By Mike Romero
As a musician, creating a music video is a great way to promote your music and connect with your audience. But with so many music videos out there, it can be a challenge to make your video stand out and engage your viewers. So, how can you create a unique and engaging music video? Here are a few tips.
#1. Start with a clear concept.
Before you even start filming, it’s important to have a clear concept in mind for your music video. This could be something as simple as a performance video, or something more complex and narrative-driven. Whatever your concept, make sure it’s something that reflects your music and your brand, and that it’s visually interesting and engaging. It doesn’t have to be crazy. Take this video by Sego for example. The concept is engaging, but simple: how the band members look is constantly shifting throughout the video.
#2. Choose an interesting location.
The location of your music video can play a big role in its overall aesthetic and impact. Choose a location that is visually interesting and that helps to set the mood and tone of your video. This could be something as simple as a cozy living room, or something more grandiose like a stunning natural landscape. The video for “I See Stars” by Michael Barrow & The Tourists and ysabelle only works because of the beauty of the location, which was shot in the mountains overlooking Utah Lake at sunset.
#3. Incorporate visual effects.
Visual effects can help to add an extra layer of interest to your music video and make it stand out. This could be something as simple as adding a filter to your footage, or something more complex like creating an animated sequence. Just be sure to use visual effects in moderation and make sure they add value to your video rather than detracting from it. A good example is none other than the queen of filters herself, Beeson.
#4. Experiment with different camera angles and shots.
The way you film your music video can greatly impact its overall aesthetic and impact. Experiment with different camera angles and shots to add visual interest and keep your viewers engaged. This could include close-ups, wide shots, aerial shots, or anything in between. Foreign Figures makes great use of a fish-eye lens in this video for “Summertime Catalog.”
#5. Incorporate interesting props and costumes.
Props and costumes can help to add an extra layer of interest to your music video and help to tell a story. Just be sure to choose props and costumes that are relevant to your concept and that add value to your video rather than distracting from it. “Cup of Tea” by The Solarists made great use of minimalistic props with bold, visually striking impact.
#6. Edit your video for maximum impact.
The editing process is a crucial step in creating a unique and engaging music video. Experiment with different transitions and effects to create a cohesive and visually interesting video. Just be sure to keep things simple and avoid overloading your video with too many effects. Citizen Soldier does a brilliant job with the way they reveal titles, pace their lyrics, and create a kinetic editing style.
#7. Promote your video.
Once your music video is complete, it’s important to promote it to get it out there and seen by as many people as possible. This could include sharing it on your social media channels, submitting it to music video websites and blogs, and reaching out to music industry professionals and journalists to get coverage. H*ck, you can gain traction simply through consistency. Consistent, engaging releases help you build an organic following over time. The National Parks are the kings of consistency. Their production value has come a long way from their first music video 10 years ago, but they’ve been consistently charming and authentic the whole way through.
In conclusion, creating a unique and engaging music video requires a combination of creativity, planning, and promotion. By starting with a clear concept, choosing an interesting location, incorporating visual effects, experimenting with different camera angles and shots, and promoting your video effectively, you can create a music video that stands out and resonates with your audience.
If you want a gorgeous music video from the Utah music scene that makes great use of filters, camera angles, locations, costumes, and concepts, watch “wonder eye” by Little Moon.