Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Me

I had a chance to rent Jennifer Lopez’s compilation DVD The Reel Me the other night, and I must tell you it is an outstanding collection of music videos. Released in 2003, the DVD contains interviews with Jen on each of the first sixteen videos she put out. She talks with MTV guy Sway about the concept behind the video and then after each interview snippet the actual video follows.

Since Jen is an actress, it’s no wonder she loves to talk about the process of video making. Until other artists, however, Jennifer knows the importance of editing, film, flow, and storyboarding. Hearing her speak about each of the videos adds an added element to creativity behind each one. I learned a few things about making videos and I’m sure you will, too.

To start you off, here’s a clip of the intro:

As you can see, The Reel Me covers sixteen of Jen’s videos, from the very first If You Had My Love up until the I’m Glad Remix. As a fan, I found this DVD facinating. I always love to hear the “behind the scenes” story on how music gets written and made.

Sway started off by chatting with Jen about working with Marc Anthony. Now, this was in 2003 and before she and Marc were married (or even dating). So it was interesting to view this now and see her talking about him. Jen said, “We’re so much alike. That’s why we get along so well. We’re both Puerto Rican and from the Bronx.” She said they both shared similar childhood experiences and really “got” where the other came from. Jennifer said:

“We ate the same food. Listened to the same music. Ran on the same streets.”

Jennifer also praised Marc’s acting abilities and said it was a real pleasure to work with him. They even talked about how hot and heavy they seemed to get in the video… again very interesting now that they’re married and have babies! Here are a couple more highlights:

Love Don’t Cost a Thing
When discussing the video “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” Jennifer admitted that many people think that the video was about P. Diddy, who she was dating at the time. In the video, Jen gets gifts from her boyfriend but what she’d rather have is his love and attention in person. Need a refresher? Here’s the video:

Jennifer said the video was NOT directed at Puffy at all, and she assured him of that. Of course, at the time she and Puffy were just about to break up. In fact, she met Cris Judd on the set of “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and they started dating shortly after.

You’ll notice at the end of the video Jen takes her shirt off. She said she had that in mind when they started filming, but it was kind of a surprise. She did exactly ONE take on that, and if they got the shot, great, but she wasn’t about to do it a second time! (Can’t blame her there.)

The “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” song was on the J.Lo album. Jen talked about her nickname “J-Lo” and said it all started really with the fans. When she was dating Diddy some of his rapper friends, like Heavy D, used to call her “Jenny Lo.” Then she started seeing signs saying “J-Lo” in the audience when she’d perform. And a new name was born!

Alive

Jennifer doesn’t often do a video for a ballad, but she was very moved by her experience in having to act as a battered woman in the movie Enough. She wrote the song for the movie along with her husband at the time, Cris Judd. While the song wasn’t in the movie, she did get to sing it live Oprah.

The vocal is very simple and beautiful, and shows off J-Lo’s sweet voice.

I’m Real
Both the song “I’m Real” and the Remix are favorites of mine, so it was especially nice to hear Jen talk about the concepts behind each one. “I’m Real” was about a girl traveling through a town and the adventures she encounters. In the remix version, it’s all about a urban look and feel. Ja Rule’s voice and rap going along perfectly with Jen’s tone:

I’m Gonna Be Alright
In the video “I’m Gonna Be Alright” was influenced by Spanish Harlem and the movie Taxi Driver. (That’s why Jen is wearing the big floppy hat and is leaning against the gate in the beginning.) Once again, the video has an extremely unique feel, and is unlike anything else that Jennifer has done.

Jenny from the Block
“Jenny from the Block” is perhaps Jen’s most famous video so far. It starred her then boyfriend Ben Affleck, and made fun of the fact that paparazzi were constantly after them. She said when they were filming the video, there were actually paparazzi there. (Rather ironic.)

All I Have
This is another favorite of mine. First of all, how great is it that Jen did this video with LL Cool J? And second, the winter scenes just make the video.

Jen said the concept behind the video was just the thought of breaking up around the holidays. When it’s snowing, or Christmastime, it makes it especially hard to end a relationship. Jen said LL was professional, talented, and had no ego whatsoever. She also mused aloud that perhaps they should do a movie together. (I say: ABSOLUTELY!)

Baby I Love You
In this video Jen wanted just a camera focused on her. A simple yet raw look, washed out quality, so that the emotion of the song could come through.

I’m Glad
the video for “I’m Glad” is the most ambitious she’s ever done. The concept began with Jen’s desire to dance in a video. The last few she did before “I’m Glad” were story oriented, and Jen wanted to return to her roots. The director came up with the idea to recreate Flashdance, and at first Jen thought he was crazy! They even used the same red teddy that was in the original video. Jen admitted that she worked out like a maniac before filming. The editors also offered to retouch Jen to make her look skinnier (and shave down her thighs) and true to form Jen declined. She was happy with having a little jiggle! (Don’t we love her?)

Jennifer said looking through her video collection is a lot like looking through a scrapbook for her. She remembers where she was and who she was with when making each one. I say, if you’re a J-Lo fan, you’ll enjoy The Reel Me. Rent it today.