EXAMPLE TREATMENT – 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 clichés 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 / anonymouscontent | 01.14.04