Shooting a music video

[DVDONE]

Been on the site for a few years now but never posted much. I guess from now on I am a regular member.

I have some questions I am confused about.



I want to shoot a music video but I want the best cinematography color possibloe for the film. A handheld video camcorder is not going to do it but if that is my only option then I would like to know how to get the best possible look.

I will use Adobe Premier Pro to edit it but what I would like to know is the process of the film. How do they make it look so good on MTV the cinematography is beautiful, the motion movement is crisp etc..

What software can I use to get almost like that quality. What process do you go through to learn all the tricks like lighting, noise reduction, cripst picture etc..


I appreciate all your help/advice.

[redwudz]

You might take a look at this site: http://www.timtv.com/mv-101.html He has a free Adobe pdf E-book on making music videos that seems fairly good.

[daamon]

Hi DVDONE,

Welcome to the forums.

Simply put, get the best of everything you can afford. If you do go for a video camcorder, at least try to get one that has "3CCD" on it - this will give you better colour.

The key to any video work, not just music videos, is to get it as perfect as possible before you roll the cameras then there's less tinkering around that's needed afterwards.

Have your music video shot in a well lit set up - either sunny outdoors (sun on their faces) or well it indoors.

Software should ideally only be used for tweaks and fine polishing rather than creating quality.

As for MTV making it look beautiful - they follow the same principals you should, but have a monster sized budget.

The main process that hobbyists go through to learn all the rricks is to: read, experiment, learn, review, read, attend courses, research, get frustrated, persevere and then repeat the whole process...

Good luck with your project.

[edDV]

They normally shoot film but thats a nonstarter for an amateur.

Its 80% about lighting and exposure. Even a consumer camcorder can look good given enough light. A camcorder with white balance control, manual focus and manual audio levels will give you basic control.

Are you going to cut to an existing audio track or try to record local audio?

Shooting a music video is different than recording a concert. You need a story or hook to make it interesting. Match some video to the lyrics. Inter cut the band doing other things related to the lyrics. Story board the shots and then light and shoot each scene one by one. The band may have to sing parts of the song dozens of times to get it right.

If your camcorder does have manual white balance, the warm and cool setup card system is great for getting the color tone you want. As said above, get this right as you shoot. Post is for fixing mistakes.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.studio1productions.com/images/wctrip...icial%26sa%3DG

[DVDONE]

WAW!! Thanks for all the replies.

What the music video is going be is like one on MTV. The artist sings the song and I want to match it to his lips so it's in sync. How can that be achieved?

[zoobie]

the artist simply sings along with his song playing on a ghetto blaster
you can slow or speed the frames to match if you get off a bit

[zoobie]

ops...I guess I let the industry secret out...again