Music Video Tips To Consider

* Allow extra time if anything goes wrong.
* Although making a music video has artistic freedom the main aim of it is to promote the song.
* Ensure actor who plays the 'She-wolf' has a good lip-syncing technique - or get them to sing as if they mumble or mime awkwardly it will show in their body actions and facial expressions and will not look right in the music video.
* Be aware of my budget, stick to it.
* Plan every detail IN detail.
* Remember I will be playing all parts of being a director, camera person and lighting person so allow more time with this considered.
* Keep a record of shots I've made on the day of the shoot.
* Once I am happy with a shot shoot it again so I have a choice out of the two if on one of them something is not right when I play it back.
* Remember to bring the CD of the song with me on the day of shooting.
* Avoid playing back too much to extend battery life.


Shooting tips:

* Beware of repeated zooming as it can look clichéd and unless done with a very steady hand can often look amateurish.
* Use lots of various angles.
* Use cutaways / B-roll shots.
* Use smooth camera movements by using the tri-pod.
* Choose and use a master shot to add in when gaps in the story.
* Use sweeping shots.

Technical tips:

* Shoot 16:9 (widescreen) if camera allows it.
* Use frame mode/progressive scan/non-interlace.
* Set shutter speed to as close to 24fps as possible.
* Use manual white balance for every shot.
* Use manual aperture and manual focus.
* Use a shallow depth of field by using the high end of the zoom range.
* Set up a proffessional light surrounding.
* Use a slightly blue colouring instead of fully white balance - possibly even cup hand around the lense so the camera drains away warms hues.