My First music Video

S

steev'sHVX

Well-known member
ok heres the deal. i own an hvx200, 4gb p2 macbook pro with fcp. real basic. a rapper came up to me and wants me to do a video for a mix tape sunday and monday and it be done by tuesday. its a 4 min song. i pimped myself and am pretty confident i can do it, and he is to but i feel like i dont know everything i should so. what should i keep in mind? any advice opinions effects anything to help to make top quality shieet.
 
Wow this is a really wide question.
1. Learn how to use your camera bu heart (always looks bad to check where the record button is located, or why no sound is coming out)
2. check, double check tripple check your recording format. 720p/24PN (not 24p) is the best, you can also use 720p/30PN to match the NTSC framerate.
1. Is it a live recording ? Get an external recorder to post sync your dound. Is it a recorded music, get it uncompressed (wav or aif for final cut, MP3 ... bad bad bad !)
3. Light, space, battery, memory (how long will you be able to shoot)
4. TEST EVERYTHING !
5. TEST EVERYTHING AGAIN !
6. Pack everything in one space, write your own check list, and CHECK AGAIN !
7. CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES ! (and get a spare battery!)
7. Make sure you know what your post producion workflow will be (mac, P2CMS, Final Cut, RAID0 / RAID1 drives etc.)
8. Have fun ! (no fun = not a goot shooting)
 
...and on the more musical and less technical side, if he is performing an already recorded song, bring a boom box and have him rap along (not just lip sync) with the track. Take him to 3 or 4 urban looking locations, even if just 20 feet apart and shoot him all the way through, beginning to end. Make sure each shot is a distinctly different camera angle. Get down low or up high, whatever it takes. Hand hold the camera for at least one take, with image stabilization on, and keep the camera moving. Then take the clips, drop them in the timeline above each other, get the music synced and use the toggle to cut between them to the beat of the music. This should give you a better than average looking beginner video.


Just looked back at the original post and saw it is a mix session, so my advice does not apply, but I am unable to delete. Maybe it will work for someone else.
 
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Wow, Phenixone is right, that is a big question. I also agree with everything he has said. Now, my question is exactly what kind of music video are you trying to make? Is it a video of a live performance, or is it a "Concept" piece, where the band will perform to a pre-recorded song? I have made a few guerrilla music videos and this is the biggest question. If you are shooting a mix session, some of this might or might not apply. Just remember, coverage, coverage, coverage.
If you are going to have the band perform to a pre-recorded piece of music, the issue is going to be syncing the audio to the pictures. There are several ways to do this. One way that I have used with great success is to get a copy of the pre-recorded music, in the best quality you can get it. Phenixone is right, mp3 is bad. You want either .wav or .aif files that are 48k sampling, 16 bit (DV standard), but if not, CD standard (44.1k sampling., 16 bit). Just remember, if you bring CD audio into FCP, you will need to render the audio in the timeline, no big deal. Now, what I have done, as the cheap guerilla way to sync up the audio to the performance, is to take the audio, put it into FCP (or an audio editor) and make a new recording of it, with sync marks at the head and tail. What I use as sync marks are two one second long 1000hz audio tones, one second apart, with a one second pause, right before the song starts. I would then also put a two second silent slug before this and put the whole thing, two second silent slug, two one second long 1000hz audio tones, one second apart, followed by one second silent slug, at the tail of the recording.
Now what I have done before is then burn this recording to a CD and use it as the play back audio for the shoot. The way it works is you play back the audio from the CD you made, loud enough so the band can hear it and perform to, and that it records onto the camera audio recoded from the on-board mic. A CD boom box works fine for this. The way it works is, you play back the audio from the CD you made, the band performs to it and you shoot them performing while recording the play back audio on the camera audio. When you get the footage back to edit, all you have to do is put the high quality audio, with the sync marks into a FCP timeline, with first frame being the first frame of the 1000hz audio tone on the heads. You can then trim the video footage you shot, with the sync reference audio, recorded by the on-board mic to the first frame of the first 1000hz audio tone sync mark, put it into the timeline to match the high quality audio recording sync mark and then delete the camera audio. You then have a sequence where the visuals should match the pre-recorded audio. You then have reference to cut the video in FCP.
Now using this method, what I have done is shot a several master shots of the band performing to the song, then start the song all over and get all of my coverage of the band, CU of the singer (or Rapper), CUs of the other band members, then associated two shots, ect. Now the downside of this method is that the coverage you shoot, to make sure it is synced, needs to be shot from beginning of the song, so that you are sure to get the sync marks to match up in editing. The one thing that you need to remember when shooting is that not all coverage need to be synced.
Ok, that's the way that I have done it before, old school guerilla style, with a CD boom box, ect. What I would suggest that you do, since you have a Mac book, is a little different. If you are dealing with a pre-recorded song like we said, I would take that song into FCP build the sync marks as noted above then put that audio into a sequence timeline, put slug video into the sequence. On that sequence I would then put the effects filter, "Timecode print", then render the sequence. With this, on FCP, on your Mac Book, what you have now is virtually, a timecode slate, that you can play back the audio from that will not only have synced audio, but also, an exact frame (pretty much) timecode visual reference that you can use to sync to when editing.
The way that this would work, on set, is you run audio out from the Mac Book, to some type of PA system or loud speaker system so that the performers can hear it and perform to. You play back the pre-recorded audio, with the sync marks and timecode print while recording the audio with the on-board camera mic. You also, at the head of each take, record the timecode print from the FCP playback, visually, from a cu of the Mac Book screen. What this will give you is both audio sync marks, which you can use as back up sync when editing, and which can be used by the band to sync their performance to the pre-recorded playback and you will have timecode, linked to the pre-recorded audio in FCP for perfect sync when editing. Now shooting the Mac Book screen may cause issues with rolling bars across the screen. You will need to test, test, test this system. I would suggest setting you camera to the best visuals you want for the video and setting you Mac Book screen preferences to make it as clear as possible on the video. See if you can change the refresh rate or other parameters to make it the best you can.
What this system, of using your Mac Book as the timecode slate to play back the pre-recorded audio, gives you is the ability to move through the song and get synced coverage without playing back the whole song, like my CD boom box guerilla method above. Just record the timecode print from the Mac Book screen at the head, or tail, of any short sequence of song you shoot and you should be able to get your coverage, synced to the pre-recorded audio, without shooting the whole song from that angle.
Now, there is an issue that you are going to have to figure out as you shoot. Performing to a pre-recorded track is not easy for some musicians; especially performing with the intensity that is needed for a music video. What you may need to do is quite a few takes at first, as "Practice" or "Rehearsals" until they get it down. Now, you need to shoot this as takes, but pull the pressure off of them by being very casual about it and if they **** up, blow it off, with a, "Don't worry, that was just practice", or something similar. When they are comfortable with it, ratchet up the intensity with, "Ok, we ready for the real thing?". Do the master, then go in for your coverage. You are also going to have to be cool when doing your coverage and make sure that your are at least looking like you are giving each member of the band as much care and time as all of the other members of the band. Develop a sense of the band social dynamic and make sure you are not stepping on any toes. Musicians are unique artists and the anal retentive technology based art of filmmaking and the less structured (from a filmmaker's point of view) art of music can be a bone of contention on the set of a music video. Get the **** over that. They are the client, you are going to be the anal retentive technology based artist that you are, to serve there needs. Remember that the clock on the wall does not serve you both the same way. When you are on set spot on time and they come straggling in, that's ok, and when you are taking a few minutes to down load footage from a P2 card (or do a mag change, check the gate, or blah, blah), that is too much. That is the way it is. If they are there, spot on time, ready to go, I would advise that you, RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.... THERE IS WARP IN THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM, WERE DOOMED!!! I am just kidding, but just remember, you are in Musician world, and the rules are different. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Anyway, so, if this video is of a live performance, we are talking a whole new ball game. The question now comes down to, is a one time deal (one performance), or can you record it and go back and repeat it. If it is a one time performance, followed by a performance of other songs. That is one thing, if it is a one time performance of one song, without any other follow up performance of other songs, that is another thing.
Let's take them one at a time. Ok, let's say that it is a live performance under controlled circumstances, you can record it, and play back the original performance to get your coverage. What you would need to do, is work with the band to make sure that the performance is recorded at the best quality possible. When the first performance is done, you cover it as best you can by making smooth moves/zooms between the band members to get the best coverage as possible. Take time to cover each of the members in full shots, medium shots and CUs, with smooth moves in between. In this perfect world situation, where you could go back and repeat the performance with play back, I would work with the band to have a break after the recorded performance so that you could load the recorded audio into your Mac Book and set up a sequence, as note above that you could use as the play back for all of your coverage. I would set up the sequence with the timed audio sync marks, the video slug, and the "Time code Print" effect already set up. all you would have to do is bring in the recorded audio, trim it, and insert it into the sequence. You could then use this as noted above to get your coverage. This is the perfect world.
Now if you are dealing with a live performance, with additional songs preformed, like a live concert. You will need to get with the band to make sure that the performance is recorded to the best possible digital audio format possible, off the board, if possible. Take your time and make sure that the levels are set properly for the line out to the digital recorder that you will be using. Be there for the sound check and double check that recording.
So what you will need to do, is record the live performance, being smooth about getting as much coverage during the target song as possible. In this situation, what you are going to need to edit, is coverage that absolutely matches the correct song, like lip sync CUs, drum beats MSs and CUs, and guitar licks, ect. Get those during the target song.
Now with this situation, a live performance with additional songs performed. You will be able to get additional coverage from the additional songs. Be careful about stuff that has to match perfectly, as noted above.
Now if your are going to be shooting a live performance that is a one time deal, i.e., one song once, you will need to shoot it as noted above. Be smooth and cover as much as you can on the original shot. Then you are going to need to get as much alternative coverage as possible. Dancing girls in the audience, bouncing VU meters from the sound board, B-roll stuff that is pertinent, ect. You are going to have to be creative. When you get these live performances back to edit, you may have to sync the audio manually. What I suggest is to lay in the best audio, trim it as appropriate, go into the video footage, find a visual/audio sync point (drum stick clap, drum down beat or, the first line of a lyric, ect, trim it on the video track using the camera audio tracks, trim the best audio to the same point, then back time both tracks to match. Your lay the visuals over the best audio and delete the camera audio. Then cut from this matched audio sequence.
Also, if you are going to shot Sunday and Monday, and have it ready for Tuesday, I would make sure that you eat your Wheaties and brew a lot of coffee.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
 
wow that's a big post :thumbsup: Steev must be happy ! :grin:
You should listen to David !

I'm a musician and filmmaker and I know how hard it is to be filmed while playing. The thing I do is I shout as loud as I can (sing the lyrics if you know them it helps) to get the guy ready and to show him that there is no harm in singing as loud as he can, don't hesitate to danse/move with him when you go handheld to get him out of the ugly static position.

The only song that you will be listening from now till the shooting is the recorded song, you need to know it by heart, when is the chorus coming and all that stuff.

Also, if you are planning on shooting some slow mo and speed ups, be aware that you will loose the sound in PN mode.
The solution is, as david explained, to create a timecoded video with the synced music, then export it and then re import it to slow it down or speed it up, the time time code sppeed will change. When you shoot it with the same speed difference and play it back the video will be lip synced (I don't feel like I'm being really explicit on this please ask me more question if you want). Have a glance at this thread right here ! link!

I'm also about to shoot a big budget music video for a french band called Kipling (Myspace) We'll be shooting the Band with their fans in a Circus in Lyon (FRANCE) on Monday and then the Story section Thursday and Friday.

Good luck to you and don't forget my advice #8 !
 
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Yeah, again I totally agree with Phenixone. I am not yet shooting HD, with the ability to shoot slow mo video, so, I can't comment on that, but he is absolutely right about getting to know the song. That will help you during the shot immensely. If you don't have exact song that the band is going to play, at least get some of the band's music to get a feel for the themes, the attitude, and the vibe the band is all about. Even if you don't get a chance to study the band's music, make an effort to have a conversation with the band, especially the band's creative leaders about the where the band is coming from, what their world view is, how the song you are making the video for fits into that and what they want from the video.
Part of the reason, I have taken such an effort to make a serious post on this thread, is that I love the music video format. I think that it is one of the most expressive forms available for the independent filmmaker. Making music videos allows a filmmaker to stretch in learning his craft and I thank the filmmaking gods that I was able to learn my chops early on by making quite a few guerilla music videos. Thankfully, I have been able to, for the most part, break even on the music videos I have made, and cleared a bit of a profit on a few of them, but making them, for me has never been about making money. It is about the love of music and filmmaking.
Steev, listen to Phenixone and his advice # 8. Making a music video should be a challenge, a technical stretch, a learning experience, but most important of all, it should be a fun experience. Steev, go in there and kick their ass. You can do it. They don't have any idea how cool of a video you are going to make for them. Whooooo Rahhhhh!!!

Here are a couple of examples of guerrilla videos I have made:

Here is one done old school, shot on 16mm with an Arri-16BL, audio sync play back from a timecode Nagra, visual sync with a TC slate. Now, I did not write this song, nor was I in the band (which means I think that the song sucks as much as you do), I just made the video. That being said, we did get to burn down a house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvhcKT7uZw

This video was shot on a Cannon XL-1 and the audio sync was done by the CD boom box system described above. We lost camera audio half way through the shoot (XL-1s suck) and had to manually sync the footage by eye (which sucked!!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uFN5ZXUN6c

This one, shot with a Cannon XL-1 and a Mini-35 adaptor and Zeiss Super speeds, was made with the CD boom box sync system described above. The Camera audio was not consistent (XL-1s suck) and a significant amount of manual/visual sync was necessary. That sucked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUZF0mrNqI

This one was different. This video was an actual live performance recorded live, with multiple mics recorded to a multi-track digital recorder. Sync was done via timecode generated from the digital multi-track recorder. Shot with 4 Cannon XL-1s, but put to YouTube from a VHS copy. While I got paid well for this, cheap producer did not provide a copy for significant collaborators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiIBoqujz40

And here is a video from way back in the day. We shot this with 4 Super 8 cameras, on Ektachrome 160 reversal film. Audio was from a CD of the song, synced manually on 3/4" SP video. Uploaded to YouTube from VHS dub copy. The one song was put together from multiple songs filmed from the live performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXCXNAMr6ME
 
wow thanks guys for alll the replys. david thank you now i know everytihng about shooting music. even if next time i am shooting a live event. i am on my way to shoot with him again. yesterday went well everything you guys listed i pretty much already did. the recording format, timeline arrangement, triple CHECKING. oh n its already recorded and its not live n we used my iphone to synch with the voice ha.ghetto? We were at a university filming and now were goin to downtown sacramento today. i got a lot of the shots u were talkin about and i have been studying the song since i got it. i'll get back to you 2marow with the finished product and u can tell me how i did. and thanks again for all the support.
 
ok so filiming is done and post is getting a little ruff. he keeps on wanting me to change things around, i feel like ima never finish editing. ill post it when its done
 
just don't forget to white balance (:

also... sometimes when i get into a groove i completely forget about the OIS... remember to turn that **** off if you're on a jib or dolly.
 
yea i cant complain, they helped with ideas. these are rappers who probably have watched rap videos since day 1 and i the filmer doesnt even watch tv.
 
steev'sHVX said:
yea i cant complain, they helped with ideas. these are rappers who probably have watched rap videos since day 1 and i the filmer doesnt even watch tv.
Click to expand...

Oh man, make that your competitive advantage. You know, something like, "Wow, you don't want your video to look like everybody else's video do ya?.... What I see for your song is....", then insert you great idea, based on the literary, artistic, or cinematic influences that you have to offer. Of course, if they do want their video to look like everybody else's video, then some serious study sessions on YouTube are in order. But fight that, trust your artistic instincts and try to expand the music video form. That being said, do what ya gotta do to get paid.
 
Oh man... get down with you bad self!!! good job steev'sHVX!!! Very good job. I normally hate video black and white, but you did it right, it has that "Classic Movie" B&W look, with very subtle graduation over the exposure range. Nice. So, when you are partying on the beach in Malibu with Snoop and Diddy, you still gonna remember your friends?
 
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