Filmmaking: 6 Things You Need to Know Before Filming a Music Video

The sky is the limit when directing and filming a music video. As it happens, there are no direct and strict rules when creating one. However, there is a template. And this template has been found to be very useful in recent times.

While the common template has become the most apparent outline that most directors and filmmakers utilize today, this does not mean that you should too. Even so, here are some of the most useful things that you may need to know before filming a music video:

Think Beyond The Video

When creating, directing, and filming a music video, the first thing that you would do for sure is to think about the video. Ironically, experts and pros recommend every newbie to think beyond the video. This means that you should think outside the box. Even if you are focused on imagining the actual video itself, try to think beyond it. 

Try to think instead of your goal. What is your goal in directing and filming the video? Are you doing it for free or for your next career move? You may also try to focus on the music, instead. You need not attend music lessons or any of the like in doing so. Just by simply understanding the lyrics and melody, you can already obtain a lot of ideas.

Things like these will help you think beyond the actual work, which are very essential as they can improve the outcome effectively.

Think About Your Story

Music videos always have a story. Whether the subject of the video is not focused on engaging the viewers with an actual story, every video still provides a clear outline of course. So, you should be very careful in creating the structure of the video. 

You can brainstorm ideas by listening to the song first. Also, you must converse with the artist about the video. Doing these things will help you come up with a very fitting story for the music.

Location, Location, Location

The same is true for the location. Once you’ve come up with the course of the story, you must know which locations will fit the plot. Depending on the song and story, you will be able to pinpoint the locations that you will be using for the video. 

It is worth noting that location plays an integral role in a music video. While real and actual locations outdoor can be very convincing, there are cases that using a studio, along with props and accessories, is more suitable.

Set The Stage

Setting a stage is not necessarily using an actual stage for the music video. This only means that your outline must still highlight the artist and their work. Although some may include an actual stage previewing the artist performing the song, this is not always the best choice for a music video.

Power The Lights

Just like in photography, lighting is a very crucial factor in videography. This is an important factor that you must consider when you are filming a music video. Before you start the whole process, make sure that you have the proper and adequate lighting system for the video. 

Also, ensure that the system has been already checked, tried, and tested before utilizing it in the actual filming. Accordingly, you may take advantage of the preparation period for perfecting the lights.

Consider The Coverage

Another thing that you must take into consideration is the coverage of the music video. This is, somehow, related to the story and location points. 

When you are brainstorming ideas for the story and location, you may want to include the coverage as well. Coverage will impact the overall appearance of the video. Every frame will certainly be impacted by the coverage. So, you must set a definite scope and limitation before you start filming the music video.

Conclusion

Filming a music video is not easy. There will be challenges and difficulties in the process. Even so, taking all aspects and factors into consideration will help you become more prepared for the actuality of the filming. And these six things are the most basic variables that you may need to watch out, especially if you really want to produce a great music video.

Author

Curtis Dean writes on behalf of Sage Music School where they base lessons on the science and research of the psychology of learning. Their effective teaching methods create confident and capable students who enjoy the happiness of making music. Social Media – https://www.facebook.com/SageMusicCo/ – https://twitter.com/sagemusicco – https://in.linkedin.com/company/sage-music