Kanye West is a well-known musician with millions of fans across the world. His music videos have always been talked about for their creativity and production values that showcase a highly polished and meticulous approach to filmmaking. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the behind the scenes of a few of his music videos, specifically “Runaway,” “Fade,” and “Power.”
“Runaway” is one of Kanye West’s most celebrated videos that was released in 2010. The video was directed by Kanye, and he also starred in it alongside model Selita Ebanks. The video was shot in Prague, and it was inspired by the story of the “Ugly Duckling.” The video begins with a shot of a giant phoenix bird crashing into the Earth, and the rest of the video follows Kanye and Selita’s journey through a series of surreal and abstract landscapes.
The production of “Runaway” was an elaborate affair that took months of planning and preparation. The video was shot on 35mm film, which gave it a timeless and classic feel. The team also had to create a lot of the sets from scratch, including the giant dinner table that appears towards the end of the video. The giant white bird that appears in the first shot was also a complicated special effect that involved the use of CGI.
The costumes and makeup in “Runaway” were also a major part of the production. The video’s stylist, Renelou Padora, worked with Kanye on the various looks that he and Selita wore throughout the video. The feathered dresses that Selita wore in the opening scene were designed by Martin Izquierdo, who had previously worked on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The next music video we’re going to look at is “Fade,” which was released in 2016. The video was directed by Eli Linnetz, and it featured Teyana Taylor. The music video was inspired by ’80s and ’90s workout videos, and it featured Teyana dancing in a gymnasium.
The production of “Fade” was a relatively straightforward affair compared to “Runaway.” The majority of the video was filmed in a gymnasium, and the team had to recreate the look and feel of ’80s workout videos. This involved a lot of neon lighting, spandex, and leg warmers.
The main challenge for the production team was getting Teyana’s body into shape for the video. She had to undergo a rigorous training program for several months to prepare for the shoot. The makeup and hairstyling for “Fade” were also very elaborate, with Teyana wearing a lot of body glitter and having her hair styled in a long ponytail.
Finally, we have “Power,” which was released in 2010. The video was directed by Marco Brambilla, and it was inspired by Michelangelo’s painting, “The Last Judgment.” The video features Kanye in a regal outfit and a large room that was filled with half-naked women and other surreal imagery.
The production for “Power” was one of the most extensive and expensive of Kanye’s career. The video was shot on a custom-made set that was designed to look like a classical painting. The entire room was lined with gold leaf, and the floor was made of white marble.
The half-naked women in the video were also a major part of the production. The team had to cast over 100 women and cover them in gold body paint. The makeup team also had to create a lot of intricate headpieces and jewelry to complete the look.
The final shot of the music video is one of its most iconic moments. It features Kanye exploding into a pile of gold dust. This was a complicated special effect that involved the use of CGI and pyrotechnics.
In conclusion, behind the scenes of Kanye West’s music video production is a highly meticulous and elaborate affair. Each video is carefully planned and executed to showcase the creative and artistic vision of Kanye and his team. From the elaborate sets to the intricate costumes and makeup, each video is a work of art that showcases the skill and talent of everyone involved in its production.
