How to make a music video

Acclaimed music video director Darren Doane (Blink 182, Shinedown, The Zac Brown Band, Kid Rock, Colbie Caillat, Matt Nathanson, A Day To Remember) shares all his knowledge for those looking to make a music video. One of the basic rules of storytelling is Show, don’t tell. Rather than presenting a series of talking heads churning out a dry textbook of how-tos, Music Video Formula invites you into the process of making an actual music video so you can see principles in action. Bring your catcher’s mitt for the fast-flying big ideas and your butterfly net for the more delicate nuances. As you observe veteran director Darren Doane at work, you will intuitively learn through experiencing. A split screen and captioning will help you keep track of various technical aspects of the process. Segments of conversation allow the team to debrief, review, and explore off-camera issues related to video-making. 

You will watch the team dive in and film four shots of Austin Ellis' first music video in real time. Darren continues to demystify the process by walking Austin through learning to ask the right questions and look from the right perspective. Don’t think first about ideas, but about what you have available. Don’t be a filmmaker; be a photographer. Address the basic needs: a camera (accessible options are easy to come by), a location (in this case, a borrowed recording studio), music (you’ll be syncing to your vocal recording), something to play it on (any simple sound system will do as long as it’s loud enough to hear), and willing hands (call your friends and call in your favors!). 

You’ll pick up tips on

• finding or assembling inexpensive sets,
• composing the shot,
• filling the frame,
• removing distractions,
• saving the singer’s voice throughout multiple takes,
• keeping cool and working through challenges as performer or director,
• encouraging the performer,
• connecting with the camera (and the audience),
• making sure everyone is engaged in the process,
• playing with ideas as they occur on the fly,
• reusing one setting for multiple shots,
• combining elements of intimacy and energy, and
• being faithful to the process.