How to Become a Music Video Director

Becoming a music video director does have its perks. You'll hang out with famous musicians, plus get a nice paycheck. However, before you get to that point, you need to learn the tricks of the trade and have the vision to collaborate with the artists as well as have your artistic style seen by the right people. The following steps will help get you started on the road to being a music video director.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Digital camera
• Directing books
• Film technique books
• Bands

1. Start learning about still photography. This will eventually help you to understand framing for your music videos.
2. Practice with a digital camera filming local bands so you have some footage to work with. You can see what works and what doesn't with camera angles and lighting. Garage bands that are just starting out will love the attention, especially if you can give them something to put on a MySpace.
3. Watch all types of music videos as each genre of music has its own style. Focus on the style you like best and work to perfect your technique to capture your preferred music style.
4. Major in film directing coursework or take individual classes on film and video art. Working with film and digital video offer different challenges. Music videos are usually done digitally, so it would behoove you to learn more digital aspects, but it wouldn't hurt to also know the film side.
5. Network with local bands and ask them if you can shoot a music video for them, which allows you to work up your portfolio (or reel as they call it in the business). The more videos you do, the more practice you will have and knowledge you will gain.

Tips & Warnings

• When learning about being a music video director, it's good to learn the special styles of top directors. For example, McG, a well-known music video director who also directed such films as "Charlie's Angels," is known for his bright colors, fast paced scenes and split scene technique. It all started for him through still photography, capturing live bands. His dynamic style has also given him the chance to direct music videos for such bands as Sugar Ray and The Offspring.