The Music Video "Don't Forget This!" Checklist
It’s finally showtime. You’ve arranged the song, revising and meticulously adjusting each section to your liking. The recordings are pristine, refined, and showcase your brilliance on the electric violin. The mix is unquestionably punchy, smooth, and your audience is waiting eagerly for the grand spectacle they know you can deliver on and… your camera has no batteries.
In the modern music-making day, creating your own music videos and filming performances is more than just an avenue for advertising works, it’s a necessity. Despite its importance to DIY artists it has consistently been one of the most daunting processes and the expectations to make an engaging, interesting music video only grow by the years. Through my experience filming my own music videos for 12 years and a variety of artists in the video game (music) scene such as DiscoCactus, Carlos Eiene/insaneintherainmusic, Joe Zieja, and speaking with other videographers, I set out to create the best possible walkthrough. The Prima Strategy Guide, if you will, to planning your next music video.
Feel free to bookmark this page, print it out, save it as a PDF, and share your successes with us!
🎸 MUSIC PREP 🎸
Song is finalized as needed to film performances and sync later
Song has been exported for necessary format for playback during performance
Exported “Playback” has a click-track, count-in, and lead time
Exported “Playback” is uploaded to playback device, storage, etc
Song has been rehearsed for accurate performance by all involved musicians
Instruments are packed, cleaned, with all necessary accessories for video
Loudspeaker or audio-sync device is packed for editing sync later
Charged and packed with necessary cables
🎥 CAMERA PREP 🎥
Camera Body Check
Resolution is highest necessary and desired for project
Set Frame Rate to desired (24/25 FPS is standard recommended)
Shutter Speed set (Set this to 1 / (2 times your frame rate) as a recommendation)
24FPS = 1/50, 30FPS = 1/60
Set color-space, profiles if applicable (LOG formats, color-space)
Format your SD Cards and check enough disk space for your planned shoot
An hour of 4K Footage on a DSLR can average 45GB
Recommend a 256GB SD Card with a 100 Mb/s speed!
Keep a backup memory card in case of overheating or problems
LAPTOP for backing up between shoots for extra redundancy
Lens Check
Clean and pack all necessary lenses
Keep multiple ND Filters for the respective lenses, especially for outdoors
Pack FX filters and other tools
Pack a lens wipe, cleaning cloth, etc
Batteries Check
Charge and pack Batteries for camera body or AC-Adapter
💡 GEAR PREP 💡
Accessory Check
Stabilizer/Gimbal is tested, calibrated for 1st camera/lens combo
Batteries charged and packed
External Monitor
Batteries charged and packed
Slider
Batteries charged and packed, or AC/Adapter
Necessary Tripod/Stand is packed
Drone/Action Cameras
Batteries charged and packed, or AC/Adapter
Controller charged and packed, or AC/Adapter
Separate SD-Card/microSD is formatted and loaded
Lighting Check
All light sources are charged/packed
Portable Lights are charged/packed
RGB Colors have been tested on camera and/or chosen
Sufficient Lights packed for low-light shoots/indoors
Lighting has been mapped out for set(s) if applicable
Costumes/Props Check
All costumes are cleaned, prepped/packed, with back-ups for spills/tears
All props are cleaned, packed, with camera tests if necessary
If Green-Screening, all props/costumes do not contain non keyable elements
🧑 PEOPLE PREP 👧
Water Bottles for all participants, crew, musicians
Snacks for all participants, crew, musicians
Shooting Schedule/Shot List Created and reviewed
Storyboard or necessary shot information packed/stored
Sufficient break times, preparation, setup/teardown times
Set(s) and Filming Locations are Checked
Directions to all places noted and schedule is locked
Permissions granted for all locations and safety precautions taken
Gas in car, public transportation arranged, etc
Weather is acceptable and safe to film in
Cameraperson(s) and assistants are familiarized with gear/operations
Editor, if applicable, is familiar with footage format, sets, and objectives
FINAL PREP
Check your list twice!
Hydrate often and put safety first always!
If filming alone, have a friend/trusted person aware of your locations
Follow all local laws, rules, regulations, and be polite and patient!
Make an excellent video!