Hip-hop icon Warren G and director Karam Gill on what makes a great story
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Earlier this year, hip-hop legend Warren G and director Karam Gill released G-Funk, a documentary that details the rise of g-funk in the 1990s and the impact the West Coast sub-genre has had on both music and culture.
The documentary, which Warren G co-wrote, produced and composed music for, debuted as SXSW this year. Featuring interviews with Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Russell Simmons, and Wiz Khalifa, the 87-minute film chronicles the vital role that Warren G - whose 1994 hit ‘Regulate’ featuring Nate Dogg quickly became one of the most popular hip-hop songs of all time - played in the g-funk movement.
At SXSW, The Drum sat down with both Warren G and Gill to find out what they think makes a great story. For Gill, great stories are paced well and rooted in relatable experiences. Warren G said he believes great stories often involve “trials and tribulations” that people can relate to and empathize with — and also open doors to other people and experiences.
Warren G added that G-Funk is the best story he’s ever told because it’s true.
“It’s one of the best stories I’ve ever told because it’s real,” he said. “It’s uncut.”
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Other episodes in the series
Episode 1
Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles, on what makes a great story
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 3
Glenn Gainor, Sony Pictures Screen Gems exec on what makes a great story
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 4
Documentarian Cheryl Dunye on what makes a great story
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 5
Sony Pictures Screen Gems exec, Glenn Gainor, on successful brand integration in film
After 25 years in the entertainment business, Glenn Gainor, head of physical production at Sony Pictures Screen Gems, knows plenty about great films and stories. He also knows what it takes to create successful integration for brands — and points to the seminal ET/Reese's Pieces hookup as the gold standard of integration.
Episode 6
Prop master Scott Bauer on how brands can drive a story
As a story unfolds in film and TV, there are plenty of those who help craft the work. Though writers, producers, directors and actors get the spotlight much of the time, the rest of crew plays invaluable roles in making it all come to life.
Episode 7
Sir John Hegarty on the best brand story he’s told
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 8
Brand storyteller and film producer Tim Perell on great storytelling
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 9
Amir Bar-Lev, Long Strange Trip director, on passion in storytelling
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.
Episode 10
PopSugar's co-founder, Lisa Sugar, shares what makes a great story
What’s the Story? is a storytelling video series dedicated to learning what truly makes a great story, told through the lens of the world’s talent and practitioners of the craft in entertainment, marketing and beyond.