Music Video Director Research - Hype Williams

HYPE WILLIAMS - MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR

 

Hype Williams has been directing music videos since 1991 and now is one of the most sort after directors in the business. He tends to delve into videos from the hip-hop genre as this is his speciality in which he has more than 20 years of experience. His unique eye casts a one of a kind style into every video. I personally prefer the more recent Williams productions, but only because of the more complex lighting affects and computerised elements within his work.

Like for example the Kanye West Video - Lights

(Pictured below) 

 

 

Hype Williams structures this video to accentuate the different elements of the track. Which is about parents splitting up and kids getting caught in the middle, based on the story of Kanye west and his daughter.

 

 

The first scene involves a little girl walking alone, in a soft focus black and grey camera shot, pictured here in Close-up the young girl is the centre subject of the song, representing Kanye's daughter and their story.

This scene encourages the viewer to watch listen too and understand the words of Kanye West. Doing this also helps you also realise what he is saying, sometimes in hip-hop and rap songs the lyrics of the artist can become lost in translations.

 



Hype uses a flashing strobe to draw the eye to Kanye and sustain your interest in the rapper as he tells his story in this. The extreme close up shot also emphasises the emotions that kanye west is portraying.

Based on this video, you can see the many styles that hype Williams represents and brings together, most of all i like his camera work and use of computerised affects within his videos.

Other Hype Williams Productions I like include

 

Beyonce ft. Lady GaGa - Video Phone.

Which has really striking editing and uses some special effects

 

Jay-z and Alicia Keys - Empire State of mind

 

 

Really like the editing in this video, and how the majority of cuts occur on beat with the music.

 

Lupe Fiasco - Super Star

 

 

Really nice lighting and use of soft strobe lights reflects the slow feel of the song itself.