.
*Disregard if you would like to experience the authentic October release with all of the non-patron plebeians!*
This one is radically different from all of the other October songs. It's pretty different than most of my songs in general, but there are some similarities to SWORDS and some (M)SOTC.
Literally couldn't have done this video without the help of Rachel (Prevails) from the UK. There is indeed a craft to creating captivating visuals using AI and Rachel is a testament to that. She is responsible for 95% of the nightmare fuel you see in this video!
I know there is a lot of debate on whether AI should be used in creating art and I think those concerns are valid. The reason I think it was the right choice for this video is because of its inherent nightmare aesthetic. The goal was to lean in to the uncanniness of AI rather than try to replicate something a human could do.
I'm sure this song will be controversial for a slew of reasons, but I hope you all recognize my intent is to satirize a serious systemic issue using horror motifs and I truly mean no disrespect to all of our elders who are not actively contributing toward the destruction of our planet.
Buckle up!
Nick
Comments
Well, Diane Feinstein isn't among the "living dead" anymore, will you be removing her from the video?
Todd Christiansen
2023-09-29 14:13:47 +0000 UTCGreat work as always, Nick, even if it is something of a departure. But there's a time and place for being direct and on-the-nose, and I think the subject matter here certainly warrants that. And the imagery is both well-suited to that more serious tone, and a perfect example of how to use AI appropriately and effectively: these images SHOULD be uncanny and unnerving, because they depict a world of politics that's increasingly detached from, and unaccountable to, the real world.
Peter Aidan Byrne
2023-09-25 22:45:18 +0000 UTCFreakin' awesome Nick! Great song and message.
Joe Ken
2023-09-25 22:04:41 +0000 UTCi think the ai hell tool fits this perfectly
Meats
2023-09-25 22:01:26 +0000 UTCThis is so good!!
Scott Baker
2023-09-25 18:27:38 +0000 UTCThis honestly. Have always loved those and without LLM's ... SNL tech had some of my favorite of all time use of it
Qua Couron
2023-09-25 17:57:46 +0000 UTCEXCELLENT!
Jesse Torres
2023-09-25 17:38:56 +0000 UTCI don't think there's anything wrong with using AI tools at your level. You aren't Marvel Studios with a budget in the tens of millions. You aren't displacing jobs by using it. And in this example you aren't using it recreate handmade art, rather, it's being used to create something unique and otherwise not possible by the artist. You've been on the forefront of AI use for years, honestly. Many of the tools used by Brielle to make such impressive videos on a low budget were/are driven by machine learning.
addMitt
2023-09-25 17:33:22 +0000 UTCGreat tune! 🧟 Edit:. Loved the callback to Unleash Your Spirit (Ghouls, and skeletons too)
Todd Christiansen
2023-09-25 17:25:57 +0000 UTCOhhhhhh wow ...... yes absolutely terrifying. And definitely feels like a bit of a departure with the tone and on-the-nose-ness. Showed it to spouse and I commented on how there wasn't really any humor, and lots of horror. And he said, well, it (the topic) is horrific and not funny at all. I applaud you for leaning into something that will sparke controversy, in different ways. As for the message, on first pass, I'm interpreting the age topic (”cognitive decline", "wreaking havoc on a world they won't live to see", "living dead deciding what's best for your whole family") as being both literal and metaphorical. Because I feel like the majority of those people, despite their age, are so far removed from being citizens they might as well be living dead. And of course there's definitely a genuine argument against people who won't be affected by their decisions (age, but also station, means, sex, gender, religion, etc). The visuals I think work with AI. The nightmarish, melty, and otherworldly sensation is honestly on brand for how I often feel about the upper echelons of the US govt. Honestly the art is brilliant and the bouncing between AI and footage just really cements the divide between The Ghouls and Rotted Corpses and the rest of us. And it really just drew me in and immersed me (the close up visuals and morphing) even though I was actively disturbed by it, I felt transfixed. Really nice work Nick, and Rachel! I will have to watch a few more times to be able to tease the music out and fully digest it. (I did notice and groove with the screams!)
Cece
2023-09-25 17:18:38 +0000 UTCIncredible, per usual. Melody, lyrics, and the absolutely terrifying music video graphics... my god. 💀😂
Devin Ruffner
2023-09-25 16:27:01 +0000 UTCLoving the self awareness by stating that there's nothing wrong with being confused by the Internet.
nymaré
2023-09-25 16:25:14 +0000 UTCExcellent!!
Nurse Sparkle
2023-09-25 16:23:14 +0000 UTCthis is really, really damn good, nick! the message really gets across well, and i agree with you. i am not a fan of AI art and never have been, but i totally understand why it is used here, and i understand that it makes nightmarishly visuals compared to art that a person could make. so i get it! ^^ love the visuals, and the song is amazing. thank you for what you do, nick. can’t wait for the other october project songs ❤️
chefsdaughter418
2023-09-25 16:23:04 +0000 UTC
