Tips on choosing shots for music videos

B

Bluestirbute

Member
I've done a few videos, and I'm getting the hang of it, but there's just one thing that still gets me- shooting for music videos. If anyone has any experience, how do you go about choosing what type of shot, what motion, etc, you're going to do in the performance shots? For instance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7KXcSn2wBU (ignore the song, I'm only choosing it because it's "horror rap", which is the same style I'm filming for)
There's extreme close ups, pans, etc. Is it just getting on set, turning up the music, and just "going with the flow"? I already have a plan (multiple shots/multiple angles of the same part), but the motion and stuff just kinda confuses me.
 
One of the things i use is to listen to the song for a couple of days,analyze the lyrics and see what type of thoughts or ideas come to mind when i listen.After i jot down a few of those thoughts,i talk to the artist and ask what was their motivation towards penning the song and what thoughts came to mind when creating the song(were you upset,were you going thru something with your lady etc.)Once i hear some of the artists viewpoints i usually mention a few of the things that certain lyrics i heard brought to my mind.Once we began sharing thoughts it allows me to get inside the space of the artist and then i just begin crafting a treatment.Once i have mental images of what i want,i then begin location scouting from there shots and everything else just fall in place for me,i don't know how helpful this bit of info will be for you but hopefully it will at least bring you closer to getting your project done.good luck and let us know how things turned out.:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the input! I've been listening to the song each night now jotting down ideas. We've also been talking about it for a few weeks and scouring some locations (kinda excited because of it's dark theme). As I listen to it more and more and watch similar videos, I get some shot ideas, but I don't want to go to all these cool little places, setup a set, shoot the same verse for an hour, and end up having nothing to show for it. Though I haven't been on a set yet with an artist that really feels their music (I've been filming friends to get used to my camera and learn a little bit before I go out and film other people), so it sounds like once you see them feeling it and moving to the music, you just kinda know what to do and feel it with them?

Anyways we'll hopefully be filming shortly so once it's done I'll post a link to get some feedback.
 
If anyone has anymore tips I'd love to hear them. Doing some of my own research and studying, I got this:

Lots of low shots to make the rappers seem, I guess, "superhuman" for lack of a better term
Go handheld for the most part (building stabilizer this weekend) to get a more "real" feel
Lots of shot-switching in post

What other tips before we start filming (next week)? Just general ideas maybe you guys follow with general music videos?
 
I agree with the previous response...getting in the mindset of the artist is the best way for you to envision the music as they see it. Personally, i have been an active musician my entire life, long before entering into the world of filmmaking, so that often helps me when understanding an artists vision and petspective. I have done over a dozen or so music videos to date, some on a shoestring budget, and some with huge production elements (full crews, helicopters, named cameos, etc).
The biggest advice i can give, is treat each music video like you would a film project. Spend as much time in "pre production" as possible. Spend a lot of time working out a solid script/treatment, create as detailed a shot list as possible, and make sure that when you get on set with your talent, its all about getting coverage. Just like with any film, coverage is king. Dont be afraid to ask for another take if you feel another angle will be helpful.
Youre accurate in the thought that once you get on set, and the music is going, that the both of you will feel inspired. It happens the same way it does on a movie set when a scene is just flowing. But nothing substitues for a well executed plan. From there, once you get into post, you have to work to recreate that energy and emotion when selecting shots. As far a cutting goes, its more about feel than anything else, including continuity. Watch ALL of your footage, several times, and make note of your favorite material, and be sure to keep your project organized so you can quickly find that certain angle when inspiration strikes.
I hope all of this is helpful, and as always, wed all love too see your project when it is completed. Horror Rap is a fun genre...im actually doing a GraveDiggas video this summer. Good luck!
 
Also...its not a rule, and not everybody follows it....but, when in edit, cut to the beat/tempo. It makes cuts feel a lot smoother and cleaner, and adds rythem to the visuals.
 
Thanks for the responses! I have a couple of shotlists/storyboard type things going on. One tells me what I'm looking for (mostly for the story part) and one tells me all the shots. I'm adding a little bit on each day though 'cause I definitely wanna come in prepared . . . Though the beat thing just made me realize I can make Post easier by mapping out where good downbeats are to change shots.
 
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