I’m just getting started as a director, and I’ve found that the music video is a terrific sandbox in which to play with the toys of cinema on someone else’s dime. This is the first in a series of posts which will add up to a guide to making a music video from start to finish. THis is partly for anyone who is interested in doing the same, and partly for me to collect and systematize my process. I’m totally self-taught here, so this isn’t The Way to make a music vid. Just the way that works for me.

I’m preparing to shoot my next video this weekend, so this series of posts will largely reference what I’m doing for that, and with the finishing post I’ll show you the video.

The Act

I’ve heard of directors being excited to meet a band because “they’re perfect for this time-travelling vampire music video idea I have”. I guess that’s cool. I have never preconceived a video until I’ve heard the song, but some people do. Whatever your approach, though, finding a song to make a video for isn’t always obvious. Here’s some ideas:

1) Hang around a local music venue
Don’t hang around some huge concert hall that big bands come through. If you’re an untested director and you’re trying to cut through a mob of fans to sell your services to some rock star you’re just going to be part of a mob of fans to him/her/it. If this is your first time you’re going to have to start small. See if you can find a band that is just getting started. Show them something you’ve done or just offer to make a video for them. Getting turned down isn’t the end of the world.

2) Look on Craig’s List
This is how I booked my first video. The rapper’s manager put a post up searching for a director who could work for free. I made a compelling case in an email to him. He called me back. Don’t lie, but talk yourself up. Tell them you’re excited to give it a try. This will be a lot easier if you have some video work online that proves that you aren’t an idiot. Never done anything? Time to get some friends together and run around the backyard with mom and dad’s handycam.

3) Make friends with musicians
Go work in a restaurant or something. Maybe hang out at the music store. Basically, try to find an environment to be in that other creative people will also be in. I have had some food service jobs that put me in touch with cool musicians and that led to us working together. If the musical act knows you then there won’t be as much trouble in convincing them to let you make their video.

Essentially, you need to be outgoing and you need to shake hands without coming off like a sleazy grifter. If you’re a sleazy grifter, pick a different hobby. Make some business cards if you want to. Become your own biggest advocate. It probably won’t happen overnight. Just try to keep making the suggestion to people and sooner or later someone will bite.

Couple of things to remember: You’re performing a service for them, so this shouldn’t be your money you’re spending. You might not get paid on the first one, but don’t turn it around and offer to pay for parts of the production. This is why building trust is important. They need to be able to trust you to make them something dope because they’re taking all the risk. Also, be transparent. They’re trying to make it in a tough industry. So are you. They will either sympathize with you or be assholes. I don’t recommend forming collaborations with assholes.

When that happens, tell them to get you a copy of their song as soon as possible, and then you can start to work on it. Tune in next time for Part 2: Dreaming.

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6