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(December 31, 2003 - January 6, 2004)  2003 YEAR REVIEW
2003 was an extremely quiet year for Hype Williams.  After only directing a handful of videos in 2002, Hype ended up only directing one video in 2003: Ashanti's Rain On Me.  I was fortunate enough to attend the video shoot in Toronto in August 2003 (photos found by scrolling down).  Hype also directed a pair of commercials for Verizon, one of which features James Earl Jones.  It was also announced in the past year that Hype Williams would be involved in two upcoming movies.  The first one, Captivity (for Fox Searchlight) is a "a psychological thriller about two strangers who are kidnapped and manipulated by an unseen sociopath".  The second is entitled Thrilla (for Disney), a 3D zombie movie set in Jamaica.  Word has it that Hype is also continuing development of his live-action adaption of the Japanese anime Speed Racer.  Much luck to Hype on his film projects in 2004!

(November 26, 2003)  MORE INFO ON THRILLA | ASHANTI EXTENDED MUSIC VIDEO AVAILABLE @ LIDROCK.COM
News about Hype Williams's development of the 3-D zombie movie Thrilla first came out this past May.  I recently found more online articles that provide more information on the movie.  The original article, which appeared in Variety, states that Hype Williams actually wrote the screenplay for the movie.  As mentioned before the movie will be shot in 3-D and Hollywood special effects company Stan Winston Studio (which was responsible for the special effects in Jurassic Park, The Terminator, and Aliens) will take care of the special effects for the movie.  From the article:

Living up to his sobriquet, Williams hyped the pic as "an event level experience that will take us into the next era of filmmaking, visually as well as in how (a) story is told."

 Click here to read more about the movie at CHUD.com

Back in the Summer, before Hype Williams shot the Ashanti video Rain On Me in Toronto in early August, it was mentioned on MTV.com that the video was to be shot as an extended video, or mini-movie.  However, the version of the video that is airing on television is a standard 4-5 minute music video.  Apparently, the video DID actually get shot as a mini-movie, but never got to air on television.  A press-release from DefJam Records on October 20 states that the long-form video of Ashanti's Rain On Me will be available exclusively through LidRock CD-Rom.  LidRock is a breakthrough media distrubution method in which CD's, CD-ROM's, & DVD's are delivered to customers on fountain drink lids sold mainly at cinemas across North America.  Ashanti has teamed up with LidRock in making the video.  The license-plate on the car in the video reads "LIDZ" (a reference to the partnership with the company).  The mini-movie video will be available exclusively through LidRock.com for $5.  The money will be donated to The Family Violence Prevention Fund which deals with family violence (which is the theme to Ashanti's song & video).
(click here to read press-release)

**click here to read about ordering the exclusive Ashanti Rain On Me extended video through LidRock.com**

(October 20, 2003)  R. KELLY & NO DOUBT GREATEST HITS DVD'S INCLUDE HYPE WILLIAMS VIDEOS
R. Kelly & No Doubt are coming out with Greatest Hits DVD compilations this fall, coinciding with the release of their Greatest Hits albums.  The R. Kelly DVD, entitled "R" in R&B - The Video Collection Volume 1 contains 18 R. Kelly videos, starting  from his days with Public Announcement all the way to his most recent video Step In The Name of Love (remix).  2 of the 10 videos that Hype Williams has directed for R. Kelly appear on the DVD: Down Low and Gotham City.  Some other big videos left off the disc include Half On A Baby and I Believe I Can Fly.  (perhaps they will be included on Volume 2?).  The DVD will be in stores tomorrow (October 21).

No Doubt's DVD compilation will be included as part of a special 4-disc deluxe box set entitled Boom Box (to be released on November 25).  The 4-disc set will include the Greatest Hits album The Singles 1992-2003, a rarities/B-Sides/remixes cd, The Videos 1992-2003 DVD, and a concert DVD.  The Videos DVD will include the Hype Williams-directed Ex-Girlfriend video.  No word on whether or not the Videos DVD will be released on its own.

(August 26, 2003)  ASHANTI VIDEO TO PREMIERE ON MTV TOTAL REQUEST LIVE THIS THURSDAY
According to MTV.com, the new Hype Williams-directed mega-video for Ashanti's video Rain On Me will have its world premiere on MTV Total Request Live this Thursday (August 28).  Ashanti will appear on the show to premiere the video, which was shot earlier this month in Toronto and Malibu.
(thanks to Cihan for the info)

(August 17, 2003)  NEW MOVIE: CAPTIVITY
This little bit of news came out back in June, but I didn't come across it until a few days ago.  The Hollywood Reporter reported on June 18 that Hype Williams has signed on to direct his 2nd feature-length film, Captivity, for Fox Searchlight Pictures.  The movie is a psychological thriller about two strangers who are kidnapped and manipulated by an unseen sociopath.  Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) explains further the synopsis of the movie: "A man and a woman awaken to find themselves chained to each other in a cellar.  As their kidnapper psychologically drives them mad the truth about their horrific abduction is revealed."  The script is written by Larry Cohen, who also wrote the script for Phonebooth.
(thanks to DEX for the info)

(August 12, 2003)  *** ASHANTI VIDEO - ON SET PHOTOS ***
Got my the photos from the Ashanti "Rain On Me" video shoot developed yesterday, and they turned out okay.  I wasn't able to get any close shots because I was using the dinky disposable camera.  The first two shots are of the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Canada (just West of Toronto).  The 3rd shot is of the crew setting up for the shoot (Hype Williams is the guy in the jeans, white t-shirt, and green cap).  The last two shots are of the scene where Ashanti walks up the red carpet and poses for the paparazzi.  Again, sorry for the piss-poor quality of the photos.  If anyone reading this was at the shoot, and took good quality digital photos, please contact me at hypepaul@yahoo.com.

(August 11, 2003)  *** ASHANTI VIDEO - ON SET REPORT ***
Yesterday afternoon, shooting of the Hype Williams-directed Ashanti Rain On Me video moved to the Living Arts Centre (next to Square One shopping mall) in Mississauga (just west of Toronto).  Coincidentally, I literally happened to be in the area, saw a gigantic image of Ashanti on the billboard in front of the building, saw the film crew & equipment trucks, and quickly realized what was going on.  The Living Arts Centre is a huge convention hall with a really modern-looking glass exterior.  The scene that they shot was on the steps just outside the Centre.  They set it up to look like some sort of movie premiere, complete with red carpet, velvet rope, paparazzi, and hundreds of screaming fans.  The paparazzi were played by people chosen from the casting call which took place earlier in the week (see August 7 News below).  The cool thing was that they needed the "screaming fans", and there was already a huge crowd of on-lookers from the mall next door, waiting around to catch a glimpse of Ashanti.  So the obvious thing to do was to utilize the on-lookers as the fans in the video.  They did several takes of the paparazzi & fans without Ashanti, then did a few takes with Ashanti arriving in a limo with video guest star, actor Larenz Tate.  Halfway through the shoot, it actually started to rain.  How fitting, considering the title of the song.  The entire shoot (which I was fortunate enough to watch from start to finish) took about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.  I had the opportunity to meet and chat with a few of the people from the shoot, including the casting director, and a few people associated with Little X (whom I had met previously through the site).  Unfortunately, I did not have my digital camera on me at the time, and only managed to grab a disposable camera in the last minute (only 24 or so shots, as opposed to 250+ shots that I could have easily taken with my Nikon 2500).  Check back here on Tuesday, when I'll post the scanned photos that I took, if they turned out okay <fingers-crossed>.  Hopefully I get another chance this week to visit another video set. (to the people who can hook me up with a set visit, you can contact me at: hypepaul@yahoo.com, heheh). :o)

(August 7, 2003)  *** ASHANTI VIDEO - CASTING CALL IN TORONTO THIS AFTERNOON ***
I received some interesting e-mail yesterday.  Seems that the Ashanti mega-video Rain On Me (directed by Hype Williams) has now relocated shooting to Toronto, Canada and they are looking for extras.  The video began shooting yesterday, and continues until August 13.  The e-mail I received yesterday provides information for a casting call which takes place tomorrow afternoon in downtown Toronto.  For all you Torontonians who have e-mailed me in the past, about how to get into a Hype Williams production, this is your chance:

ATTENTION EVERYONE... CASTING CALL 

The Partners Film Company (416) 869-3500
53 ONTARIO STREET (SHERBOURNE AND QUEEN ST EAST) 
1 BLOCK EAST OF SHERBOURNE SOUTH OF QUEEN; BETWEEN ADELAIDE AND RICHMOND STS 

THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2003 (ONLY) 2:00PM - 6:00PM 

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING BACKGROUND AND PRINCIPAL TALENT FOR ASHANTI’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO AUG 6-13 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR: 

PARAMEDICS; POLICE OFFICERS; PAPARAZZI’S; NEWS REPORTERS; FANS; HOT GIRLS 
STREET CORNER THUGS; DRUGDEALERS; CRACKHEADS; CRASH SCENE ON-LOOKERS

ALL ETHNICITIES WELCOME AGES 20-35

(August 2, 2003)  MORE INFO ON UPCOMING ASHANTI MEGA-VIDEO
MTV.com has posted more information on the upcoming Hype Williams/Ashanti video.  The video will be shot more like a short-film or extended music video, and is expected to be shot on location in Spain in early-August.
click here to read article at mtv.com
(thanks to Kevin L. for the info)

(July 24, 2003)  HYPE WILLIAMS TO DIRECT UPCOMING J.LO VIDEO?
Word has it that Hype Williams may direct an upcoming video for Jennifer Lopez, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

(July 23, 2003)  HYPE WILLIAMS TO DIRECT UPCOMING ASHANTI VIDEO
MTV.com announced last week that Hype Williams is set to direct the next Ashanti video, Rain On Me.  No date has been set for the video shoot, but the article says it will be "very soon".  The last video that Hype directed was Blu Cantrell's Breathe, back in October 2002.
click here to read article at mtv.com
(thanks to Kevin L. for the info)

(May 11, 2003)  HYPE WILLIAMS TO DIRECT "THRILLA" | HYPE SIGNS DEAL WITH BLUE MOON GROUP
This past Monday, DarkHorizons.com posted that Variety magazine reported that Disney is developing a Jamaica-set 3D zombie horror flick titled Thrilla.  On Tuesday, DarkHorizons.com posted that Hype Williams was attached to develop the film project, but the site did not list a source.

In a press release issued last week, Hype Williams has signed with Blue Moon Group to consult and assist with their current and future artists' development.  Blue Moon Group is a holding company with subsidiaries providing services to the music, entertainment and film industry, Nebulous Records and Blue Moon Records.  Their studios produce music from all sorts of genres ranging from pop, rock, rap & dance.
(click here for press release at yahoo.com)

(April 16, 2003)  RSA FILMS ADDS NEW & RARE HYPE WILLIAMS COMMERCIAL CLIPS & BIO TO OFFICIAL SITE
The production company that Hype Williams is currently signed to, RSA Films, has recently revamped their official rsafilms.com website with a brand new, easy to navigate Flash site with a lot of information on Hype Williams and the other directors part of the RSA roster.  The site now includes an official bio for Hype, as well as Quicktime clips for some of his commercials, including the popular Gap Khaki Soul, the rarely seen Mastercard "Fairy Tale" commercial, the brand new Verizon commercial featuring James Earl Jones, and a rare Japanese commercial for Nike Basketball.  The clips come in separate HI or LO versions, and can be also viewed altogether in one large 30mb+ Quicktime file.

(March 10, 2003)  VIBE MAGAZINE | WEEKEND VIBE
Hype Williams is briefly mentioned in an article in the new issue of Vibe magazine (April 2003 with Hip Hop Hollywood on the cover).  The article Moving Pictures (p.140; by Cheo Hodari Coker) features hip-hop video directors that have recently, or are about to jump to feature films.  The article focuses on directors Joseph Kahn, Charles Stone III, Tim Story, Marcus Raboy, and Bille Woodruff.  Hype Williams is mentioned briefly in the article.  Hype and his movie Belly are used as an example of how a video director's film project may not run smoothly (there was constant conflict between Hype and the production company, Artisan, during the entire shoot of Belly in 1998).  The article also mentions that Hype is taking his time preparing for his next project, the live-action adaptation of the cartoon Speed Racer for Warner Bros.

Hype Williams was featured on the syndicated show Weekend Vibe last weekend.  The show is an extension of the hip-hop culture magazine Vibe.  Hype was featured in a segment focusing on hip-hop video directors, which also included interviews with Little X, Chris Robinson, and Sanaa Hamri.  The directors discussed such topics as their beginnings in videos, video budgets, main elements while they're filming, etc.
(thanks to gv for the info)

(January 28, 2003)  VERIZON COMMERCIALS
Hype Williams was in New York 2 weeks ago to shoot a pair of commercials for Verizon, one of which features actor James Earl Jones.
(thanks to JB for the info)

(January 18, 2003)  BLU CANTRELL REMIX VIDEO
The video for Breathe (remix) by Blu Cantrell feat. Sean Paul premiered Thursday on BET's 106 & Park.  The video is the same as the original Hype Williams-directed one, but with added scenes featuring Blu Cantrell & Sean Paul singing together.
(thanks to Kevin L. for the info)

(December 31, 2002 - January 1, 2003)  2002 YEAR-END REVIEW
The year 2002 was a pretty busy year for Hype Williams.  Although he only directed three videos, he had other projects to keep him busy.  The three videos he directed this year include On The Radio (Nelly Furtado), The Color of Love (Boyz II Men) (which he co-directed with Little X, Benny Boom, & Chris Robinson), and Breathe (Blu Cantrell).  Hype was also busy directing commercials for Sega, Reebok, & Toyota.  This year, Hype also secured a development deal with NBC, signed with production company RSA, and even released a DVD compilation of his videos.  In 2003, we hope to see Hype make a comeback to the music video scene, as well as hear more about his still-in-development movie adaptation of Speed Racer.

Archived News: 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | current