Orginal Treatment: jay-z - 99 problems
shot entirely in 35mm, black-and-white, the video will not look like any other rap video currently on the air.
per jay-z, it will be a more artistic cinematic exploration, filmed in and around brooklyn’s marcy projects.
the piece will have a tough, natural, documentary look – human, raw, visually poetic.
the spine of the video will be jay’s performance of the song, filmed in several highly visual locations (tbd).
only jay's 1994 encounter with a cop will be dramatized. (the lyrics will not be performed here as “dialog”. the scene will be depicted in a purely visual way.)
with the possible exception of a few high-profile cameos (e.g. rick rubin) the video will make exclusive use of real people from the area.
it will avoid the cliches of “life in the projects." instead it will zero-in on rarely emphasized details of neighborhood life, showing both positive and negative aspects -- always with an artistic eye, never judgmentally.
that said, since the track has a such a hard, old skool feel, the attitude and tone of the piece will definitely emphasize many of the tougher realities.
the final effect should have an unforgettable emotional impact. think of it as “reality-tv” with soul.
© mark romanek
You can find more on the video if you search through director's Mark Romanek's SITE!
Video/Song Awards:
2004 VMA's: (4) Best Rap Video, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Direction. Jay's Acceptance Speech for Best Rap Video! Beyonce's too! (DEAD). [SEARCH CharliR (in members) on youtube for the acceptance speeches.
2005 Soul Train Awards: Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video
2004 Vibe Awards: Reelest Video
2005 Grammy's: Best Rap Solo Performance.