Research and Planning: Process to writing a music video script by Nigel Dick

CHAPTER FOUR WRITING CONCEPTS So, we've established that bands need videos and that videos get made once a director has written a treatment or a concept. But why do you need a concept, how do you write one and what makes a good one? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 1) IT'S HOW YOU GET A JOB It's an essay writing contest, you might be up against 10 other people. 2) IDEAS ARE WHAT SEPARATE YOU FROM THE REST OF THE PACK  YOU WILL SPEND 50% OF YOUR YEAR WRITING CONCEPTS Doing the job, and showing what you've got only occurs after you've secured the gig. 3) IT'S THE SCRIPT FOR THE DIRECTOR You might be able to busk it on the day, but in the long run, if it's not in the script it won't be in the film. Coming up with ideas on the set will be too late, Yes you may be inspired on the day, but cannot always rely on that. 4) IT'S THE SCRIPT FOR EVERYONE ON SET The Camera department, the art department and everyone else will refer  to your concept, written weeks ago as their blueprint! 5) IT WILL BECOME PART OF THE CONTRACT HOW DO YOU GET TO WRITE?1) HUSTLE! Your rep or you hustles: The label / Managers /Artists (See Chapter 2 and 3) 2) RECEIVE CD 3) ASK QUESTIONS: When? Where? How Much?  What Do You Want? What Don't You Want? Speak to the band. WHICH ACTS SHOULD YOU WRITE FOR?1) ARTISTS YOU KNOW? 2) ARTISTS YOU?VE NEVER HEARD OF? 3) ARTISTS YOU LIKE? 4) ARTISTS YOU DON?T LIKE? 5)  ALL OF THE ABOVE! ...SO NOW YOU'RE GOING TO WRITE A CONCEPT TYPES OF VIDEO1) PERFORMANCE VIDEO E.G. Evenflow (Pearl Jam), Party Hard (Andrew W.K.) 2) TOTAL CONCEPT VIDEO E.G. Sabotage (Beastie Boys), Tool Videos 3) STORY VIDEO E.G. Thriller (Michael Jackson), 4) GAG VIDEO E.G. Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel), Clint Eastwood (Gorillaz) 5) FILM CLIP VIDEO E.G. Chad Kroeger (Hero - Spiderman) 6) DANCE VIDEO E.G. Baby One More Time (Britney Spears) Praise You (Fatboy Slim) HYBRIDS: E.G. Seven Nation Army (White Stripes)  Performance with Gag THE PEOPLE TO PLEASE1) THE ARTIST / BAND 2) THE ARTIST'S MANAGER 3) THE VIDEO PERSON AT THE LABEL 4) THE A&R PERSON AT THE LABEL 5) THE HEAD PERSON AT THE LABEL 6) THE FILM PEOPLE: THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR / THE PRODUCERS &  EXEC. PRODUCERS / THE DIRECTOR / THE FILM DISTRIBUTOR & MARKETING (Only applies to Soundtrack video). 7) YOURSELF RULES1) DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO SHOOT IT? 2) IS IT POSSIBLE WITHIN THE BUDGET? 3) IS IT RIGHT FOR THE ARTIST? 4) IS IT RIGHT FOR MTV - IS IT BROADCASTABLE? 5) IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU? 6) IS IT BORING  - HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? 7) IS IT YOUR BEST IDEA? HOW TO COME UP WITH IDEAS1)  LISTEN TO THE LYRICS (Beware ? ideas can be limited -see addendum.) 2) BRAINSTORMING 3) PICK A FAVOURITE IDEA AND MAKE IT WORK (keep a list of ideas) 4) WRITE DOWN ANYTHING - EVEN IF IT'S TO GET THE BAD IDEAS OUT OF YOUR HEAD 5) LOOK AT PICTURES, FILMS, BOOKS WRITING YOUR CONCEPT1) PRESENTATION - spelling, grammar! 2) MAKE IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND 3) ...BUT BE CONCISE 4) DON'T BE VAGUE - leads to misunderstandings. 5) DON'T BE SYCOPHANTIC - No-one likes a weasel. 6) DON'T SECOND GUESS THE ARTIST / CLIENT - Go with what you  believe. 7) MEAN EVERY WORD YOU SAY - You would do anything to shoot this idea. 8) INCLUDE PICTURE REFERENCES WHERE POSSIBLE WHAT NOW?1) SUBMIT 2) REWRITE (They like your reel but what they really wanted was?) 3) BUDGET 4) REWRITE AGAIN (Budget's too high) 5) WAIT! SOURCE: http://www.nigeldick.com/