"Undefeated" Video

Thanks to Lisa M. for the inspiration for a video for Daughtry’s “Undefeated.” She mentioned wanting to see Chris in a boxing ring. On the way into work this morning, I managed to flesh out a whole storyline for the video. I’m not a fan of performance videos (such as CBTY). Rather, I like conceptual music videos where a story is told. “Waiting for Superman” was great but I want to see Chris do something more than just sing in a video while the story plays out around him. We got a little of that with LAY but he was kind of just playing himself – a singer. I would like to see Chris stretch his acting chops more and play a character he’s not familiar with.

So the idea I have was sparked by Lisa’s boxing idea and exploded from there. My drive to work is only fifteen minutes long so I was pretty busy but here’s my idea (for what it’s worth). My mind often works on story ideas as I sleep so that’s why I think this came together so quickly this morning.

Chris portrays a boxer, not the best but not ready to give the ring up just yet. He’s never won a fight yet. His day job is some blue collar job to pay his bills but when he’s not working, he’s training. As he’s training for one more fight (a fight he’ll finally win?) we see flashbacks of him with a woman (a girlfriend, wife, or ex-wife). It’s a long but tumultuous relationship with a combination of tender moments but also many verbal fights. They argue over his boxing activity. She wants him to stop for health reasons but he just wants one more chance to finally win. They both love each other but this boxing match has torn them apart.

She’s left him due to his decision to fight again and this causes him to train even harder as he reminisces more about the tender moments than their fighting. He can’t stop thinking about her because he still loves her. Anyway, he continues to work his day job and train at night and finally it’s time for the bout. We’re not talking Las Vegas or anything but a boxing match at his local gym in the slightly rough neighborhood he lives in. His friends (the rest of the band – Lisa’s idea) are there to root him on. Maybe one can be his corner man, another his trainer, etc.

The fight begins and his opponent is formidable. Once again, it appears that he will lose another fight. He’s trying hard but as the rounds wear on, he is getting bloodied pretty good. His friends, who first cheered him on are now trying to get him to forfeit but he won’t give up. He wants the win; he just wants to win once. The fight continues and so do the hits. He starts to struggle and at one of the round breaks, he’s barely conscious on his little stool in the corner. He looks around the gym and sees the crowd and is confused from the beating he’s taken. Then, he sees her.

His girlfriend/wife/ex-wife has come to the match. She’s worried, naturally. She hasn’t stopped loving him either but didn’t want to lose him to his boxing hobby. The bell rings for the next round and he hesitates. Does he forfeit or does he continue on? It’s obvious to everyone except for him this will be just one more loss. He doesn’t give up easily when it comes to anything whether it is boxing or his girlfriend/wife/ex-wife.

The crowd is cheering and jeering and Chris’s character is wavering between his two choices – continue on or forfeit. It’s not just a choice for the match but also his relationship. Does he throw his gloves down for his love or does he keep them on for that one chance for a win? The final scene is him standing up (slow motion for the drama) and we see his girl in the background along with his opponent. He takes a step towards the center of the ring and…

Well, I know how it ends. :)

Dana