This video delves into General Robert E. Lee’s momentous decision to join the Confederate side at the start of the Civil War. Lee, a skilled Union officer before the war, faced an intense internal conflict when his home state seceded, causing him to question his loyalty. Captivated by Lee’s inner struggle, I set out to create a music piece that would explore this emotional turmoil.
- Script and Lyrics Development: To craft lyrics that reflect Lee’s inner conflict, I used ChatGPT’s SUNO for initial ideas and inspiration. After drafting the lyrics, I refined them with Google Gemini, which helped enhance historical accuracy and finalize the lyrical tone.
- Visual Art: Drawing from the lyrics, I used Stable Diffusion to create images that would convey key moments of Lee’s conflict. By carefully adjusting prompts, I generated visuals that illustrated the weight of Lee’s decision. Additionally, I used Runway to animate select images, enhancing the visual storytelling.
- Music Composition: The music creation was a highlight of the project. I composed the song using SUNO AI, experimenting with ten versions before achieving a final piece that captured the depth of Lee’s emotions. The musical theatre style was chosen to convey his despair, the sadness of the war, and ultimately, his difficult decision to join the South.
Using these AI tools, along with the knowledge gained from Dr. Whitener’s class, I was able to depict a pivotal moment in both Lee’s life and American history. This combination of technology and historical insight allowed me to convey the profound emotional and ethical dimensions of Lee’s choice.
