The first version of the music video for "Heard 'Em Say" was filmed live-action and harbors a distinct Christmas theme. In the video, Kanye West played a homeless man watching over three fictional children who sneak into Macy's and stay overnight sometime near the Christmas season. For the original video, West hired French film director, screenwriter and producer Michel Gondry. The auteur is best known for his several innovative music videos with The White Stripes and Björk and has also been celebrated for his 2004 film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". He came from directing small music videos in Paris for his own independent rock band Oui Oui, in which he served as a drummer. West was the one who took the initiative to track Gondry down, insisting that they work together. According to Gondry, West begged him for two years before he finally accepted the request to do his video. Even though "Heard 'Em Say" marked the first time Gondry directed a music video for West, it was not the first time that the two collaborated with each other. West had provided a live performance during his appearance in Gondry's forthcoming 2005 documentary film, "Dave Chappelle's Block Party". In addition, the director played live drums on "Diamonds From Sierra Leone", the lead single for "Late Registration". It was however the very first time Levine and Gondry had worked together. Levine imparted, "I've been dying to work with him forever. I was just blown away that I got the opportunity. Then I read the treatment and I found out that I would being a little bit of, you know, video acting, which is funny."