Planning
A music video is like a short film. It requires multiple shots and scenes to tell a story in a short and sharp time frame. When mapping out your film clip design first do some research into other clips. Identify what is popular, but also think about what you can do differently to separate your clip from the rest. If you are stuck on ideas, let us help you by suggesting a few:
- Shoot the whole clip in one single, continuous shot.
- Use black and white with one additional colour.
- Try using a Time Lapse
- Shoot the clip backwards, than reverse it in post-production.
It’s also important to figure out a budget for your clip. Don’t believe for a second that money can limit your creative potential when producing a music video. For instance, if you don’t have enough money to hire a videographer, or even an expensive and fancy Canon MK III, see what rental resources you have. If you’re a University student, use their media services to your advantage. If you are limited on resources, then your smart phone could even work. If you think we are crazy suggesting an iPhone, then take a look at this clip that won the iPhone film festival.
Shot with iPhones, the clip uses creativity to overcome quality. Not only is the style unique, it also gains a lot of exposure because of the devices that were used to capture it. Phones these days have full HD functionality, making the handy camera almost obsolete. It’s not quite up to the standards of DSLR and film cameras, but its pretty damn good.
Crowd Funding
If you want to get your music video professionally made; yet you’re strapped for cash, crowd funding is something to consider. Getting your buddies to help out may be an obvious idea, but when it comes to funding, the Internet is your best friend. Web platforms for crowd funding are popping up all the time, and at the moment Kick Starter is a popular choice, even used to fund 90’s pop group TLC’s latest album. All you need to do is have some rewards in mind in return for pledges and watch the offers roll in.
If you want to go old school, a fundraiser such as a backyard gig or party can be a great idea, and advertising on social media platforms will definitely come in handy to spread the word. Charge at the door and set up a little bar, or have BYO and accept donations. There are no shortage of options, and ensures you will be having fun whilst bringing in the dollars.
Final Cut
When it comes to video production, filming is only half the work. It’s the post-production stages where the real magic happens. A professional editor can change the whole dynamic of your music video. They can make something good, brilliant. Editing does come at a cost though, so if you do decide to go pro, save a large portion of your budget. You can find some experienced editors just from a quick Google search. A good editor can be upwards of $130 per hour, and over $1000 a day. Don’t worry though, for a small job, only a few hours would be necessary if all of your videos are in order.
If you are looking to get post-production work done at a cheaper cost, put out ads for freelancers looking to gain experience in editing. If you’re an up and coming band, then support others who are starting fresh in the media industry. Most junior editors will do the job for free, or for a small fee, as the experience benefits them for future work.
Promote It
You’ve just produced your first ever music video. You want it to be seen, but how do you get people to watch it? There are a number of ways to promote your new clip. One great way is to see if any music blogs or websites want to host your exclusive premiere. A video premiere can gain exposure from audiences who might not be familiar with your band, and also provides a sense of exclusivity with your work.
Teaser clips also serve as a great promotion tool on social media. Short and sharp clips on Facebook and Instagram are gaining a lot of attention in the marketing world due to their engaging manner; it only makes sense that you use these tools to your advantage. Edit a short 15-second clip that gives audiences a sneak peek at your work. Make sure its engaging and leaves viewers wanting to see more.