Artists get stuck on trying to do the same thing that other people are doing. Differences are what set a director apart. Chris Cunningham is not Hype Williams, and in their differences they are amazing at what they do.

For awhile, I was writing treatments for other directors. I actually wrote the "Testify" treatment for Common.

I was writing for a few directors, one who will remain nameless, and we were working with this rap group. The idea was an old school block party that was just in the form of people dancing and having a good time. Then the director suggested we have them form a "Soul Train" line and show them eating fried chicken while dancing down the "Soul Train" line.

I can take a joke and I love inappropriate humor, but I thought that was completely insane. There was no way I was going to write that and feel okay about it. At the end of the day, in certain areas of our lives there are going to be situations where we sell ourselves slightly, but it's important that, as much as you can, you understand your impact as an artist.

The treatment for Common's "Testify" video was written by Vashtie