(Revised 5/15/98)
The music video concept for "Money Ain't a Thing" will take us on a journey into the minds of JD and JAY Z. The clip will incorporate all of JD's initial ideas, but it will center around a conversation the two have as they talk about how they want their video to go down.

Poolside: We open to a wide establishing shot of a countryside mansion. It's a warm summer day as birds chirp and a breeze rustles in the trees. A beautiful copper skinned woman dives into the pool and swims its length, she rises out of the water (extreme slow-motion)_ dripping wet, and makes her way over to the others. At the same time our camera follows a waiter (Christ tucker) carrying a tray of tropical drinks. he approaches two guys and two girls (high profile actresses) kicking back in lawn chairs next to the pool. The waiter passes the drinks out, "Here you are, Mr. Dupri...and for you, Mr. Jay Z..." and so on. We still don't see them. From overhead the camera travels left to right past Jay Z, the two girls, and finally stopping on JD (they're all laying back working on their tans). We see Usher at the other end of the pool in a floating lounge chair.

Live Sound: Laying back as if daydreaming (with sunglasses and no shirt on) Jermaine says how he can't wait to direct his next video. Everyone is like, "Yeah, right, Jermaine!!" With hands in the air he says, "For real...Jay Z, can't you see it...?" We cover the scene in a series of comedic close-ups and expressions.
JD's Imaginary Video: We cut to JD and his girl (Tracey Bingham) sitting on a horse in a lush green pasture. Insert Shot: we cut to a fleet of Range rovers and a couple of other luxury cars that approach in the distance...from the entrance of a long driveway heading towards the pasture (kicking up dust) -- intense music heard in the background...

We hear Jay Z's voice, "Yeah, then my girl rides up." We see a Selma Hayek character ride up as Jay Z leans against a Jag ( or other car) with cigar in hand. She takes off her leather backpack and hands it to Jay Z, he quickly glances at the contents inside ($$$$$).

JD says: "First one back to the house gets all the money..."

JZ says: "Betcha a $100,000.00 -- and that my girl takes ya." He gives her a nod and she smiles.

The track kicks in and the race begins, we see JD racing Jay Z's girl, as she takes an early lead. We cover this from a variety of angles and camera speeds.

We see a quick shot back at the pool and Jermaine is now standing up, excited as he continues to explain his idea. We cut back to the race, where we see the two neck and neck, but at the last minute JD wins. Jay Z performs against the Jag during the race and also in another larger performance space with Jay Z.

Poolside: Jay Z says, "Horses?? Naw, man, we need cars, fly ones." We cut back to the end of the horse race where we see ranch hands leading the horses away -- a fleet of "Hot" cars are parked off to the side. Jay Z gestures like...let's do this (meaning race). JD throws down a bag of diamonds on one of the cars and turns to his girl -- Jay Z laughs.

The Race Begins: The tires screech and the two cars speed off and make their way through a winding country road. JD and his girl race in one car (she drives) and Jay Z and his girl race in the other (he drives). JD performs his verse leaning out the window, taunting Jay Z as they race side by side. At one point the two cars fly past a couple of country cops parked on the side of the road (they fumble their coffee and donuts as they race by). The two Dukes of Hazard/Cannonball Run-like cops begin chasing the cars, but eventually JD and Jay Z lose them. The two cars race neck and neck, but this time Jay Z pulls ahead to win the race.

Poolside: Everyone at the pool is cracking up as JD continues to describe how the video will go.

The last verse will incorporate six hot and steamy dancers. The performance will take place in a large foyer-like area in the house or other location. It will be covered in a variety of camera angles and speeds that highlight JD and Jay Z's performance.

Ending: We go back to the pool where the guys are now joined by a few other friends, at this point Jermaine's video idea comes to a close. People are like, "yeah, that would be hot." We tie everything together when Jay Z stands up to get in the pool -- he empties his pockets: money clip, bracelet, and then the small black bag of diamonds that he won in the car race (the velvet bag opens slightly so we catch a glimpse of the sparkling diamonds).

The video will incorporate all of the aspects from JD's original concept, but with a different edge. What will be unique about this video is that we'll be able to showcase aspects of JD's and Jay Z's personalities in a fun manner -- while highlighting the creative input that the artists give to the process of making a video. All of the competitive scenes between JD and Jay Z will be seen in a comical, playful way, never too serious.

The video will be shot in 35mm color film, and special attention will be paid to wardrobe and styling. The look of the video will be perfect for a summer release.

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