Jon StojanAnimator Hoda Ramy shares the meticulous creative process behind the music video for all-female vocal supergroup säje
In the wee small hours of the morning, official music video directed by hoda Ramy
How did you come to direct the official music video for the Grammy-winning track “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” by säje?
Hoda Ramy: säje approached me to create an animated music video for them. In discussions with the band about how they wanted me to bring the song to life visually, the members expressed a desire for a dreamy, whimsical atmosphere with abstract shapes. The track has a slow progression, and its vocals are ethereal. I had to find a way to pace the visual movement with their music and match its qualities, which inspired the mystical, magical multi-layer journey of the woman in the music video: a lover-figure in nature. Their confidence in my vision and entrusting me with artistic freedom was incredibly motivating. I later proposed to them my style frames and storyboards, and with only minor adjustments, our already-inspiring collaboration became seamless and harmonious.
What inspired the creative approach for the music video, and how did you incorporate animation into the project?
Hoda Ramy: The creative approach drew inspiration from the evocative nature of “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.” When I first heard säje’s new arrangement, which beautifully conveyed longing and limerence, vivid images began forming in my imagination. The song is a romantic jazz standard that takes you on a journey. Its vocals are colorful, with perhaps a religious quality—or maybe I should say it’s heavenly, like angels or some divine creature. It struck me as an internal sound that only the lover can hear—we could say it’s the sound of love.
Christina’s World Andrew Wyeth 1984
This led me to envision scenes reminiscent of Christine’s World by American painter Andrew Wyeth. I always interpreted that painting in a romantic light: it’s simple but also quite complicated. We can’t see the protagonist’s face. The only thing that is clear to us is the state of the landscape and why she is all alone on that hill and why she is looking back at the barn. But because you can’t see her face, you can’t know for certain, but maybe you can seek answers in her surroundings. This mystery prompted me to explore the untold story beyond the hill, imagining a couple who once shared a landscape, and now only one of them remains.
I delved into the notion of shared memories and envisioned how the remaining individual’s imagination would transport them to those cherished places. These places, marked by love, became the focal point—where walls, trees, grass, lakes, and seas seemed to hold memories of the lovers’ time together. I strongly believe that memories provoke a sense of place, and my goal was to capture those lovers’ essence in the music video.
In the wee small hours of the morning, official music video directed by hoda Ramy
How did it feel to have the music video premiere on Forbes.com?
Hoda Ramy: It was an incredible honor and reward for the collaborative effort and dedication we poured into the project. Forbes.com is renowned for celebrating outstanding creative work, and the recognition of our music video on such a prestigious platform exposed it to a wide and diverse multi-generational audience. It made the project a huge success.
Tell us about the process of creating the video. How did you make it? What were your challenges?
Hoda Ramy: One significant challenge I faced was time constraints. Despite the limited timeframe leading up to the release date, I was committed to realizing a vision that truly captured the track’s essence. I aspired to create something not only visually stunning but also reflective of the remarkable voices of säje and their collaborator Jacob Collier. The animation technique is digital 2D, which is essentially cell animation: I drew everything, frame by frame, and then colored each one separately. If you pay attention, you can recognize an animation technique we call “boiling,” and it’s what makes the image slightly wiggle and differ from the previous frame. Then, I wanted to intensify the feeling of nostalgia by adding an oil pastel texture. Given the circumstances this vision was ambitious. And to overcome this challenge, I reached out to my friend Gabriela Sibilska to animate and color a few scenes alongside me. This collaborative effort was instrumental to bringing my envisioned project to fruition within the set timeframe.
Can you share a memorable moment or aspect of the project that stands out to you?
Hoda Ramy: säje’s song received a Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals, and bringing the track to life through animation, coupled with the recognition on Forbes.com, stands out as a proud moment. I never imagined an opportunity like this to present itself to me before working in the US. When I was in Iran, the rest of the world felt pretty disconnected from my own experience, but working in New York gives me the chance to work with acclaimed, world-class American and international artists, like säje and Jacob Collier, and to use my animation expertise to bring art and beauty to people. This is what happens when you combine passion with creativity: you create an artwork that resonates with your collaborator and your audience through an esteemed platform.
säje Voices and Jacob Collier courtesy to Grammy’s website
What does this project mean to you personally?
Hoda Ramy: Directing the music video for a Grammy-winning track was a profound opportunity that allowed me to intertwine my passion for music and animation, resulting in a project that embodies both creativity and unwavering dedication. Witnessing this labor of love showcased on Forbes.com and resonating with a broader audience has been a personal triumph, and a reminder of the importance of the work we do as artists, especially in a time when people are seeking beauty as a reprieve from their problems. Notably, the project received significant acclaim on social media, which made the video viral. One comment on the music video’s YouTube page stood out to me: one user mentioned that my visual animation added an entirely new layer to the song, while another said it was “a balm to the soul.” Reading those words gave me a deep sense of accomplishment, and affirmation of art’s importance.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
Hoda Ramy: Thank you for having me.
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning // säje ft Jacob Collier