How to become A Music Video Director

A music video skillfully wraps a song in the layers of the short story it narrates. The audience unwraps the layers of visual imagery to get to the heart of the song. Or the video showcases a concert. In any format, integral to the audiovisual experience is the Music Video Director who delivers an innovative, cohesive, original and memorable product. One that the audience views repeatedly, discovering fresh nuances each time in the props, characters, scenes, camera angles or the twist in the tale.

• Director
• Video Director
• Filmmaker

What do Music Video Directors do?

A Music Video Director would typically need to:

• Supervise the creation process of music videos from the idea conception to final editing
• Oversee production aspects such as performances, lighting, and choreography
• Skilfully manage the design and financial aspects
• Generate a storyline that links with the song
• Conduct auditions and cast the roles for the video; liaise with casting directors and producers to select actors
• Select locations, whether local, further away, indoors or outdoors, or overseas
• Meet with key departments, such as camera, costume and art, throughout planning and filming
• Settle upon a reasonable and practical budget and schedule
• Direct actors and monitor rehearsals and filming, ensuring they abide by the timeline and budget; oversee the technical crew
• Liaise with designers to select outfits, set lighting, sound and choreography
• Collaborate with the editor during postproduction to finalise editing, special effects, music selection and the overall tone; approve the final version
• Promote the finished piece on various media
• Build and expand your network of contacts, including writers, producers, film festival organisers and public funding bodies
• Build and maintain relevant technical skills and stay up to date with industry trends

Music Video Directors may work in studios or outdoor locations, anywhere in the country or overseas. Studios are likely to be located in metropolitan cities.

You would need to travel depending on where the project is going to be filmed.

Depending on the project and its timeframe, the work schedule can vary from one day to another, with evenings, weekends and holidays frequently included. Working more than 40 hours per week is standard practice. If the gig is being shot in remote locations, take into account travel time as well.

Finding gigs might seem challenging. Music Video Producers can boost their job search by networking with artists, managers and record labels through social media, word of mouth or a platform that links creatives and artists. It is also crucial to build a reliable reputation in the industry with each project you complete. 

Experienced directors may land jobs directly as a result of their earlier work or collaborations with artists. However, beginners in music video production must submit impressive treatments (the equivalent of film scripts) to find work. 

Music Video Directors are generally employed by:

• Major & Independent Label Producers
• Film Distributors
• Sales Agents
• Screen Agencies
• Television Stations

Professional associations and organisations, such as We Direct Music Videos (WDMV), are crucial for Music Video Producers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The time-consuming process to plan and develop a project and build the production team 
• The need to travel to remote locations in the country or overseas
• The responsibility to make decisions that may lead to project success or failure
• The stress from having to abide by tight production schedules and having to seek out projects frequently
• Employment insecurity caused by freelance work and the need for a second job to fill gaps in work
• Long and irregular hours of work that can stretch to evenings, holidays and weekends 
• Balancing your creative vision with the need to satisfy clients’ requirements and expectations and anticipating how the audience will receive it

Any relevant academic program that a potential Music Video Director takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. For instance, video production programs may assign students real video projects to help them polish practical skills and acquire experience. You may have the opportunity to work with video directors and producers in live studios or on sets. You can add the experience to strengthen your resume or portfolio to present to prospective employers.

Aspiring directors also learn the ropes by working as runners or assistants on projects, even taking on low-profile studio assignments. Alongside, they may sometimes work on low-budget projects to foster their skills in directing both adults and children. Over time, as you gather experience, you may also build a network of contacts among the community of artists, producers and managers and a reputation of high quality and creativity.

Another way to gain experience is to work as actors, writers, set designers or film editors to understand a director’s role from different perspectives. Contact your local film agencies to find paid and voluntary work opportunities as part of the crew for music video productions.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in music video production to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

A career as a Music Video Director demands no specific qualifications. However, a bachelor’s degree in film production or related subjects may foster your technical skills in directing, acting, scriptwriting, editing, set design, storyboarding and lighting through classroom training and practical opportunities. A comprehensive understanding of all these aspects is essential for a director who is pivotal in creating the final music video. You also learn about the latest techniques and trends in the industry.

You may also choose to take up certificate programs in film studies as a fast track to learning the trade. Such programs vary in length and do not require college-level qualifications. However, they can be helpful for aspiring Music Video Directors who hold a bachelor’s degree in subjects not related to film studies.

While not mandatory, certification demonstrates a Music Video Director’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

While a license to work may not be mandatory for Music Video Directors, make sure you know about other relevant licensing requirements in the music and film industry, such as film copyright licensing, the sync license and the master license. 

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

A Music Video Director’s career usually begins with zero-budget assignments or amateur films by students. With growing experience and reputation, you may work on more elaborate and big-budget projects that are also likely to be in the spotlight as they involve well-known artists. 

Candidates with the necessary skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Music Video Director build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Look for private or government-funded organisations that may have a tie-up with the music video industry and run programs to foster skills and talent among professionals in the field. They also provide information and access to free and subsidised training. Undertaking CPD also helps you build and expand your network.

Integrating technology into an art form such as music videos needs regular updating of knowledge and skills. You may take continuing education (CE) courses in skills that you may not use directly but are helpful for you to build your team, understand and coordinate their work, and run quality control on the output. Such courses include videotape production techniques, electronic tape editing, and the use of cameras and synthesisers. 

A Director vs a Producer

A director is in charge of the artistic and dramatic elements of a music video, visualises its script, coordinates its artistic and dramatic aspects, and guides the technical crew and actors in bringing a creative idea to life. A producer takes care of business functions, such as fundraising, recruiting personnel, and arranging 

distributors.

Music Video Treatments

The pitch you make to a prospective client once you have established contact is called a “treatment”. It is a summary of your idea that is related to the project at hand. 

List out ideas whenever you feel inspired and keep them handy. Treatments must be specific and clear to inspire confidence in your client that you can see the project through to completion from idea to video. 

A standardised template is helpful. Typically, you may begin the treatment with introductory details about the project, the artist and yourself. A summary or the elevator pitch follows with screenshots from referenced videos. You could then elaborate upon your idea with individual scenes. You would also explain the tone and the style you intend to use to tie the content together. 

Even if your treatment is rejected, request feedback and recycle treatments not accepted.

Techniques, Conventions, Genres & Styles

Directors use different techniques to make a video original and engaging. These techniques include cutting to the beat, using visual effects, miming & lip-sync or playback & lip-sync, multi-mage, camera movements & angles, and Chroma Key. 

Music videos also follow specific conventions, such as lyric interpretation, meaning extension or consolidation, allusion, and links to other artists.

Among the popular genres of music videos are pop, hip-hop, rock, comedy, electronic and country. It is critical to match the style of the music video to the song. 

The director may choose among animation, in concert, narration, impressionism, pastiche, parody, surrealism, interpretation, homage, and referencing. 

In short, a Music Video Director must skillfully tie in diverse elements to create a successful and artistic piece. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Music Video Directors have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Music Video Director, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Animation is a recent form of music videos, and it may be a traditional hand-drawn style, stop motion or digital.

It is hardly an exaggeration to say that Music Video Directors epitomise the creative force that takes an idea from conception to fruition. The artistic and the dramatic components of any music video come together in a creative piece through the collaboration between directors and their team of scriptwriters, tech crews, actors and editors. The outcome may become a classic, an oft-played household favourite, an example to emulate.

Study musicals if you wish to create magical music videos. And be open-minded. Resilient. Your brilliant idea may not reach out to the audience from the video, the location you chose closed off due to bad weather. Plans may go awry, but the show must go on. Be creative, embrace the ups and the downs, go with the flow. Incorporate the obstacles, if possible, into your production. Maybe the snowstorm will make the perfect backdrop.