Cape Town based singer-songwriter, Tayla Hunter, could easily be setting a new standard for music videos in South Africa as she unveils a cinematic masterpiece with the music video for her latest single “Out of Mind”, which is released today.
Tayla Hunter explains her latest single
“In everyday life we are constantly faced with decisions where we must choose between the mental or emotional sides of these decisions, and which is the right one to make. Being a teenager brings all sorts of peer pressures and outside influences that make it difficult to make these decisions. This song is to show my peers out there that they are not alone in the turmoil of being a teenager.”
At its core, the new single is more up-beat, hoping to bring a happier tone to the message and is set for the same triumphant success as “Untouchable”.
Shot and directed by Lucinda Ohlson and produced by David Leite from Blacklist Films, the video for “out of mind” paints a modern-day story of Bonnie & Clyde with Bonnie (Tayla) trying to make the right decisions along the way instead of only following her heart to making the wrong ones.
Ohlson talks about the idea behind the music video for “Out Of Mind”
“It was important for me to create something that had a narrative which involved themes relevant to people such as love, relationship, and identity which complimented the lyrics to out of mind. I incorporated some of my inspirations in the idea, such as using a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde sort of love story.”
“A lot of the shots I envisioned are pieces that you could potentially pull a still from as an art piece. Being drawn to worlds that meet both fiction and non-fiction, I created a film piece that had a combination of real-life emotional value and experiences that could exist in an external world, which comes across as something new or out of mind. Creating a piece that holds these worlds is always challenging, but every single team member was so accommodating to the vision.”
The locations could never exactly match what was in Ohlson’s treatment and storyboards, but David Leite, the producer on the music video, had a few aces up his sleeve. He had them visit multiple locations together which he believed would be potential options – which they were, of course. Art direction still had to create the spaces to look like what Ohlson had envisioned and they did a great job doing it.
Ohlson comments on the cinematography
“The cinematography was a classic testament of vision and eye being in sync. Michael Cleary is an amazing DOP, he just immediately got the idea and I never had to over-communicate which was a dream we had the same mindset same visual style for this film piece and it was great having him on this project.”
Tayla explains her experience working alongside Blacklist Films on the making of her video
“A few weeks prior to the shooting of the music video, I didn’t entirely know what to think. The filming industry seemed like a whole new world of knowledge and experience that I didn’t have an inch of insight on. Then I met up with Lucinda, who made things so much clearer and just seemed to get me. We quickly built a friendship that I feel will always be there. Although I was still bewildered with this new world, Lucinda made it clear what was expected of me and always made sure I wasn’t pressured or left out of any detail.”
“The first morning on set the nerves began to kick in, after just a couple hours I was feeling at home, comforted by the set crew who were incredible, each and every one of them … something I will forever be grateful for. Alongside my co-star, (Eli Foster) we had an astronomical amount of fun building friendships and learning everything we did on set. I cannot wait to see the public’s response to this incredible piece of art that Lucinda Ohlson and the Blacklist Films crew have created. I cannot express my thanks enough for the amount of time and effort the Lucinda, David and the team have put into this It was truly an unforgettable experience.”
Ohlson comments on working with Tayla
“Tayla was a delight to work with and I look forward to seeing her grow and become the best version of herself as an artist and individual. She is extremely talented, South Africa has mind-blowing people with all sorts of gifts and talents, but she is rare and I can’t wait to see more to come from her. She is the next big thing!”
Tayla talks about working with Ohlson
“We collectively put a lot of energy, love, and commitment into this project so hopefully, it shows. I hope that whoever watches it, not only experiences what we created in an entertaining way, but also carries a good message from this film piece.”
Check out the music video for “Out Of Mind” Below:
You can stream / download “Out Of Mind” HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on SA Music Zone.
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