You've got a killer idea and have signed your contracts, but you're not ready to shoot just
yet.
Like any good filmmaker, you'll first need to consider some important pre-production
details in order to ensure that your shoot goes off well.
Music video shoots are like a good mystery: they're not easy to solve.
To help you with yours, we look at how to get your location ready,what you'll need for
make-up and wardrobe, what to consider with your talent and crew, and how to plan for
specialty needs for a successful video.
Most video producers have a love/hate relationship with location shoots.
Shooting on location can save money and add variety but often comes with some loss of
control.
That's one reason why it's important to scout your location before the shoot begins.
While there, you'll want to note if there are power sources for equipment, nearby restrooms
and parking for talent and crew, where to store food and gear, and most importantly,
if the look to the area meets your creative expectations.
Due to the time it takes, location scouting is often done by just a few crew members.
Usually, only the lead electrician, director, producer, and camera operator will typically
need to study at the location beforehand.
If you're new to an area or want to find new locations, consulting with a location director
can save you time and headaches.
These people are often experts on the locale and know who to call to get access to restricted
areas.
(DR) If you plan to build a set in the location or shooting a wide shot, you'll want to make
sure you have plenty of time in your schedule to dress and light the set before the rest
of your crew and talent arrive.
This will not only make your electricians and art designers happy, it will save on human
resource costs as well.
Another factor is your equipment.
To guarantee that you have everything you need on the day of the shoot; look at each
scene in your storyboard and note which piece of gear you'll need for the shoot.
This includes everything from the camera rig all the way down to cables for the monitors.
Some frequently forgotten but useful items include gaffer's tape for securing cables,
black wrap for lights, charged batteries, sandbags for weighing down stands, walkie-talkies
for crew communication, tables, ladders, and coolers for drinks and snacks.
Making sure you include these small details on your equipment list will ensure a smoothly
running shoot day.
Of all the factors to think about before a shoot, your talent and crew should always
come first.
Because personnel costs are some of the highest expenses you'll have on set, you'll want to
make sure to have the right amount of help to get the shots you need.
For complex shots this may require a sound operator, grips, and an assistant director.
For simple shots you may only need the director, a camera operator and talent.
Either way, it can be extremely helpful to use your shooting schedule or storyboard to
determine the size of the crew you'll need for each shot.
From there, you'll want to create call sheets.
A call sheet is a list that shows crew members and talent when they need to arrive on the
set and what their duties are when they get there.
One of the best ways to assure a smooth operation is to give some thought to how you treat your
talent.
The day of the shoot can be incredibly nerve racking so finding ways to make them comfortable
can go a long way in getting a good performance.
Many directors will ask the band what kind of food and snacks they prefer so that they
can provide them at the shoot.
Though it doesn't take much effort, it can go a long way towards making an artist happy
which leads to better performances.
It's also good practice to have a separate room or area where the talent can relax between
takes.
This area should have snacks, a table and chairs, and forms of entertainment if setup
goes long.
Another consideration to have on-set is a proper make-up room.
This room should have a medium to large sized mirror, a chair, and plenty of good lighting
so that the talent can see the way they'll look under lights like the ones you'll be
using.
If you don't have a set big enough to hold a makeup or artist room, you can always rent
a trailer or set up a table and chairs outside where there's more room.
The last thing to consider before your shoot is what kind of specialty needs you might
have.
If your music video involves a night scene on a street, you may want to consider renting
a truck the day of the shoot to hose the street down.
If you can't find a truck that can do this, it may be possible to get the fire department's
permission to hook up to a fire hydrant.
This creates reflections on the street that can help a scene look less static and more
interesting.
Also, if you're shooting a music video that requires using a large public parking area,
it's always a good idea to close off the lots you'll need the night before the shoot is
scheduled to begin so you don't have to worry about towing cars on the day of the shoot.
Pre-production involves some serious planning but it often pays off in the end.
By finding solutions to potential problems before you shoot, you'll be able to successfully
handle any problem that may come your way.