Popularized by MTV in the 1980s, music videos managed to survive the evolving market, even catching the attention of those with short attention spans. These short films provide a multidimensional experience to listeners, making music consumption so much better. But with so many forms of entertainment available these days, how can you make your music video a big hit?
1. Use the Right Gear
Start producing professional-looking videos by using the right gear. Go for a video camera with a refined autofocus system and high focus accuracy. These functions will make it easier to capture the full range of an actor’s movements. It should also be able to film at a high resolution for extended periods and accommodate different lenses.
2. Cast Great Actors and Crew Members
Create a great music video by having the right people on board. Consider a person’s technical and interpersonal skills during casting. After all, working with the right people ensures that your shoots stay fun and productive. A good rule of thumb would be to get as passionate and experienced people on your team. This way, you’ll spend less time managing your team so you can focus on the creative process.
3. Have a Comprehensive Storyboard
Memorable music videos are the by-product of effective planning. To create a seamless and coherent output, the story flow has to be laid out so everyone’s on the same page when you’re on set. Design a storyboard aligned with your manpower and budget. This will streamline production and help you save resources.
4. Find the Right Shoot Location
Unless you have a customizable studio, creating an impressive music video will depend on your shoot location. Consult your storyboard and brainstorm with your team members to identify the best place where you can shoot. If possible, choose a location where you can shoot the entire video so you won’t have to spend time and resources moving from one place to another. Visit the site beforehand and plan where specific scenes will be filmed to maintain a smooth workflow.
5. Stick to a Distinct Style
When creating your music video, remember to commit to a single aesthetic and remember to draw inspiration from the song you’re working with. If you’re going to mix multiple styles, make sure they still achieve a sense or visual and stylistic coherence on screen. Keep in mind that you need to strike a balance between the visual and auditory aspects of the finished product to deliver a truly satisfying experience.
6. Use Appropriate Film Techniques
Music videos serve as a visual accompaniment to any track. For this to work, the video should complement the overall mood or message of the song. And this boils down to using the right film techniques—some videos, for instance, get their message across through traditional steady pans, while others deliver their message more powerfully through sideways camera movements. For example, an upbeat song can appear “bland” when shot with a stationary camera. But using track-in shots or Dutch angle shots can make all the difference.
7. Leave Room for Improv
While it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want, never underestimate the impact of random bursts of inspiration. Improvisation can make your music video stand out because even the most unstaged moments have the power to leave a distinct mark on your viewers. Encourage artists to just let their creative juices flow so they don’t stick solely to the storyboard or script.
8. Shoot from Different Angles
Get as much footage as you can to have a surplus of raw materials. Do this by shooting the same scenes from different angles. If your budget allows it, you can use multiple cameras at the same time for each take. You can also film candid moments that capture organic interactions the way no other type of staged footage can.
9. Edit Like a Pro
Knowing how to use post-processing software means you’ll be able to steer the direction of the project up to the very end. Although you have the option to hire a video editor, it’s still better to learn the ropes. So play around with color gradients, transitions, and other special effects. Even if you decide to outsource editing work later on, being familiar with post-production tools will bring you one step closer to achieving your creative vision.
10. Have Fun
Finally, sit back and enjoy! Just like other forms of art, how you feel while creating your music video will likely reflect on the outcome. If you’re happy with the final output, that energy will definitely make your video more enjoyable for other people to see. Take the craft seriously, but make sure everyone’s having fun while they’re hard at work.
Video making is a fun, yet challenging endeavor. In a content-rich era, it takes a lot to stand out. But at the end of the day, creating a work of art you are proud of is all that matters.
