Talk about democracy - more story boarding

We talked about the concept album. Now we are looking at the concept design.

Since at least hundred years ago, it is fairly common for writers to make simple simple pencil drawings to illustrate ideas or stage designs and stage backdrops for each scene. It is up to the directors to take these drawings further and create those wonderful stage sets we see in musicals. As technology moved on, new ways has emerged to make it even easier for writers to bring their ideas across.

One of the very recent developments is the "animated drawings", which has taken youtube by storm, especially with educational videos. The video here by Minute Earth is an excelent example of how this technique can be used very effectively for science education.

This technology can also be used with great effect in theater. Here is my second video using this idea to illustrate a scene for the musical, The exile.

Talk about democracy, act 1, scene 2.

In this scene, Tyler returns home after an unsuccessful search for a job. At home, he is met by people celebrating freedom day. Tony, who enjoys the free beer on offer, challenges Tyler and complains in general about the lack of progress since the first democratic elections.

If you enjoy these videos, please subscirbe to my channel, like it or share it on youtube, twitter, or facebook.

Fighting from afar

Back to our story. Last time that we have seen Tyler, he and Melissa started their search for his father, Hugo. Melissa's dad, Neil, could not help them, but he recalled the good and bad times of the struggle.

If you do not know the story of apartheid, you can read all about it all over the Internet. Wikipedia is usually a good start. Our story is however not a political rant. The part we are mostly concerned about here is the role that those in exile played.

Neil and Hugo went to London, where they joined the struggle movements that were being established over their. Whenever South African visitors came to London, representing the country, the struggle movement organised protest marches. Eventually they succeeded in banning South African sports teams from participating in international events.

The students had lots of fun, streaking unto the rugby pitches, getting painted purple with large water cannons and getting arrested. It all paid off for them after many years in swaying the opinion of general public against the South African government, bringing about sanctions, and eventually democratic elections.

Fast forward. Tyler is still looking for his father. As Neil gives them all these details, it does not give him hope about finding his father.

They decided to take a leap. He now knows that his father is somewhere in London. If you want to find somebody, you will have to go to where that person was last seen. Sounds good.

So Tyler and Melissa get on their crusade. Tyler do not have a whole bag of money, but lucky he knows somebody who can sponsor him.

In the next scene, they arrive in London, but where do they start? Well, that can not be so difficult, can it. Start at the obvious place. Where would ex-South Africans be?

We will find out in the next scene, "a Matter of import, part 2".

Until next time, happy blogging!

A matter of import - part 1

During the 1980's, South Africa experienced what was known then as the "brain drain". Many young South Africans left the country to settle overseas. Favourite destinations were Australia and England. Many of those young people contributed a great deal to the eventual end to apartheid in South Africa. After democratic elections in South Africa, many of those who lived in exile returned to South Africa. These young people received good education at overseas universities and eventually helped to reverse the brain drain to some extend. Those who joined the 'official' struggle movement while in exile were rewarded with positions in the new government.

Meet Neil, one of those young men. Neil left the country with Hugo and settled in London, where he received a degree in law. While in exile, Neil met and married an English girl. They had one daughter whom they named Melissa.

When Melissa was about 8 years old, her family relocated back to South Africa, where her dad got a job in the new government and became a member of the new Parliament.

Ten years later, the day after the freedom day celebrations, Melissa, with her friend, Tyler, arrived at her home to talk to her father, who is in their lounge.

At the freedom day celebrations the previous day, Tyler made up his mind. He wants to bring his father back to South Africa. Melissa told him to stop talking and do something about it. She suggested that they should go see her father, Neil who might know where he is.

Track: A matter of import part 1
Album: Unpublished (From the musical, The exile)
Artist: Eric Swardt

With that background, the lyrics of this song is self explanatory. After the introductions, Tyler states his business and Neil offers to assist. In the last verse Neil reflects on his memories of Hugo, which is covered in detail in the song which follows immediately after this one.
 

Melissa

(1a)

Good day father. it is good to see you again

please meet Tyler, he is my dearest friend

he's the son of Pam and wish to talk to you

about a matter that you may know a thing or two

 

Neil

(2a)

Good day young man, tell me what's on your mind

is there some information that you wish to find

and as your member of the parliament

I'll take your matter without any argument

 

Tyler

(3b)

Sir, the matter about which i wish to talk

is not of public import

I seek news of the one who made a stand

and sacrificed so much for this land

(4a)

I am told that you are one

who joined my father on the run

but while so many have returned

my father never claimed what he earned

 

(5a Tyler and Melissa)

We know what fate befell on every one

(oh yes, we know)

of the heroes that were on the run

but as for Hugo we don't know how

he is doing now

(6c with Melisa)

Sir, the matter about which I came to speak

is of great import to me

I come to you as I am on the trail

of my father who is in exile