Of all the video genres out there, the one which allows for the most creative licence is music video production. The main aim is to promote the band and the song, but otherwise, the more innovative, the better. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement and end up out of time and money. If you’re hiring a music video production London company, here are seven tips to make sure you stay on track throughout the process so you don’t end up with a half-finished film and a shattered dream.

  1. The most important factor is your budget. Within reason, it doesn’t matter how much you have; these days you can do a lot with a little. But it is critical to know what your upper limit is so you can work within it. If you’re on a tight budget – as most people are – the more planning you do beforehand, the quicker you’ll be able to shoot and the less it will cost.
  2. Do research. And lots of it. Familiarise yourself beforehand with how music videos are made (there are plenty of resources out there on the internet). That way, you know what to expect and what’s possible. When finding the right music video production company, remember that general expertise in videography doesn’t necessarily mean expertise in making music videos. Do they have relevant, specific experience?
  3. Then your vision. You can come to your music video production company with a blank piece of paper, but the more idea you have about direction and what you want, the easier it will be to stick to your budget. That doesn’t mean the experts will have no input, in fact you should expect them to suggest great ideas to add to the mix.
  4. Be aware of how costs will add up. For example, if you’re planning multiple locations, bear in mind the costs of moving equipment. How many cameramen will you need and for how long? Will you need lighting? How much editing will be necessary to get to the final product? If you will want graphics and text added to your final video, that’s an extra cost. The more time, manpower and expertise needed, the greater the cost. Obviously.
  5. Get multiple quotes from suitably qualified music video production companies. If they’re all telling you what you want costs three times as much as your budget, then it’s time to rethink. Start again or be prepared to compromise.
  6. Once you’ve made your choice, the key to working successfully with a music video production company is communication – right throughout the process. Make sure you pick one that understands your vision. You have to work closely with these people and you won’t gel if both sides have very different approaches. You need to build up trust from the outset. But trust doesn’t mean naivety, so get a contract in place as soon as possible.
  7. Don’t have just one plan. Have many back up plans. If your location is outdoors, what will you do if it rains on the day of the shoot? Ensure your music video production company has contingencies in place if equipment breaks down. Assume things will go wrong (and maybe they won’t).

The internet is a democracy. It’s opened up a wealth of opportunities for artists. People find their own music now and if they like it, they share it. Fans are hungry for more content and if you get your music video production right, they’ll do your promotion for you. So the key to your success is planning, planning and more planning.