Video Project!
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!
For the rope concept you should be pulling on a rope stretched across the frame. Try to center int vertically and make it tight. Pull towards the left of the screen as if there’s a weight behind you. Do a bunch of shots with different backgrounds, get creative. Sidewalk, Shower, basement, etc. Clara, you need to sing along for this so make sure the video guide track is playing and do full takes of the whole song. Pull in between singing. It might be funny if for part of it you were just standing there but the rope is moving so you look lazy. David, we need one 30 second shot of you being dragged by someone off camera. Have fun!
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.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3:30 The Refractionists 2:30
Radio Fire 3:30
Five More Minutes 2:00
Livewire 8:00
Louisa/Nina/Sunny/Maya/Sybil 4:30 The Osmos 3:30
The Daylights 3:30 Melophobia 4:30
The Vowels
3:00
Marin/Isla/Becca/Jessie/Lucille 9:00
Title Wave 5:30
Hebron Lames 4:30
Ballpit 4:30
Death Destroyer 5:30
The Nevers 4:00
Night Mares 10:00
Decades 5:30
Avani/Fiona/Layla/Nico Band 5:30
Kilonova 5:30
Unicorn Fury 6:30
The Hazards 5:00
The Bloodhunters 11:00
Empire Scorn 7:30
TTADA 6:30
The Favorites 7:30
The Irrelevants 6:00
Ship to Saturn 7:30
Imperfect Strangers
Current Assignment:
Everyone: Play along with the old songs once a day.
Henry: 5/11 Pass! Nice work Henry. Keep playing that and the old ones once a day until we pick a newie. Solid work!
Clara: 4/21 Not bad, but I’m hoping for a not sick version with no excuses;) Video, I want to see the lyric sheet so I can yell at you for it. For fun, watch this woman sing and then watch this guy act fairly ridiculous while he delivers some solid vocal knowledge.
David: 5/19 That sounds great David! You really have been practicing. I would like one more video where the transitions are a little tighter, The hits after the chorus are a little better, and the beat you play in your video at 2:45 looks a little more confident. That’s it! you’re doing good over there.
Alex: 5/26 Pass! Nice work Alex! This one sounds great. I’d spend your time polishing up come a little closer for the rest of the week.
Will: 5/5 Pass! Nice mutes! For now just play the 3 old songs once a day and help me make fun of the others on zoom until they pass. Nice
Current songs edited to match our key and arrangement:
The Burning Cities Arrangement come a little closer
The Burning Cities Arrangement Blood and Peanut butter
The Burning Cities Arrangement Ignorance
Videos: