Many artists never make it past the initial hurdle moving from amateur to professional. The artists that do all have one thing in common, a high quality music video. Whether its Gangum Style, Whole Foods Parking Lot, Epic Rap Battles of History, Thrift Shop, or one of the new upcoming artists like Lil Dicky, G-Eazy, or Big Sean. It’s also absolutely necessary to be showcased, such as a television appearance, an interview, or articles being written about you. There are many things that must come after a music video, and even when you finish a music video, having the proper timing to release it. Before all of that, it’s important that you realize how important it is for you to have a music video that represents who you are and what you’re about. While on tour in Israel I spent quite a lot of time shooting music videos across the country – it was there that I took a music video intensive bootcamp class; along with 12 other people we learned everything about music videos and editing – in fact, I shot a music video for my song Yeshua – and a few months after (before I released the final version) my iMac was stolen while I was on tour in Haifa, Israel with a new band I had formed called Shaloha, thus the footage was lost. That being said, the reason why I’m back in Hawaii after spending a year in Hollywood after Israel, is to brand myself as Prince Eric and answer the question, “What is Love?” My goal is to provide record label quality services to artists and to network talented individuals in the music industry with each other to form powerful teams, which is the only thing you’re lacking if you’ve got musical talent, drive, and engage in “positively risky” behavior. (What I mean by positively risky is this: When you take a risk, you risk losing something – whether its your dignity or your driver’s license / when you take a positive risk – it’s more along the lines of sending a video message to your favorite producer and asking for help – it may not happen, but it just might.)
So here we are, the meat of the article – How to Shoot a Music Video on a Budget.
1. Go to the Party where the Videographers Are At.
During the Bacardi Pool Party in Waikiki I saw an opportunity to shoot some music video scenes for an upcoming music video. The party was going on, the girls were there, the videographers were running around capturing the moment, and I walked straight up to the MC, asked if she could announce that I was shooting a music video, and proceeded to go to the coolest looking people, telling them to follow me to the Jacuzzi. The bigger my group got, the bigger it got, until we were in the Jacuzzi, money was flying in the air, girls were dancing with their arms around me, and my friends were making cameos in the background.
2. Posting ads on Craigslist announcing the Music Video Concept.
Sometimes when you share your vision, people automatically gravitate towards it and want to help. When people embrace a new idea, when they see something in their mind, it’s almost easier for them to take action on it, in order to make it come to pass, than to forget about it all together. Not everyone needs extra money, some people just want to do what they want to do because it’s what they love and enjoy. Music videos are fun, and they always should be fun, so inviting people to be apart of a music video is usually a big highlight – and people really are proud of being in a music video, just like in Hawaii people are happy to be barely paid above minimum wage to be an extra in Hawaii Five-O, just for the bragging rights. People love being in music videos, and videographers like shooting music videos – it’s a fun process for everyone – so if your concept is fun, post your vision, and people just might flock to help you with it. free of charge.
3. Using your Five Messages a day on Model Mayhem.
As a regular member of Model Mayhem, you’re allowed to send 5 messages a day to people. Use all 5 of those every single day connecting with photographers – share your vision for the music video and ask if they would help shoot it so they can add it to their portfolio. Many of them will say yes because they may just be in the photography world, and want to branch out into music, some may just be bored, and others may be able to bring more people to be in the music videos and might have some amazing creative input.
4. Think of a Unique Concept and Do Something Awesome in a Beautiful Setting.
Remember the music video Justin Bieber did with Nicki Minaj? It seemed like Go-Pro selfie footage, or the video that Devin Supertramp did for the Jetlev Water Jetpack and the World’s Hugest Rope Swing? Sometimes when you’re doing something incredibly cool or unique, basic footage is sufficient just because the action behind the footage is so amazing – so think of a cool setting and something awesome to do.
5. Have the Music Video Pay for Itself.
Product Placement and sponsorships may be an amazing course of action if you have some sort of a track record on your social media. Think of brands and products that may have to do with your video, your concept, or you as an artist. Sometimes I reach out to companies who have things that I want, or companies from whom I’ve already purchased something and it’s gotten worn down and I want to replace it. I tell people who have products or services that I want that in exchange for a free product I’ll promote them – and it’s worked, countless times, I get a free product, they get the promotions and everyones happy! Try this – make a list of 20 brands or products that would be fitting to be promoted in your Music Video and ask them each to donate $100 towards the project – or $100 in products, then go sell the products and use that money to pay for the music video!
