G324 Music Video 10 Step Guide

Step 1 - Limber Up Film some test footage of yourself experimenting with different camera techniques learn to lip-synch with a small segment of the song you have chosen do a karaoke multi-angle version of a track for fun Watch some music videos in the same genre as the one you are going to film and take notes on props, camera angles, locations etc Do test shots to try out effects that you may want to use Check any ‘quirks’ of the camera Make sure you have tripod (and ‘shoe’) to use Do you know the editing program? -experiment before you edit the main music video Have you got the music and an audible source?

Step 2 - choose the right track Be careful about what song you choose, it can be a mistake to go for a well-known artist or your favourite artist Make it short (3 mins 30 secs, maximum) Choose a track which stimulates some visuals Make sure the whole group agrees on the final choice! Be prepared to listen to the song a lot of times

Step 3: Write a treatment/plan of action Pitch for the material with a strong and simple idea Have a clear concept which is workable Be realistic in your plans Be original, use other students to inspire and guide, not to rip off Be prepared to compromise with the rest of the group Film the presentation for the blog Get a sense of what the conventions are. look closely at them and break them down to see how they work. How do they use verse and chorus? how do they use the beat and rhythm? how do they showcase the star? How much do the visuals relate to the lyrics? what's the concept?

Step 4: Plan for everything Storyboard- you can always shoot extra Plan people, places, props, costumes Get everyone’s mobile numbers Aim to shoot video early (next six weeks if possible,) not up against Jan 8th deadline Make sure your performers have rehearsed and know the words (they have to be up for it as well) Always remember the basics, tripod, camera (charged) Remember to work round work commitments, school commitments and things like the barge trip and other social activities Plan for the worst, logistics is the key word

Step 5: Use the Blog properly Use it to link ideas together, the glue of your work Videos that influence you (YouTube) research the genre in detail! Photos that give you ideas Take recce shots on location and post them Do an animatic of your storyboard Put up all your ideas including screengrabs of work in progress Be ‘media rich’ and use your blog as a ‘journey’

Step 6: The Shoot Shoot the performance at least four-five times with different set-ups, angles etc Make sure you have plenty of cutaways to objects, items of interest (why?) Experiment with extra angles and lighting changes Don’t forget: lots of close-ups and variety of shots Enthuse your performers- they must give it plenty! Shoot more than you think you will need Check the weather report Health and safety Locations, choice of clothes and correct props at all times

Step 7: the raw footage Organise it so its easy to find Don’t capture stuff you don’t need, it is very hard getting the music video just right Break it into manageable chunks Upload as soon as you can Be critical with your footage, if it doesn’t work, shoot again

Step 8: The Edit Synch up performances first Get the whole picture rather than tiny details Cut and cut again Aim for a dynamic piece of work (rhythm is key) Do any effects work last Upload a rough cut to your blog and get feedback asap Be ruthless with yourself, if you like a couple of shots but they don’t seem right in the context of the whole video then don’t use them

Step 9: Audience feedback Get feedback wherever you can and the sooner this comes the better Upload video to your blog via YouTube Post links on twitter Send it to the actual artist? Ask for honest opinions, don’t just ask your mates

Step 10: The final polish Unlike the real world, you’ll have to produce an evaluation Take advice about what is needed in your evaluation (read the ‘bible’ Make use of your blog at all times and when finishing the blog order everything correctly

Pete Fraser - Head Examiner The video lasts at least as long as the track (can be longer if you have an intro or outro or both) The video features the artist/band quite prominently The video features some element of performance- singing and playing instruments (usually miming) and often dancing or acting too The video has some kind of concept along with the track The video does not feature a complete narrative but the concept may involve fragments of narrative Different genres of music produce slightly different visual conventions in music videos