‘HOLDING U BACK’ INSIGHTS
For the second part of Sonny Amerie’s music video Holding U Back, the story shifts from excitement to something more complex. It becomes bittersweet, reflective, and emotional.
This chapter follows the main character after he loses the girl of his dreams. As he tries to move forward, he meets someone new. But the journey is not simple. The storyline brings tension and vulnerability, with moments of conflict, running, and protecting someone else while emotionally letting go of the past.
Leading the visual direction for this part was James, cinematographer and videographer at Fat Mango Studios.
A visual language of letting go
When James first received the brief, the concept immediately resonated with him.
The story carries a dual emotional tone, loss and healing happening at the same time. To reflect that, the video begins in black and white, creating a monochromatic world that mirrors the character’s emotional state.
The absence of colour represents distance, memory, and emotional weight.
Only when the character finally accepts his feelings for the new girl does the image transition into colour. This shift signals growth, independence, and emotional release.
For James, the storytelling approach felt deeply intentional, and it made sense why he was chosen for this chapter.
This part was not about high energy or spectacle. It was about mood, emotion, and restraint.
Slow, contemplative framing
Unlike the vibrant club sequence in the first part, this chapter moves at a slower pace.
James approached the cinematography with a quiet, contemplative style:
controlled compositions
intentional negative space
softer movement
lighting that shapes emotion rather than just visibility
As he studied the lyrics, he recognised the emotional weight behind the song. There is sadness, acceptance, and quiet transformation. That tone guided his visual decisions throughout the shoot.
The goal was not to dramatise the story, but to let the emotion breathe.
A favourite moment: separation and connection
One of James’s standout scenes takes place in a recording studio.
Sonny performs inside the booth, while Shan, his producer and a character in the narrative, watches from the control room.
What makes the scene powerful is the visual relationship between them.
Through reflections and layered framing:
both characters appear in the same composition
but remain physically separated
existing in their own spaces
The lighting design played a crucial role. Strong contrast and carefully placed light pockets created depth, mood, and visual tension.
For James, this scene was especially satisfying. The lighting looked exactly as he had imagined, and the reflections symbolised something deeper.
Two people connected, but moving through their own emotional worlds.
When cinematography carries the message
Projects like this remind us that cinematography is not just about how something looks.
It is about how the audience feels.
From the monochrome palette to the pacing, from the lighting contrast to the final shift into colour, every visual choice supports the same emotional arc.
Loss.
Acceptance.
Moving on.
Sometimes the most powerful storytelling is not loud or dramatic.
It is quiet.
Intentional.
And honest, just like the moment when the colour finally returns.