HANK MAY: MORGANA

a music video for mental health and suicide prevention awareness

In a liminal space where life seeks the light, a mental health support group reaches catharsis through kinetic release and a daring mantra.

Filmmaker Statement

“With this concept, I challenged myself to bring humor, vulnerability, empowerment, and hope -- everything in Hank’s music -- to a sensitive and complicated subject, one I have experience with and needed to honor. We designed the production as a non-profit, in-kind effort for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, hoping to reduce stigma, foster connectedness, and spark meaningful conversations. We found supportive partners in Hyper RPG Studios, transporting our therapy group into a kinetic, otherworldly realm using an innovative virtual production environment and motion-control camera system. I’m thrilled to share our expression of joy and healing with the world.”

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This work contains a discussion of suicide. Suicide is complex and can be prevented. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals struggling, in crisis, or for those seeking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener 24/7, call or text 988. For more resources on suicide prevention awareness and action, visit BeThe1To.com.

Official Selection

Conero Film + ADV - Italy, September 2024 - Shortlisted for Best Music Video Under €10K

51st Athens International Film + Video Festival - Athens, OH, April 2024

Curation Hour - January 2024 selection, with a Q&A adapted from an essay by Jo Garrity

“As observers, we frequently overlook the impactful experiences—whether positive or negative—that contribute to the creation of artistic endeavours. In an admirable effort to challenge the stigma associated with suicide, director Jo Garrity shares with us a deeply personal narrative behind the music video he directed for musician Hank May.” Curation Hour

BARCIFF - Barcelona Indie Filmmakers Festival - July 2024

Top of the Clips - December 2023

 

Press

Medium - “On Living, or an Unending Love Story,” a personal essay by Jo Garrity on the making of Morgana

Promonews

Thought-provoking… The video for Morgana is a complex yet beautiful meditation on mental health, and uses dynamic movement and ethereal cinematography to encapsulate the themes of the track. May's performance is suitably transcendent and central to the concept, and each character's performance helps bring a sense of realism to the dreamlike vision.”

Rob Ulitizki, Promonews

Rainn Wilson

“Absolutely captivated… a beautiful blend of humor, vulnerability, and empowerment.”

Northern Transmissions - Video of the Day

Sacks & Co - Press Release

Credits

Directed by Jo Garrity

Produced by Miranda Peters-Lazaro

Director of Photography Wesley Rodriguez

Editor Doug Yablun

Talents

Hank May

Stephanie Kim

Darren Hale

Bonnie He

Jennifer Polania

Technical Director Jo Paloma

Movement Director Sebastian Peters-Lazaro

Virtual Set Designer Malika Lim Eubank

Production Designer Logan Stockwell

Gaffer Bailey Clark

Colorist Paul Bupte

Executive Producers Malika Lim Eubank & Zac Lim Eubank

Filmed at Hyper RPG Studios, Los Angeles

“Morgana” by Hank May from the album Tails on Dangerbird Records

Lyrics

I'm the fruit picker
Dripping red
I'm the leaf snatcher
Snatch and shred

But for you, baby blue
I'll let go
As you grow
See you slo-mo explode

Give you less water
More light
Make your roots stronger
Save your life

Grabbing you when the house catches fire
Loving you like I'm out of my mind

My million
Leaf clover
We just get closer, closer
I'm going nowhere staying home
I couldn't do that on my own

There's a will
There's a way
There's a what the hell
This is not a universe in which I kill myself

I'm the dirt digger
I get down
But my heart's bigger
Than my town

And if you, baby blue
Stick around
We can live till your lips kiss the ground

There's a will
There's a way
There's a what the hell
This is not a universe in which I kill myself