2. How are music videos made?What is the
production process?
■ The first thing that is done is the search for a good production company, found by the
artist’s label/company.The right production company may rely on the genre and if
they can successfully create a music video for it.
■ The executive manager of the production company will then gather a crew, which may
include but is not limited to a director, production manager, scene designer, etc.
■ The planning of the music video comes next, with a storyboarding process in order to
get the main ideas for the video and how they want the finished product to look.This
also allows the filming process to run smoothly and without any major problems.This
will then be run by the music video crew and production company to make sure
everything can be done and is within budget.
3. ■ During production, depending on the budget of the music video more crew members
will be hired, for example, make-up artists and clothes designers.
■ More takes than needed will be filmed to ensure that if some shots don’t make the cut,
there will be back-up shots that are either identical or are from different
angles/lengths (in case on of these things don’t work with the music video).This
reduces the time period of filming as the crew won’t have to go back to film if
something goes wrong.
■ During post-production, an editing crew will edit the music video, making sure it
appears fluid. Synchronisation of the music to the visuals is also an objective for the
editors and production company.
■ The music video will then go through an approval process before its distribution to
make sure everything is fine and there isn't anything that is not supposed to be there.
■ Some sections of the music video may be taken for the digipak.
■ Of course, this isn't the same process for every music video: for example, some artists
have more freedom within the production of their music video.
4. What is the purpose of a music video?
■ For the companies and artists, the purpose of a music video is generally to promote a
song or album.This can contribute to more sales, which means more money for both
the artist and company.
■ Another purpose for the artist can be to give their audience a visual story for a song,
and also can be for the artist’s own personal reasons, for example, to shed light on
worrying problems in today’s media.
5. Famous directors
David Fincher
■ Music video examples: “ExpressYourself”, Madonna; “Vogue”, Madonna; Suit andTie,
JustinTimberlake.
■ As a film director, he used some of the same techniques in the directing of music
videos. He is also known for his exploration of mankind’s psychological field in the film
industry, and even though he has produced many pop videos, his compelling and
creative visuals make him one of the best film directors in the industry.
■ Music videos have been improving over time due to the improvement in the
technology and equipment used in the process of making a music video.This plays a
part in how famous directors can get, as the more money on budget, the better the
outcome.
6. How much money is spent on the
average music video?
■ Music video budgets usually cover things like concept development, storyboards, pre-
production, casting, on-camera talent, choreography, rehearsals, location fees, props,
costumes, production equipment, production crew, post-production, editing, motion
graphics, visual effects, colour correction, video encoding, and digital delivery.
■ The budget can usually range from $20,000 to $500,000, according to Indigo
Productions.
■ Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson hold the title for the highest-priced music video
with Scream. It cost $7,000,000, but in today’s economy that would be more like
$10,889,059.
7. How do audiences access music videos?
■ The most common way of watching a music video is throughYouTube, and if you’re a
big enough fan of an artist you will go straight to the artist’sVEVO profile and find it.
■ Others don’t do this, but instead watch the music videos on the recommended side-
bar thatYouTube has installed, based off your search history and other videos you’ve
watched.
■ The link to theYouTube video can also be shared on social media sites such asTwitter
and Facebook, meaning friends and family of a person can see the video through the
sharing of it.
■ Music videos are also shown on music shows such as MTV.
