Music Video Advice?

[iFILM]

I shoot with the DVX and have been making shorts for quite some time now but decided to try a music to broaden my resume
i got the approval from a signed band, but still unknown to most, called Anchors For Arms (http://www.myspace.com/anchorsforarms)
it should be a fun first shoot as they seem like cool guys and the fast pacing of the music should be a lot of fun to shoot/edit
i was thinking though, I have no idea the best way to do this!
the video as of now is going to be in a basement type show atmosphere, with a lot of energy and everyone going nuts (crowd of all my friends who have agreed to come and help me out). thats what the band seems to want and that should be fun to shoot as well

now comes my problem...

do i make them do the song over and over, so i can get a lot of cuts and such? being that I only have one camera, my dvx and ill shoot the video in 24p

what are your suggestions to going about the shoot? i need all the tips i can get and thought who better to ask then the DVXuser community

thanks again, always really appreciate the help

 

[j]

>do i make them do the song over and over, so i can get a lot of cuts and such?

Yes.

Tell them to expect to play the song at least 30 times. No kidding.

If you have crowd shots, be sure to plan to shoot those at the apex of the crowd attendence. Figure the crowd will be the most about an hour after call time then diminish from there. They will usually last about 30 minutes before they start to get bored, so work fast on those wide shots. Ask the band to find 10 dedicated fans who will be commited to spending the entire day for fill as necessary.

Those are my suggestions based upon crowd shooting experience, have fun!

 

[iFILM]

wow thanks
yeah my guess after reading your views on it would be to shoot a wide shot of the whole thing first while the crowd isn't bored yet and then work around from there

 

[Phil Brown]

20-30 takes sounds about right - depending on how you intend to cut it.

See if the band will spring for a cheap muslin greenscreen http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/tubetape/the-7/Chromakey-Green-Muslin-Backdrop/Detail (about $90) and shoot 4-5 takes against it. That way you can transport the band anywhere you can imagine and have a lot more creative fun with the clip.

If you decide to use a green screen, shoot each band member playing the entire track individually against the green screen as well - unlimited creative options if you do.

Also try a few takes moving through slowly through the crowd while the band is playing to give the viewer a POV that makes them feel they are in the room.

Some colored gels on lights can also help to create a particular mood.

Phil Brown