This AI-assisted music video brings to life the story of Sarah Bagley, a Lowell mill worker who became a leading voice for labor reform in the 1840s. As head of the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association, Bagley rallied thousands of mill girls and compelled the Massachusetts legislature to confront the reality of 12–14-hour factory days. The video traces her pivotal 1846 petition campaign for a 10-hour day and highlights its lasting impact on both labor rights and the emerging movement for women’s rights in America.
Research, Lyrics, and Script
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- Using the large language model ChatGPT, I developed historically grounded narration and lyric concepts that reflect Bagley’s perspective and the experiences of the “Lowell girls.” Prompts were crafted to keep the story focused on the 10-hour-day campaign while ensuring clarity, authenticity, and emotional resonance.
Music Composition
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- I composed an original track with Suno AI (v4), transforming the lyrics into a cohesive song. The arrangement and vocal styling are designed to balance urgency and dignity, underscoring the human cost of industrial labor and the courage of collective action.
Visual Storytelling
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- To evoke the world of 1840s Lowell—mills, boardinghouses, petition meetings, and the factory floor—I generated imagery with Gemini and ChatGPT-assisted image tools. The visuals work in tandem with the lyrics to move the narrative from hardship to organized reform.
Editing and Assembly
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- I edited the piece in DaVinci Resolve, timing cuts to the beat and weaving images, captions, and transitions to maintain narrative momentum. The final sequence pairs key lines of the song with period-appropriate scenes so viewers can follow the arc from exploitation to advocacy.
By combining careful research with creative AI tools, this project reintroduces Sarah Bagley as a central figure in U.S. labor history. It shows how ordinary workers—especially women—organized, petitioned, and reframed public debate, leaving a legacy that still shapes workplace rights today.
Tools used: ChatGPT (story development and lyric support), Suno AI v4 (music and vocals), Gemini and ChatGPT image tools (visuals), DaVinci Resolve (editing).
