How We Film Music Videos at DIRXECP
A music video takes vision, planning and execution in equal parts. Here's how we run ours at DIRXECP, broken into the three stages every project goes through: pre-production, production and post.
Step 1: Pre-production
Everything that makes shoot day go smoothly happens before the camera comes out.
Concept
We start with the artist: the mood, the visuals, the story they want to tell. For Mattmac's "Yeah," that meant planning around movement. Travel, making beats, and performing in places that felt different from each other. Matching the visuals to the feel of the song is the whole job.
Shot list and storyboard
Once the concept is locked, we build a shot list and storyboard. They keep the day organized, make sure nothing critical gets missed, and let everyone see the flow of the video before we shoot a frame.
Location scouting
We check every location for light, access and permissions. If drones are in the plan, we confirm the airspace and what approvals the site needs before we commit to it. Knowing the space ahead of time is how you avoid surprises.
Tip: scout early, and check restrictions and the forecast before you lock anything in.
Step 2: Production
Setting up
On set it's all hands on deck: cinema cameras, drones and FPV for the moves a ground camera can't make, and lighting built for the look. Our NEEWER TL60 RGB tubes are a favourite for practical-looking colour that we can tune shot by shot.
Getting the shots
We usually start wide to establish the space, then work into close-ups and movement that carry the emotion and energy. On "Tell Ya What" that meant everything from boarding a plane to live performance, so the edit had real range to pull from.
Tip: shoot more than you think you need. Post will thank you.
Step 3: Post-production
Organizing and the rough cut
Footage gets organized first, then we build a rough cut to see the overall flow and fix structural problems early.
Colour and effects
Next comes the grade, so the look matches the mood of the track, plus any effects or transitions that actually help the story.
Cutting to the music
The most important part: every beat, transition and cut has to sit right on the track. That's what makes a video feel like it belongs to the song.
Tip: keep the artist in the feedback loop through the edit so the final cut matches their vision.
Wrapping up
A music video is a collaboration: preparation, creativity and a crew that trusts each other. If you're ready to make yours, see our music video packages or get in touch. Follow @dirxecp for more behind-the-scenes.
Keep reading
Comments