The explosion in popularity of music videos over the last couple decades has opened up a lot of opportunity for success for music video producers. Music videos are short films used to visually represent new songs by artists for the purpose of promotion and advertising.

In the beginning, music video production services were mostly done by film makers, but because of the growth in popularity in recent years professionals need to get music video production education and training specific for the field in order to compete in the industry. Music video production education and training should include various aspects of the business.

1. Making music videos requires complete understanding of the artistic elements of film making.

2. Expertise in all of the technical aspects of professional music video production is needed.

3. Training in this field needs to include instruction for finding work and making money with music video productions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become an expert in music video production software

Making it as a music video producer hinges on expertise with video production software. It is important to invest in quality software that will allow quality editing and other techniques.

I recommend: Avid software, which is one of the most commonly used affordable video editing software, offers software training on-site, at many worldwide learning centers, online and through DVDs. Become a certified user of Final Cut Pro, another affordable video editing software, through correspondence courses or at training centers.

Study music video production at school

As popularity in this field grows and demand for expertise increases, new school programs are being created specifically to educate students in music video production. School programs will cover all aspects from music video production equipment to the business side of things.

I recommend: Musicians Institute offers a certificate program and Associate's degree specifically in producing music videos. Brooks Institute offers a specialty course in Music Video Production within their film program.

Use online resources for learning music video production

There are some online resources that can be used as a starting point in your music video production education and training. This is especially helpful for those who produce videos that want to break into the music business, music producers that want to learn about video production or up and coming musicians who want to produce their own videos.

I recommend: Order training DVDs, books, software or simply get free tips from professionals on music video production from the Music Video Training Center. Order the do-it-yourself manual for musicians, Produce and Promote Your Music Video. For a small price, download the ebook Making Music Videos from VideoMaker.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For success in live music video production, it is essential that you live in an area with a market for music video production companies. Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Nashville are some places with a strong musical presence.
• •  Try to score an internship with a music video production company. They are not easy to come by, but could secure a future in the field with hands-on experience and important industry contacts.

Making music videos can be one of the most creative forms of video production. Music video producers are typically allowed a significant amount of artistic freedom during music video production. Of course, music video production costs as well as promotion of the product (in this case, an artist or band) must remain at the forefront of the project.

If you already have a video production company that produces other types of video, or if you’re an entrepreneur with video production training, consider the following when exploring the benefits of a music video production company:

1. Rent music video production equipment for your first music video projects.

2. If you determine music video production is a good offshoot for your business, invest in your own professional music video production equipment.

3. Use the talents of experienced music video producers to help you create music video productions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Rent music video production equipment

Dip your toe in the water of music video production by renting music video production equipment. This way, you'll get to experience the equipment and the process without making a huge investment.

I recommend: Texcam rents everything from 35mm cameras and digital video cameras to lighting and grip gear. Check out Video Gear Rentals for another option.

Purchase your own music video production equipment

If you'd like to get even more involved in making music videos, consider buying music video production equipment. You can find pretty much anything you need online.

I recommend: Audio Video Systems offers new and used professional music video production equipment. Talamas is another great source for music video production equipment, whether you want to rent or own. ProSource is another option for video and film equipment, including cameras, decks and monitors.

Hire music video producers

Even if you already have a team of producers on your staff, you may want to contract with a music video producer to help show you the ropes. A music video has a completely different feel than a commercial or business training video might, for example, so benefit from the experience of others when starting out.

I recommend: Contact Roc Video Productions for music video production services. Wild Oats Records has an award-winning staff that includes video producers. Find a list of video directors and producers at the Music Video Production Association, or MVPA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider purchasing used music video production equipment. You can find great deals on top-of-the-line equipment that provides all - or most - of the features of new equipment.
• •  Be sure to buy insurance for music video production equipment -- whether it's rented or purchased. Contact your home or business insurance company to see how much coverage you'll need.

It's important for filmmakers as well as pre- and post-production crew to understand music video production key terms to make communications on film sets productive and clear. Time is money so knowing these terms will save valuable time and money during production of music videos. Take the time to learn the key terms for music video production so that you can produce a music video that will get attention and ensure success.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Storyboard

A storyboard is a series of sketches that detail specific things in a music video. It can detail such things as the placement of the singer or musicians, as well as the placement of actors, sets, cameras and other equipment. Directors use storyboards to decide the location of lighting and audio/video equipment.

I recommend: Use this example of a storyboard from Sotherden.

Camera dolly

A camera dolly is a wheeled flat piece of equipment where cameras are mounted. There are camera dollies of all sizes to accommodate different kinds of music video shoots. There are ones small enough to fit through a door or tight areas, and larger ones for outdoor music video productions.

I recommend: Learn about camera dollies at Microdolly Hollywood.

Wireless microphone

Wireless microphones can be used outdoors, on stage or in a recording studio to record music or vocal tracks without wires or cables that make moving around difficult and cumbersome. They have been especially helpful to those in music video production because wired microphones and audio equipment have cables that cover the floor, making it difficult to film scenes where musicians or singers dance and perform.

I recommend: Get information about wireless microphones at Sweetwater.

Steadicam

The steadicam is a stabilizing mount for a camera. It is attached to a camera operator with a harness. For smooth movements during action scenes, the steadicam is the best choice. Instead of jerky movements that sometimes occur with dollies or hand-held cameras, steadicams offer smooth movement and camera shot flexibility.

I recommend: Go to Steadicam to learn about steadicams and how they are used.

Video editing

Video editing is part of the post-production of a music video shoot. Video footage is pieced together to create the final film. There are software programs and services that will help with video editing so that your music video will have the smooth, professional look you want.

I recommend: Read Tobin Productions to learn about video-editing software.

Video transcoding

Video transcoding is the digital-to-digital conversion of from one encoding format to another. This is done so that some videos can be showcased in more than one format. There is also video transcoding software that makes this process easier.

I recommend: Learn about video transcoding software at Thomson.

Producing a music video requires the unique combination of entrepreneurial spirit, business savvy, technical skill, artistic vision, and love of music. Another requirement is money to invest, but the amount can vary greatly. A huge budget with no expense spared does not guarantee a great music video, and a low-budget video shot with limited resources does not equate to a bad production either.

When researching music video production pricing and costs to set a budget, keep the following considerations in mind:

1. Remember that making music videos is all about the music; don't get caught up in special effects and the latest technology.

2. Harness the power of the Internet by online promotion and save more money for music video production costs.

3. Keep in mind the hidden costs of time; time equals money and music video production requires much time.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy a camera for recording music video productions

The best camera for music video producers to use is a DV or digital video. The picture quality is much higher than shooting with other cameras, and the digital format is much easier for editing later on.

I recommend: Purchasing a DV camera will range between $400 and $1,200 from stores like Hi-Tech Enterprises, while renting a DV camera will cost between $50 and $700 per day from places like Video Equipment Rentals.

Find lighting equipment for making music videos

Lighting equipment is needed for any music video production done at indoor locations. The minimum basic music video production equipment for lighting that is needed is cyclorama lights; large lights that illuminate large areas.

I recommend: Find lighting equipment for rent costing between $25 and $200 per light per day, depending on the size and quality of lights. Port Lighting Systems rents lighting equipment. Search for local lighting rental services at the website of Catalyst Exhibits.

Get sound equipment for live music video production

Most cameras come with built-in recorders, but they record in poor quality. Professional music video production sound quality will only come from professional microphone systems.

I recommend: Rent complete sound systems for between $500 and $4,000 per week, depending on the complexity of the sound system, from places like Hi-Tech Audio. Search through listings on Rental-Source.com to find local sound system rental companies.

Use editing software for music video production

Once the film is downloaded from a DV camera to a computer, editing the film is the next step in the process. Most new PCs with Windows XP come with Windows Movie Maker, which is an extremely basic editing software for novices. Adobe Production Premiere is a great editing software with excellent learning tools, and Final Cut Studio is for more advanced music video producers. Both are of top quality and used by the pros.

I recommend: Adobe Production Premiere will costs around $1,700 for a the newest version. Final Cut Studio can be purchased for around $1,300.

Hire music video production services

Contracting a project out to a music video production company is the most expensive way to go, but will ensure the final project is of the highest quality when working with experienced professionals. The prices of contracting out a music video production varies greatly depending on the experience of the company and the quality of their projects. Many companies will ask for your budget and try to work within those limitations. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000.

I recommend: Find a national list of production companies at The Film Connection, or listings local to the entertainment industry capital, L.A., at LA411.com.