Music Video Pre-Production Questions

D

dwnsthballer

Well-known member
Hey all,

Lately I've been getting into a lot of music video production. I've been getting a lot of what seems to me, unrealistic deadlines (two weeks from receiving the song to having to have a finished product), and it is bothering me. Realistically I'd like to spend atleast a month of just coming up with ideas and planning and getting things organized before I ever pick up a camera, but is that to much time? A lot of local artist are in a hurry to get videos done these days and I try to talk them into taking their time for it, but as a broke college student, I don't want to lose to many opportunities.

So here are my questions:

1) How long do you normally spend on pre-production for music videos? From creatiing concepts to treatments to gathering materials and resources?

2) I'm sure this is pretty simple, but in the music videos you see on television, how do they go about finding the large houses and mansions to shoot their videos in? Friends?

I'm sure I have more questions, but for now, #1 is my main concern. Any comments are appreciated.
 
State film commissions exist to help you find locations. Here in TN, for example,
I emailed about using the Tennessee State Penitentiary, 100+ years old and the coolest building ever,for a music video and got prompt replies and 125 photos to look at.
The cost to shoot there: zero! Just need insurance, as with any location.
 
Thanks for the response. I'll see if NC has a system similiar to that (which I'm sure they do if it's a state commission).

How much did insurance cost you to shoot your music video?
 
Was the insurance per video project meaning do you already have insurance for whatever you shoot whenever you need to shoot or do you go and get insurance per project.

I just asked some similiar questions in my Music Video Planning thread...sorry didnt see this one until now.

Downsthballer,

These videos you are doing are you making money off them? If folks are paying you a nice chunk of change to shoot their video then I would take the time and make it look nice but if folks want a FREE video or don't want to come out of the pocket then I would give them 1-2 locations and give them a bare bones basic video....it all goes back to the "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR" and if they didnt pay anything, they really can't complain! LOL!

Does anyone know what the process is for the major big budget videos you see on TV? I know they shoot those in 2-3 days but how much pre-production planning goes into them and how much editing time is spent?
 
That's what I would like to know (regarding the last question).

I'm only making like $100 from the videos I do now, and that's including the budget. I make it look good for $100, and I definitely don't want to make a good song look bad and then have my name labeled on it, but I do see where you are coming from.

I'm raising my price of videos now that I have about 5 videos that show off my abilities, but we all have to start somewhere. ;)
 
WOW your robbing yourself only charging a $100 a video. You should bump it up to at least $1,000 or a little under that. People don't relealize that shoots like this can be time consuming and you need to be paid accordingly! If they can't pay you the full amount then put it in writing that you want 1/2 the money up front and get the balance when the editing is done but don't deliver that master to them until you have a check for the remaining balance!
 
Well, I actually just raised my prices to $1,500 :D

I have the justification for it now (past projects), and I have a few people interested in still doing work for that price, so everything should be good now. I'm just still wondering what's a reasonable amount of time to spend planning for a music video.

I would think a month or maybe even more, but lately artist have been wanting to shoot within two weeks of our first meet.
 
You might want to go out some time in your spare time and just do some location scouting. Jot down what it is, where it is, and anything else. Maybe even take a snap shot with a digital camera. Keep a log of locations so when you have a music video shoot in the works, you can save time by going in your log and see if certain locations would work for certain scenes or setups. I used to do that when I was planning on working on some short films. The actual video should only take you 2-3 days to shoot if that. As for the editing 2-3 weeks maybe? I guess it would depend on how elaborate the treatment is and how much tweaking your going to do.
 
I know this thread is a little old but yeah dwnsthballer 2 weeks actually seems like average for music video planning. Basically when the song gets hot they want a video made asap so they can capitalize on there buzz. If you plan on doing this alot you shot come up with music video ideas ahead of time that way when a project comes up that matches your idea you wil be ready or if something changes and you have to change the shoot you can just go back to something you know will work and get it done.
 
Wow, never thought to see this topic come to life. ;)

Well I figured if a label was smart, they'd know they're single ahead of time and notify a director and crew that they want a video, so that way, the video and the single can be released together. I know atleast in the hip hop world, one usually follows the other.

Then again, I'm not a professional (yet), so you may be right, but that sucks if it's true! Smart idea though on premeditated ideas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top