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Video

Style: Continuous single-take

FADE IN: Quick timelapse of past to present, ending on a child watching Friends on tv and the tv quickly shifts to interview of Queen Latifah explaining how Living Single inspired Friends.

TRANSITION TO: Elvis lookalike in a chitlin circuit bar while watching Willie Mae Thornton perform, who has a bottle of Uncle Nearest next to her on stage. 

TRANSITION TO: Lewis Latimer holding a lightbulb filament as he sits in an office waiting room.

Latimer puts away a Nearest-themed flask and walks towards Thomas Edison’s office

TRANSITION TO: Older black man showing a younger white boy how to distill whiskey.

The man signs a bottle “Nearest” and places it on the shelf.  He takes a separate Nearest bottle, pours a glass and slides it across the bar.

CUT TO: Close up montage of hidden figures (Thornton/Latimer) slowly turning towards the camera, ending with Uncle Nearest.

CUT TO:  Voiceover actor reveal, delivering last line, picking up the sliding glass of whiskey from the bar while simply raising a toast.

Audio

Direction: Narrated by Missy Elliott

VO: Since the beginning of time we always hear about the superstars, the prominent trailblazers, the supposed trendsetters. But rarely do we hear about the stories of those responsible for their greatness.

VO: Whose crowns were taken for others to rock.

Bartender (OS): Would you like another Mr. Presley? (Square bottle similar to Jack is poured in a glass)

Presley (engulfed by Thornton): Who’s that on stage?

VO: Whose lights were dimmed in order to let others shine

Secretary: Mr. Edison will see you now.

VO: And more often than not, those stories lay dormant. But they never die.

Uncle Nearest: Now this is how you do it Jack

VO: Because the real, always survives. Cuz that truth, that story, that flavor...

VO: is undeniable.