Video Project!
Castle on the hill Video Guide Track
Actual Music Video Instructions:
In this video there is no reason to use headphones when you play the guide track, just play it on something nice and loud. We will not be using any audio from this video. Feel free to talk while you’re making it. If you’re playing you should attempt to play the actual song so it looks a little like it’s lining up with the music but it’s not super important. If you’re singing you should actually sing so your lips line up with the music. If you can do the claps in the beginning without messing up your video please do them! KEEP THAT CAMERA SIDEWAYS!
We’ll be doing a video where we’re rocking out hard and then gradually transition to rocking out ridiculous instruments. For this I’ll need a video where you play your regular instrument but kind of go bananas. Then I’ll need 3 more, each with a ridiculous instrument. These videos should all be with the video guide track but NOT with headphones this time. Do the claps at the beginning and then play the song. All this audio will be discarded so it’s ok if you don’t play well or someone screams in the background. Have fun!
Careful Music Video Instructions:
The first video we’ll be making is the “careful” video. For this one the goal is to carefully play the song so we have a good audio track for the final video. I’ll also be using the video from this round to make our “studio” video. To make this video grab some headphones and play along with the video guide track that’s above. In the intro you’ll hear my count, then a clap, another clap and then one more count. After you hear the first count you should clap along with both claps and after the second count start playing the song. The claps are important, if you don’t quite get it right start again. These claps will sync up your video and audio with the rest of the band so if they’re early or late you’ll be out of time in the video. You should play the song as well as you can, maybe do a few takes. DON’T STRESS about perfection though! I can fix a few mistakes in post production so if you crush the whole song but miss a note at the end you’re done. Below are the guidelines for each instrument that will help you get good audio and video so please make sure you read yours before you start. Have fun!
Guidelines for Everyone:
Hold your camera sideways (landscape/horizontal format). No vertical video!
Use headphones to listen to the guide track.
Record in a quiet room. Every sound in your video will end up in the final videos.
Rooms with less echo are better to record in, you’ll sound better. Rooms with furniture, carpet and curtains work well.
Keep your camera steady. If possible, put it on something instead of holding it.
If possible have a solid color for a background, like a painted wall.
You should have plenty of light on you but make sure it’s NOT coming from behind you.
No need to look at the camera, pretend it’s not there.
Phones almost always have better cameras than laptops so if possible use your phone.
Don’t trim the video’s beginning or end. I’ll handle that.
Vocal Video Guidelines:
Keep the camera close. Aim for a head and upper body shot from the side like THIS.
Sing loud, don’t hold back!
Drums Video Guidelines:
A real challenge for recording drums is getting the cymbals to not drown out the other drums.
Play the cymbals lightly and other drums loud. Kick and Snare are most important!
If you have time try a few different camera positions and see which one has the quietest cymbals. Holding the camera close to the floor can help. Try somewhere around the kick drum looking up at the drummer’s face like THIS.
Guitar and Bass Video Guidelines:
Tune right before you make the video! I can help tune on zoom if you don’t have a tuner, just email or text me to set up a time.
Use your amp and turn it up! As long as you can hear the music in the headphones you’re not too loud.
Aim for a video that has your head and most of your instrument like THIS.
If you don’t have an amp it’s VERY important that the room is quiet. I’ll be boosting the signal a lot so any background noise will get boosted too. Play loud but don’t beat on it. Holding the camera like THIS will help.
Keys Video Guidelines:
If you’re playing a piano try holding the camera like THIS. Play normally.
If you are playing a keyboard THIS is a good angle. Keep the volume high.
Demons Castle on the Hill 100 Bad Days Pompeii Justin Pass Pass Pass Pass Kasen Pass Pass Pass No Oliver Pass Pass Pass No Eliot Pass Pass Pass No Eli Pass Pass Pass No
Current Assignment:
Play the old songs once a day.
Kasen: 5/23 This sounds great! Good counting on the intro. You need to tidy up the bridge a little. You’re right now, but it needs practice. Also remember on zoom we talked about doing the Esus4 to E in the verse with a pullout and not volume swell? I think that’ll sound better. Once you dial in those things start playing along with the original recording. You’re ready!
Oliver: 5/26 These are looking really good! The first verse is perfect. The second verse is super close. There’s one more hit on the toms in the end. Also, I’d lead with your right hand in the snare part. Then it lines up with the kick and makes the coordination easier. The chorus beat also sounds great. There’s nothing wrong, it just needs to be smoother and faster. Loop it for 3 minutes whenever you can and just wait, it’ll sort itself out. In the bridge you have the same two small issues as ease 2, lead with your right hand on the snare and one more hit on the toms. That’s it! This all sounds great. I’d say your about ready to try playing along with the record as long as you still spend some time playing the harder parts individually. Solid!
Justin: 5/29 Sick! So precise! Pass. Nice work Justin!
Eli: 5/29 The first transition from chorus to verse was perfect! The second one was weird but only because you forgot to do the eh eh oh eh oh after it before the bridge. Your second verse mistake was hilarious enough to ignore. You’re close!
Eliot: 5/29. Sounds sick Eliot! nice work! If you want the pass send me a version of you playing along with the recording and keeping up! then it’s done!
100 Bad Days Structure:
intro, Verse 2x, Prechorus 2x, Chorus 2x, Intro, Verse 2x, Prechorus 2x, Chorus 2x, Bridge, Chorus with horn lead 3x
Pompeii Structure:
Intro 2x, Verse 4x, Chorus, Verse 4x, Chorus 1 extra progression, Bridge 4x, Chorus 1 extra progression, Intro 2x
Current songs edited to match our key and arrangement:
Track 3 This is Castle on the hill
Phantom Arrangement 100 Bad Days
Videos:
Band of Horses Funeral Verse, Heavy Verse, Chorus, Verse, Heavy Verse, Chorus, Ending