How are music videos made?

How are music videos made?

Music videos aren't created in a single day. They take a while to produce as they contain numerous steps and have to get verified by multiple companies. For example, it could take a couple of weeks to even get permission to start filming.

There are also multiple steps you must have before planning can even start for the music video.

1) The record label of the artist or band must find investors. These are people who are willing to pay to help fund the music video. This means that the video can have high funds, and the more funds means more facilities. This will result in a better quality music video, and therefore a better music video.

2) If the song hasn't been recorded, this is your next priority. Obviously, you need a song before you can have a video. Sometimes the song is released before the video, this builds up hype for when the video is released. This means that if the song is a success, the music video will be anticipated, However, some artists release the music video before the song. This is because if the song is released first, and it doesn't have much success, then not many people will watch the video. But if the video is released first, people will have to watch it in order to listen to the song.

3) Next the planning for the music video needs to be done. This includes the story boarding, shot list, and any safety tests. All planning must be done before any filming has started. This is because it is very expensive to shoot a music video, and if you start filming halfway through, and then realise that something needs to change because planning wasn't done, then this can cost you time and money.

4) Next the locations need to be found, and permissions need to be given when filming in private places. This is because getting permission to film on private property may take a while to go through. Also, if it is not possible to film in certain areas, then these locations may need to be duplicated on a set. These may be made of props, or edited in post production using a green screen.

5)Next the directors, producers, writers and cast must all be hired, and filming should begin once the narrative is set. These employees must know exactly what they have to do in the music video, and must sign a risk assessment form and a disclosure form.

6) After filming, the editing commences. Because of all the fast cuts in music videos, there should be lots of footage so this step may take months. Every second of the music video must be carefully chosen, and many different versions will be made in the process.

7) Next the promotion must take place. In the past this would have included getting adverts on TV's, billboards, radio and newspapers. But no, due to technological advances most advertising is done online. Social media will be the main form of promotion.

8) After the video has been promoted, it is time to release it to the world. This is when the distribution company publishes the video around the world.

Music videos aren't real

Music videos aren't real

Music videos play on our suspension of disbelief (the audience know that it's not real).

Because we know that music videos aren't real, they can do basically anything they want. Unlike films, who have to follow some sort of structure so the audience isn't confused, music videos have don't have to have a specific structure. Films are made to show a story. This means that if something is wrong in a movie, it's noticed. A YouTuber called CinemaSins finds things wrong with films, such as continuity errors or storyline errors.

The video below shows everything wrong with Shrek 2 in 18 minutes, bearing in mind the film was only 93 minutes. This means that films have to be made very carefully.


However, music videos don't have to make sense. They don't need to have a narrative so they can literally do whatever they want. When creating a music video, you don't need to worry about continuity or whether it could actually happen. Even if you make a narrative music video, you don't have to make sure that continuity is always the same. Someone can go from London to LA within a shot with no explanation.

One page pitch

One page pitch

Jump and Shake - Timeflies

Overview – The song is an upbeat pop song about going out and enjoying yourself. It tries to encourage everyone to make the most of being young as you won't be young forever.  

Plot – I want to use Goodwin's theory to create a link between lyrics and visuals. This means that the storyline will follow the day of a male protagonist who is going out and enjoying himself. The video will show a day out of his life. I intend to show his whole day from him getting up and getting ready, to the end of the night.  

Purpose – Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory suggests that people use the media for different things such as diversion, personal identity, personal interaction, or information. I intend to create my music video to provide entertainment. Although the music video will also try and inform the audience to go out and enjoy themselves, it is mainly for entertainment purposes.  

Target Audience – My music video will be aimed at 18-25 year olds, as the video will try and tell the audience to make the most of being young. The protagonist is also going to be an 18-year-old male, so the audience will empathise more. It will be aimed at a mainly British and American audience, as the song is in English. However, the context of the music video will also be understandable by people of other nationalities. 

Album Recreation

Album Recreation

Album Recreation

Although I have a lot of previous experience with Adobe Fireworks, I haven't used Adobe Photoshop much in the past. In order to practice using it, I decided to recreate some iconic album covers. I recreated Michael Jackson's 'BAD' album cover.