Anthony Jackson’s 22 tips on filming a music video.
Insider’s Look at APFX Studios.
1. Make sure you write up an agreement contract.
2. Make sure your client pays half down to lock in the date of filming.
3. Day of the shoot client(s) must pay off the remaining balance of the contracted amount in full.
4. On a one day shoot only allow 2 locations for Shooting. You don’t want be driving around all day wasting time when there is editing time at stake. I try to stay in the studio learning new techniques!
5. Always check white balance when you change locations during a shoot. It is very rare you will have the exact same lighting indoor or outdoor when shooting on the same day (sun moves).
6. Make an audio CD of the first verse, track 2 second verse, track 3 3rd verse, track 4 chorus, do this so you don’t have to play the whole CD just to get to the 2 and 3 verse. In the past that used to be really time consuming for me.
7. If you have to rent a generator -charge the client. APFX studios charges $120.00 if the shoot requires lighting. You ought to at least charge the client for the rental price. Not to mention liability insurance costs.
8. I always try to keep in mind that my cinematography is worth far more to me than what I am getting paid to shoot it. Because to the client the editing is included on the price, they get the finished product and have no idea the skill involved with getting to the finished product! Take Pride in what you are doing and don’t sell yourself too short!
9. If you can go to the event locations a few days prior to filming, do it. I try to make sure I know where the sun is going to be and at what time for the day of shoot. That way if there’s any problems with lighting you can bring it up to your client ahead of time and explain they may need to rent lights. Especially if there’s no way to get the sun behind you and your client is planning to have you shoot into the sunlight.
10. Bring a lunch, and plenty of water. Shooting a Music Video takes a lot of energy. If you don’t have health and you get tired you lose creativity. I remember a shoot when I was so hungry that while filming I kept checking my watch. You don’t want to be distracted by your stomach while working.
11. Make an equipment check off sheet to make certain you have everything you will need before you leave the studio. If you get to the event location missing extra batteries, extension chords, or worse one of your lenses, you will regret it.
12. There is ALWAYS going to be some guy at the shoot acting like he knows everything. Don’t pay him any mind. If he keeps trying to tell you how to film or even worse “what he would do.” Softly remind him, “I am trying to work here guy. Here’s my card you can check out my website and email me your suggestions later.” You don’t want to get caught up trying someone’s ideas. It is a waste of time. Shooting a music video is no place for mediocrity.
13. stick to the storyboard, and always are ready for changes because most of the times some people do not show up, so you make the changes to fit the storyboard improvise.
14. Make sure you get some shots of things at the location, to add in the video for fill in edits,
15. Get some close up shots of everybody face at the shoot, so they will be added in.
16. The 3 second rule, in the editing room, do not let a scene go any longer than 3 seconds go to the next scene or the video will get boring.
17. Give the client 14 to 30 days, turnaround time on completion.
18. Bring extra batteries for all equipment, if you are using a boom box for audio playback make sure batteries are fully charge.
19. Don’t center the talent in front of the scene, it makes him/her look like a news show host. Position your shot so they are far left or far right.
20. Use depth of field when you are trying to tell a story, and place each part of the story in the background or even the foreground. Using extensive depth of field is always something professional videos incorporate.
Shooting diagonally in order to create a wide middle ground sandwiched between background and foreground element serves three purposes:
First of all, it can eliminate the possibility of subjects getting cut off the screen unintentionally when they move suddenly. Secondly, it allows the cinematographer/filmmaker to compose many subjects (even in a small space) within a single shot; And most importantly, it enables the director to selectively emphasize and dramatize elements that are essential to the story or motive being conveyed.
21. Make sure to film each verse three times. I always get an extreme close-up, medium close-up, Full close-up, and wide close-up footage. By Medium Close up I mean from the waste up.
22. Make sure you have lens cloth keep your camera lenses clean. You don’t want to be using your shirt or some alternative means while trying to work.
Most importantly never forget why you are there. You follow your contracted agreement. I NEVER get caught up in going to the bar to celebrate afterward or out to eat or for drinks to talk about the process. This kind of thing is what I call “getting too close to the client.” In the end this will always put you into the position of getting taken advantage of.
I try to keep in mind this: I am the influence. My music video will hopefully change their own motivation to keep producing music. SO maybe instead of going out to a party, they will spend more time in their studio practicing. If I am invited to a party, I calmly remind them, “That was not in in the contract! Having me at your party is $400.00 extra! Just joking really I gotta go get back to the studio. Maybe next time!”
You can download a free agreement contract here for you next up and coming project.
Thank you from Anthony Jackson.
