A professional Music video Production is not a one man job and requires individuals with different skills to come together and work towards a common goal.
In this article, we discuss in brief their roles and functions.
The Pre-Production Stage
This is the first phase of the production cycle where planning for different aspects of production takes place. A lot of different people are involved in the processes even in a cheap music video production.
- Planning the story
- Director – The main responsibility of production lies with her/him. A music video director is involved at every stage of the production process, helping and guiding others to do their job.
- Screen Writer – They are responsible for coming up with a concept that fits the budget of production. They will then write down all that is going to happen in the video into a script.
- Storyboard Artist – They sketch key frames of the video from the provided script onto a sheet of paper, so that others in the production team have a better understanding of the flow of the story.
- Casting (Director) – In small productions casting is done by the Director himself, whereas in bigger productions, there are specially appointed Casting Directors to cast the talent that will be used in the video.
- Art Department
- Art Director – Looks after and finalises the visual side of the video.
- Set Director – Looks after and finalises the build of set and placements of objects in line with the script.
- Conceptual Artist – When there is an out of ordinary element in a video, it's look and feel is thought out by the Conceptual Artist. Should those aliens be green or pink? Will they have three eyes or four hands?
- Finance
- Executive Producer – Pays for the entire cost of the video.
- Producer – Purchases everything needed for the shoot, carefully picking the right brands.
Production Stage
This is the action stage of the production cycle where the video is recorded.
- Costumes
- Costume Designer – Considers the storyline and designs different costumes for characters according to their role in the video.
- Costume Maker – Finishes the designs of the Costume Designer into a final product that is ready to use.
- Planning the set
- Location Scout – They locate various settings where the music video can be shot.
- Set Builders/Set Constructors – They construct the set from scratch to shoot the video.
- Prop Master – They supply the various props that are needed for the construction of the set.
- Lightning Designer – They look after the placement of lights for the entire video.
- Direction
- Director – Directs the video, considering all aspects of pre-production.
- Assistant Director – Assists the Director.
- Production Assistant – Cues in the talent and arranges for everyone and everything to be present at the right place and the right time.
- Camera
- Director of Photography – Makes the entire video look cool and authentic to the script.
- Camera Operator – Actually shoots the video.
- Camera Assistants – Assist the Camera Operator.
- Sound
- Production Sound Mixer – Listens to the volume and different sounds on the set to mix and record them as required by the script.
- Boom Operator – Prepares microphone plots for the crew and records the sound by using specific equipment such as 'boom mics'.
- Lighting
- Chief Lighting Technician – They are responsible for taking care of all lighting needs on the set.
- Best Boy/Runner – Manually operates the light when it is needed.
- Grip
- Key Grip – Lays down tracks and other equipment firmly in place to facilitate shooting.
- Best Boy/Runner – Holds the camera or equipment in place when directed.
- Wardrobe
- Wardrobe Supervisor – Looks after specific wardrobe needs for the prominent characters in the video.
- Daily Costume Facilitator – Arranges for costumes that would be used by people in background to easily blend in with the set.
- Props
- Property Master – They are the owners of properties that will be used as props in the set.
- Standby Prop Manager – They arrange for standby props for the set.
- Hair and Make-up
- Make up Artist – Applies make up to people who will be in the video according to their character roles in the script.
- Hair Stylist – Styles the hair of the lead characters.
- Prosthetics Artist – Readies the characters with make-up for special effects.
- Performance
- Talent – May be Actors/Singers/Dancers or someone else who will perform in front of the camera.
- Stunt Performers – Act as body doubles for stunts that may be dangerous to perform for the lead talent.
- Choreographer – Choreographs the entire setting of the set, from entry to exit.
Post-Production Stage
This is the last stage of the production cycle where the final look and feel of the video is shaped.
- Editing
- Editor – Sits down with the Director to cut the final video.
- Assistant Editor – Helps the Editor with the work.
- Visual Effects
- VFX Team – Applies all necessary effects to the video.
To know more about the people working in the Music Video Production Industry also read: How to get into Music Video Production?
Shubhit S., ©Epik Music Videos 2014
14/01/2014