In a groundbreaking action bound to ripple through the music and tech industries, The Weeknd is elevating his artistry to a new level with a forthcoming music video that promises to be unlike anything seen before. The enigmatic, chart-topping star, who is known for pushing the limits of visual storytelling, has teamed up with Eric Hendrickson, a famed cinematographer, to shoot his latest music video. The “new” part of the assignment is that the iPhone 16 Pro is being used to capture the visuals. This promises to blow fans’ minds.
Venturing behind the velvet ropes of the showbiz world has long been seen as a risky business. But those who have undertaken the trip behind the ropes and come back to tell the tale have typically been seen as world-beaters, unstoppable forces, and pure creative energy. Abel Tesfaye, better known as the music superstar The Weeknd, has certainly earned his status in this regard. And now he seems to be affording a whole new side to his increasingly multifaceted persona by embracing a cutting-edge technological marvel—Apple’s new iPhone 16 Pro.
In the splendid light of the late-afternoon sun, Eric Hendrickson, exuding visionary brilliance, directed a crew intent on pulling together a physics-defying production. When the team discovered the iPhone’s advanced features, their excitement was palpable.
Eric was uncapped, and the thrill of innovation was in his eyes. “We envisioned something for the netherworlds,” he said, “that was like physics and magic at the same time.” Still, no one had any idea what he was talking about.
In a maelstrom of creativity and innovation, Abel offered this commentary: “At first, it was hard not to think of it as just a phone, but the moment I saw the ultra-wide, sharp details, I realized we were creating something really epic.” And indeed, the iPhone’s newborn 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens really does go to a revolutionary new place, with oh-so-breathtaking composition and detail—and yes, addition to every frame’s captured moment.
Even with the signature lushness of The Weeknd’s visuals, which fans have grown to love and expect, this awaited video marks a step into the future of music videos—the iPhone’s photo styles feature. If fans thought the phone’s predecessor was a “game changer,” then they might lose their minds over the potential of this feature. Being able to hold a visual over to a different “dialed” aesthetic means that both light and color can be manipulated almost in tandem, going both to and from a more vivid or murky space.
Hendrickson went on to explain that still images were just part of the iPhone’s photographic capabilities, with the real magic happening with living images. He then showed a series of short clips featuring Abel and edited to within an inch of its life. After that, Hendrickson revealed what he considered to be the pièce de résistance of the whole presentation: a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a concert film for Abel’s song “Call Out My Name.”
To make things even more exciting, we keep hearing about an extraordinary visual production being put together for the Super Bowl. Insiders on the set have been dropping little hints here and there, and it sounds like what they’re working on is going to be pretty mind-blowing. That’s what happens when you put together a top-notch creative team and give them a set with room for jaw-dropping visuals. Another element said to be key to the setup is the use of light.
The Weeknd has chosen to adopt Apple’s new Apple Log feature, and in doing so, has indicated an easygoing willingness to explore color in his music videos. This aligns with the storytelling form that has made him so successful. Eric gushed over Apple’s new feature, saying, “It’s not just an iPhone; it’s a portal to an entirely new creative realm.”
With excitement building to an almost unbearable level, fans of both The Weeknd and experimental cinema wait for the premiere of his new project. Abel, it seems, is not just a music icon but a trailblazer ready to reinvent how artists use technology to enhance their art.
Buckle up! As The Weeknd keeps reshaping the world, one slow-motion image at a time, his newest project promises to be an arresting example of what happens when music, technology, and unadulterated creativity collide in a spectacular fashion. You won’t want to blink and miss what comes next.
