When Robert Smart asked me to create a visual story for Hot Spell’s song 18, I was instantly captivated. The song unlocked vivid memories of the 1980s—neon-lit arcades, rock & roll field parties, and a sense of youthful chaos. Using cutting-edge AI tools like MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, ChatGPT, and Luma, I brought this nostalgic vision to life in a visually stunning narrative.

The story follows a young girl whose life mirrors the unpredictability of a pinball game. From the moment she enters the arcade, a giant steel ball looms above—a mysterious force guiding the night. The game becomes a metaphor for her youth: the ball ricochets off bumpers, reflecting her mistakes, while flippers channel her determination. But she isn’t just playing—she’s connected to the game in extraordinary ways, manipulating the steel ball as if it responds to her emotions.

The climax reveals her mastery of the chaos. Her connection to the same pinball machine seen in the opening funeral scene transforms it into a gushing reservoir of gold coins, flooding the arcade and symbolizing her ultimate triumph. In this moment, she becomes one with the machine, embodying its power and channeling her victory over life’s unpredictability.

Bookended by the looming steel ball, the story suggests this force is more than a game—it’s a universal entity, waiting for the next player to take their turn. Paired with a vintage blue Camaro, representing her reckless yet unstoppable spirit, 18 captures the thrill, chaos, and resilience of growing up.

A celebration of youth’s beauty and unpredictability, 18 blends nostalgia with innovation in a wild, AI-driven ride through pinball, fast cars, and the magic of arcades—a story of triumph you’ll want to experience again and again.