IT'S NOT A GOODBYE

By Mariam Jibril

December Fades, the alias of filmmaker Kevin Rogers, brings music and film together excellently with the music video for It’s Not A Goodbye. As the sole creative force on the project, Rogers takes the lead in several roles, including writing the song and directing the music video, where he performs as the sole performer. With a micro-crew, he went guerrilla-style to film the video amongst some of the most amazing places in El Salvador. The most impressive aspect of the video is that, because of its simplicity, it does not lack in its ability to be cinematic. Rather than spending lots of money to create the video, he used one performer, one song, and an outstanding backdrop to create a personal cinematic video. The song is about longing and uncertain feelings about the emotional separation from someone, and the video is a contrast to that, as Rogers is filmed in the El Salvadoran landscapes in search of something that is beyond. It is very possible that, rather than as a representation of a person, the missing someone is inspiration. In this case, the video is an excellent portrayal of the frustrations and the inspiration of the creative process.

In the video, cinematography is a major strength. Rogers knows how to incorporate landscapes to help him relay the emotion of a scene. In one isolated case, Rogers uses the wide-open and expansive landscapes to help him show the loneliness at the center of the song. They indicate the isolation he is feeling and surround him with beauty. The visual direction shows an appealing restraint. There is a good use of portions of video sequencing, where Rogers is simply shot walking through one gorgeous setting after the next. Rather than being overly impressed by the beauty of one location after the next, the camera gives each setting ample breathing room, allowing the beauty to be the focus of the video. Rogers' presence is also a counterbalance to the beauty and the great outdoors. The editing balances the video’s melancholy with the hope of the landscape and lets the song keep the focus. The video demonstrated the philosophy of being understated. The pacing of the video lets the song be the focus and the emotional companion of the video to keep the focus of the viewer. There is no choreography or performance to overshadow the video; the shooting of Rogers walking through the landscape is the focus. Each of the changing backdrops represents an internal journey to connect to a lost thought with each new backdrop and a new view.

The video It's Not A Goodbye lends itself well to different interpretations. Because the video never attempts to explain what the protagonist is going through, the audience is able to bring their own emotions and experiences to the situation. Many may interpret the video as telling the story of a relationship that ended, but some may interpret it as being about creative block, or even the two things together. Some of the appeal of the video is the ambiguity. Through the video, we see Rogers’ behind-the-camera work, and we notice his impressive visual instinct as he knows when to let an image linger, and he knows when to push the landscape to the background and let the music take the emotional weight of the situation.

The video It's Not A Goodbye beautifully illustrates how a song, and even a music video, can convey a lot with just the right amount of tools. December Fades, a personal project of Kevin Rogers, is able to showcase a song that laments loss and longing and pairs it beautifully with space and the possibility for beauty that can be found in a landscape that may seem abandoned. Kevin Rogers is at ease as both performer and director, and indicates a great knowledge of the visual and narrative side of cinematography. Most importantly, he indicates a wonderful time management philosophy in that he is able to present the viewers with the tools they need for their own interpretations. As December Fades is a first experience for many of the viewers, It's Not A Goodbye can do more than just present a song and pretty pictures. It is able to capture the audience and present them with a melodrama that is perfect for drawing viewers in and presenting them with an evocative visual journey that allows them the opportunity to listen and to slow down.