Short form videos are becoming a very popular and engaging type of content in today’s media world.
Even though some people believe that music videos are dead, the truth is that music videos can still be promoted to large online platforms. They also serve to establish your artist branding and visual aesthetic. The best part? Your budget doesn’t matter!
8 Tips to Make a Music Video on a Budget (with actual examples) )
Now, I understand what you may be thinking. Is it possible to make a music video worth $10,000 plus that will blow your DIY home-movie apart?
It will, nine times out of ten.
However, the purpose of making a low-budget video music and uploading it to YouTube or Vevo is more than just getting tons of views. It’s also a way to showcase you and your image as well as strengthen your music’s meaning and connect with your fans on an artistic and visionary level.
With so many music videos that are high-production and billboard-style, it could be very difficult to create a low-budget video.
This leads us to our first and most important point…
1. Do it yourself!
A music video that attempts too hard to appear professional and then fails completely is undoubtedly the worst.
Let’s face it, if you have a limited budget, it’s unlikely that you will have the tools and equipment necessary to produce a high-quality video.
We say do the reverse. Making the low-production element of your intentional , and deliberate.
OK Go’s video for “Here It Goes Again” is one of the most famous examples.
This is the ultimate video with no frills. This video features a group of men dancing on a few treadmills with a backdrop made of aluminium foil that looks almost handmade.
It works, you know that! It works really, really well.
This music video is a work of art because it has simplicity and creativity throughout. It’s both entertaining and viewing-wise, it’s high-quality because it’s not pretended to be.
It’s fair to mention that the aesthetic of your video will depend on what image you want it to project or the message you wish to convey about your music. It’s a great way to go if you want to make a low-cost video.
Be honest and unique. Music videos don’t have to be expensive to be interesting to people. Instead, emphasize the fact that it isn’t. Rinse it!
2. Get organized
A music video is a huge project. A successful and efficient project management is essential.
Also, get your ducks in order before shoot day.
Do you choreograph a dance routine for your students? Are you putting together a list of the equipment that you will need? Are you looking for a particular prop or costume that will help you execute your video’s overall idea?
Practice and Preparation are the keys. Your shoot will be chaotic without these.
Discussing everyone’s involvement prior to the shoot is a good idea. Who will do the final edit? Who is responsible for changing the costumes? Who will be driving everyone to the shooting location? While roles can change throughout the process, it is still important to have a rough idea of where everyone stands before the big day.
While you might not be trying to make the most of your budget, or even to get it completely free, can help you create a budget-plan that you will remember.
This will be a reference point that you can refer to whenever you need to source equipment or tools. Make sure to allocate most of your budget to the most important items, i.e. Lighting, location, props and camera equipment are all important.
3. Invite friends and other creative people to join you
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on professional videographers and actors.
You can get a few of your best friends and creative collaborators together to help you accomplish the task.
Recruiting people you know is, for the most part the best alternative to hiring actors or extras to be part of the video’s story or create the illusion that there are many of them.
You might also be able to make a few appearances if you have some famous friends, like Kim Petra.
Getting people involved in the project can be a great way to save money on equipment. Have a friend with a video camera? Ideal.
Perhaps you know someone in a wealthy neighborhood that would be willing to lend their house for you to film in. It’s possible, I assure you.
This was the core of Lil Dicky’s cost-cutting strategy to produce his video for “$ave Dat Money”. This is a perfect fit for the song’s overall theme, which is to thrift cash.
Even if you don’t have a friend, they are still helpful to have. Multiple friends equals multiple phones cameras, which is multiple angles.
Consider who you can recruit from your filmmaking, graphic design, or photography background.
You’d be amazed at how open a fellow artist is to help you. They’re likely eager to learn, practice and expand their portfolio.
4. Be creative with your idea
The commonality among all good low-budget music videos is a cracking idea.
What does concept mean?
It’s basically an visual element or hook which gives viewers something to interact with.
This can make it seem monotonous to dive head in. It’s important to consider it as a visual brand awareness.
The overall mood of the video should reflect your music/artistic style (unless you want to channel Tarantino-esque styling).
Some examples of visual hooks that work:
– A story or narrative that is unique
– A graphic or visual element that is interesting
– Well-thought choreography
Cool props and outlandish outfits
– Warped direction and/or time
Take a look at the visuals you already have to help you find inspiration. This includes your song, as well as other assets such as press photos and album artwork. Is it possible to maintain a cohesiveness with the visuals in your song video?
Find one thing that works, and center the video around it. This keeps things simple, and allows you to use less equipment, money, and editing experience.
Check out Fatboy Slim’s video of “Praise You”
The concept was shot guerrilla-style. It consists of a group flash mob dancers dressed in inappropriate clothing and poor tracksuits. It’s a beautiful watch. It was only $80 to make! It was probably possible.
You could also go moreforward and record the track live with you or your band.
This is the Arctic Monkeys’ version of “I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor”
This can feel authentic and make a bigger visual impact than you might think. It puts your music at the forefront.
5. Pick ONE place and stick with it.
The number one rule for choosing your location is .
Why?
It will make it simpler and easier for you and your family to travel to one location.
Don’t pick a location that is too far from everyone. There are options. Don’t waste your time or money trying to coordinate a trip that involves 3 trains, 2 Ubers, and a helicopter ride.
It’s just not worth it.
These are some things to consider when you choose your location.
– Is it unique, interesting, or visually compelling?
– Does it resonate strongly with you/your band?
– Could this place enhance the story of your track visually
Is it possible to film in different locations within the same area?
In the case of public locations versus private, you should opt for somewhere private to avoid the hassle of applying for permits, and also to avoid unwanted photobombers.
Ask your family and friends if they know of any private locations that you might be able to shoot in.
Perhaps even your Nan’s retro living room. You never know…
Alternately, you can choose not to use the location.
You can instead position your band in front a green screen, and then replace it with cool visuals using a video editing program. This can produce better results than a fancy location, and be even more unique. Use your imagination!
Look at how Grimes made it happen for her song “You’ll Miss me When I’m not Around.”
This video was intentionally made entirely of green screen footage. She called it her “quarantine art kits” and shared it with a variety of visual tools, as well as a plug-in that allows fans to create their own edited versions of the video.
6. Good lighting is essential for any project.
Lighting is the most destructive aspect of a music video shoot.
It’s a shocking fact that I am aware.
The truth is that lighting is crucial for any dance performance. Bad lighting can make it difficult to do your best.
Shooting outdoors is the cheapest and most efficient way to get maximum lighting. Alternatively, you can shoot in a large room with many windows, and lots of natural sunlight.
Morning or afternoon is the best time to use, when it’s sunny. You can also benefit from changes in natural lighting. You could use day vs. evening to create some interesting lighting contrasts in your video.
Best weather is It’s best to avoid getting too much sun.
But, I don’t mean that you should not spend money. Use it. It’s not expensive to rent a lighting kit – it costs around $75 per day. If you believe it will elevate your music video to another level, then get it!
7. Consider your camera operation
It is important to use what you already have. The same applies to camera equipment.
There is no need to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment if you have a smartphone that will do the job perfectly.
Don’t believe my word?
The video below – “Nancy Lee” by Vintage Trouble – was entirely shot on an iPhone 4.
Although the director of this music video won an Emmy award, is what’s most important. shows how he uses the vintage aesthetic of the lyrics and narrative to complement the low fps of the iPhone 4 camera.
Clever, right? !
There are many cool apps for mobile that you can now download to allow you to shoot video on your phone. Vsco, Splice – These are two fantastic options we love!
However, I am aware that not all Emmy-winning video directors are the same.
You can choose the amount you have available and if video shoots will become a regular thing, these are some pieces of gear that we recommend.
– DSLR or gimbal. Great if you care less about the low-fi lifestyle and more about high production value
Tripod is wise for those who are starring in their own videos and require a film-maker.
Low-budget Camera – One that produces sharp, high quality video and has a long battery life
These are completely optional. Don’t let your budget hinder your creativity.
8. Allocate editing time post-production
Shoot day is almost over.
To promote your music video on the internet, there is one more thing you must do. It’s a huge deal…
Final cut and edit. Dun, dun, DUN.
This part can seem daunting if you don’t have any experience with video editing. It doesn’t have it to be!
Editing and colouring can make all the difference in your final video. But the good news? You can do it yourself!
Download video editing software.
iMovie and Lightworks as well as DaVinciResolve are all available for free. They all produce amazing results!
You can also invest in better colour correction software by Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut Pro X.
Even though your eyes may not be as sharp as those of a professional, it’s perfectly acceptable!
Remember, we’re going for the DIY aesthetic. Like everything, practice makes perfect. These types of editing software will help you to improve your editing skills.
You’ve created a music video your fans will love, and it didn’t cost a fortune!
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