Alright. By now, you should have picked the song you're going to use , and you hopefully saw some'visions' about what you want your video to look like. Now it's time to decide what style.
The trick is matching a good style with your story. I really hate performance videos, unless theres alot of jib( or camera crane) work. ...otherwise, standing onstage playing to waving arms just isn't my style. My style is Dramatic/ Performance...they're more complex, and I feel you can say more with both the story and band performance. My choice though. Every song is different however, and so every video should be as well. . In either case, you should have a clear idea of what the song is about, and what style of video you would like to make.
Each of the styles have different needs as well-ie.. locations, actors, probs, effect lighting, etc...
PERFORMANCE: the artist / a location/ playback / special lighting effects
This is a good style to use if you want to show what the artist is like performing in any location. This is the easiest route to go, but not very creative. You also must get used to shooting 'airband' style. Major things you'll need include a stage or a location for a set, band eqipment, special lighting &/or effects, props or sound equipment like amps, and stuff, PA system for playback. Get used to hearing the same song over and over and over.
DRAMATIC: artist or actor / numerous locations / lighting /some playback
This style works for telling a visual story. It's a bit more involved. You should create a story with a beginning, middle and end, in a 3 - 5 minute song. Thing you'll need include a treatment with a storyboard and tentative shot list, numerous locations, a larger crew for moving stuff around, locations, an actor or artist playing a role, and possibly playback.
PERFORMANCE / DRAMATIC: an obvious mix of both!!
This style is the most difficult, but the most creative. It allows you to tell the story, and at the same time, give a glimpse of the artist or band in an environment that matches the theme of song.
There are, of course, many other factors that one needs to think about for each of these styles, but the fact remains, find what style best suits what look your going for, and stick with it.
Getting The Story
Now you know the style you're going after, you need to have some sort of story line. Even if the video is nothing more than a singer/ band up on stage, you need to know when you will be switching from this angle to the next, this shot to that shot. This process is called storyboarding or making shot lists. Even though it's not necessary to plot out every shot, it's a good idea to know what you want ahead of time.
I also suggest breaking the song down into it's parts - musically. There may be something in the music that represents something you're trying to say. A hard snare and floor tom smash for a door slamming, cymbal crashes for glass smashing,or a guitar wail for a scream...all these sounds can create an extremely useful visual effect as well.
I'm currently working on a video for a band called Devoid. They wanted to make a video, and wanted some ideas for a plot. We discussed what style they wanted, and they wanted to tell a story, but also wanted to show how they rock out on stage as well! So we went with the Dramatic/Performance style.
The song they wrote is called 'Breathe'. It's a great tune and very dark sounding; almost underlying evil....it's about losing your will.....becoming powerless.
Anyway, I pitched the story of a college student, who while working at his computer in his dorm, starts to hear 'Breathe' in his head. It gradually becomes louder and more distracting till he finds himself. seeing things that aren't really there, and eventually finds himself in a mental ward with some extremly strange and creepy people..really fun stuff!!!!
So that's what we shot!!!
But at the same time, I had to draw up a treatment, a storyboard, and make a shot list of all the shots and angles that I needed. I already knew what type of camera I was using, and what format I was going to shoot in. In fact, I was using 3 cameras - panasonic dxx1o0b, sony dsr-250, and a regular miniDV camera ( all digital dv tape). They all provided a different look, and effect. I had to find locations for the hospital, the school, and a set for the performance parts, and I had to find a decent actor for the lead, one the band would like to be the face for their video. Not an easy task! Xtras were the responsibility of the band to find. They had no problem with this task, as they got a bunch of their friends to fill the roles. And Chris's wife supplied all the hospital gowns for the xtras, and the Dr.s garb for Chris. They all looked great too!
Now...remember..... all of this had to be completed and organized before we shot anything! It's so important to have everything in place before you shoot. I can't say it enough. I'm not saying that if you do everything I tell you to, a video shoot will go over without any problems, that's just not true. I've had my share of problems, and it will continue. Mistakes happen. But if you have your plan in place and everyone involved is on the same page, you can easily avoid any mistakes or easily deal with problems that arise.
That's the key to it all -
BE PREPARED!!!
That's where Ill leave it for now. I'm going to find those storyboards and post them as examples.
You should take a look at some other music videos out there, check out some performance and drama styles.... a little bit of research doesn't hurt, and you may get some really good ideas.
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