Stephanie G. Mathis Over the past few decades, the concept of great video music has evolved. The days of needing thousands of dollars and an epic film crew are long gone. You can create a music video using your smartphone if you are creative and resourceful.
While there are times and places for large-scale productions, budding artists can get more done with an easy, simple idea. The entertainment value of a video is more important than the production quality in attracting an audience. It doesn’t really matter whether your music video was produced by a Hollywood director or shot on your iPhone. As long as it is engaging, creative, and entertaining, your audience will enjoy it.
Be resourceful
Save time and money by creating a video using resources that you already own. Shooting at an area you can easily access, such as your home, backyard, nearby park, or, if permitted, your workplace after hours, is a great way to save time and money.
The video was shot by the Canadian punk group Sum 41, using action figures they probably had as children. The band recreated a wild party/concert using the action figures they had as kids. The video is entertaining and captures the feel of a wild house party without the hassle of organizing and paying for a real event.
This example leads us to the next point: Locations are not the only assets that can be used to your advantage. Have old Halloween costumes you could use in a video project? Is there a ’59 American muscle car in your father’s garage? Look around you and your neighborhood to find inspiration. You probably have more resources than you think. Make a list of the props, costumes, and camera equipment you could use in your next music video.
Please keep it simple.
Nothing is worse than a great video idea that’s poorly executed. We can come up with big, bold ideas but do not always have the resources to make them happen. Many artists have shot high-concept videos with limited resources and budget, often leading to a tacky or cheesy final product. Sometimes, the best videos are the simplest ones, especially if you’re working with a limited budget or crew.
Coldplay’s “Yellow” is an excellent example of a simple but effective video. Chris Martin sings to the camera while walking on an empty beach. Like the song, the video is a mix of hope and melancholy. The video captures the song’s mood perfectly with just one camera, a single character, and a single location. As of the date this article was written, “Yellow” is close to its 700 millionth YouTube stream.
Remember that a simple video that engages the audience will be far more effective than one that is complex and leaves them underwhelmed.
Be creative
When making DIYs, creativity is the key. Music video. It would be best if you compensated for any lack of funds, crewing, etc., with entertainment value. You can make your video funny, moody, or anything else you like, but you must ensure that it is entertaining to the viewers. Give your viewers a reason to watch your music video.
OK Go hit the nail on its head when they created an entire dance routine for “Here It Goes Once Again.” They TikTok’d before TikTok became a thing. This made for a fun, different, and entertaining video at the time. It was something that no one had ever seen before. It was a video that pushed the limits of what music videos could be. There’s no need for expensive cameras, fancy lighting, or a high-concept narrative.
You can showcase your artistic flair in creative music videos. When creating your DIY music videos, be authentic. The audience will notice. You can be funny if you are naturally funny. If you are naturally avant-garde, then be avant-garde or mix both. In essence, you do you, boo. Do it in a manner that engages your audience.
Budget your finances
After you’ve thought of your video concept, it’s now time to calculate the costs. You can find a variety of free music video budget templates on the Internet. You can find a template that suits you and create a budget to track your spending.
Do you pay a cinematographer or director? Do you have certain resources that you’ll need but don’t? Add everything to the spreadsheet, from crew to equipment, locations, props, and costumes. You can include something that you already have in the spreadsheet as a $0.00 cost.
You’ll be able to tell if you can afford the trip, and if not, you will have an opportunity for cost savings.
Build your crew.
After you have budgeted for a DIY music video of high quality, it is time to gather your crew. Even if the idea is simple, it will require at least one paid or volunteer cameraperson. It’s best to hire an outsider to take on some of the work and let you focus on your performance. However, if there are several members in the band, you can all take turns to hold the camera.
A Director, a Production Designer, a Cinematographer, and a Video Editor are all possible crew members. You may be able to take on most of these roles depending on the scope and size of your video. If you are unfamiliar with certain aspects of filmmaking, you can search for filmmakers on forums, Facebook groups, and databases from film schools.
Making a low-budget music video is a vital part of being a musician today. Independent musicians are becoming more creative, akin to “jacks of all trades,” and that’s a good thing.
You can show your creativity and connect with your audience through a DIY video. You can also be creative and think outside of the box. What is the best thing about DIY music videos? These videos can be a lot of fun.
