INTENSIVE MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION

INTENSIVE MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION

Unit Value: 4.5 units

Course Description:
This intensive, month-long course provides hands-on experience in professional music video production. Students will rapidly develop, shoot, and deliver high-quality music videos while working directly with local musicians in a simulated industry environment. The course emphasizes practical production skills, creative direction, and industry-standard deliverables, with a strong focus on efficient workflow and professional outcomes within a compressed timeframe.

Learning Outcomes (Course Objectives):
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply focused production techniques specific to music video creation under tight deadlines.

  2. Rapidly develop creative concepts in direct response to musical works.

  3. Manage professional relationships effectively with artists and collaborators.

  4. Execute efficient production schedules within compressed timeframes.

  5. Deliver high-quality content meeting technical specifications for various distribution platforms.

  6. Create essential production documentation suitable for professional contexts.

Prerequisites:

  • Successful completion of introductory media production courses.

  • Basic proficiency with camera equipment and editing software.

  • Understanding of fundamental production processes.

Assumed Knowledge:

  • Basic cinematography principles.

  • Fundamental editing techniques.

  • Project management basics.

  • Basic understanding of music and rhythm.

Course Teaching Pattern:

  • 3 x 3-hour intensive workshops per week (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday) over a one-month period.

  • Significant additional production hours as scheduled for shoots and post-production.

  • Consultation hours by appointment with course staff.

Professional Recognition & Work Integrated Learning:
This course simulates direct industry engagement through collaboration with practicing musicians. These intensive experiences provide opportunities for:

  • Rapid development of a professional portfolio piece (a completed, high-quality music video).

  • Networking with musicians and gaining experience in client collaboration.

  • Creation of a work suitable for submission to festivals or online showcases.

  • Experience in accelerated industry-standard workflows.
    The final music videos may be showcased at a public screening event or online platform at the conclusion of the course.

Materials and Equipment:

  • Students will have access to (provided by the institution):

    • Professional camera equipment.

    • Lighting kits.

    • Audio recording equipment.

    • Post-production facilities.

    • Industry-standard software.

  • Students are expected to provide:

    • Portable hard drive (minimum 1TB, USB 3.0 or faster recommended).

    • Professional-quality headphones.

    • Basic production tools (e.g., gaffer tape, camera slate app – a specific list to be provided in the first session).

Risk Management:
All production activities must comply with institutional risk assessment procedures. Students must complete safety inductions for equipment and locations before production begins. Due to the intensive nature of the course, particular attention must be paid to managing fatigue and ensuring safe working hours during the compressed production schedule. Comprehensive risk assessments are a mandatory part of pre-production.

Schedule (Condensed One-Month Structure – 12 Sessions Total)

(Note: "Session" numbers below correspond to the 12 intensive workshops, typically 3 per week over 4 weeks.)

WEEK 1: Foundations & Rapid Concept Development

  • Session 1: Foundations and Industry Context

    • Intensive course introduction, project structure, and assessment overview.

    • History and evolution of music video production; key styles and genres.

    • Guest lecture/Case Study: Insights from an experienced music video director or analysis of a swift, successful production.

    • Technical overview of available equipment, facilities, and efficient workflow expectations.

  • Session 2: Artist Meet & Greet / Song Selection

    • Introduction to participating musicians (or process for artist pairing).

    • Rapid song presentations and selection process.

    • Initial artist-director discussions: quickly understanding artist vision and brand.

    • Establishing communication protocols for an intensive schedule.

    • Assignment: Initial rapid response (e.g., key ideas, visual hooks) to selected song (due Session 3).

  • Session 3: Conceptual Development & Treatment Sprint

    • Intensive concept development workshop based on selected songs.

    • Treatment writing fundamentals – focus on concise and impactful communication.

    • Visual reference compilation and mood board creation under pressure.

    • Deliverable: First draft treatment (concise format) submitted for immediate feedback.

WEEK 2: Accelerated Pre-Production

  • Session 4: Technical Foundations & Pre-Production I

    • Focused workshop: Camera techniques specific to music video production for efficient coverage.

    • Workshop: Lighting for speed and impact in music videos.

    • Location scouting methodology – rapid assessment and decision-making.

    • Risk assessment and production planning for tight turnarounds.

    • Practical: Quick camera and lighting exercises.

  • Session 5: Pre-Production II – Logistics & Planning

    • Storyboard development – key frames and essential shots.

    • Shot listing for maximum efficiency.

    • Location confirmations and rapid logistical planning.

    • Budget planning for limited-resource, fast-paced projects.

    • Production schedule development – optimizing for a condensed timeframe.

    • Guest input: Tips from a production manager on intensive shoots.

  • Session 6: Final Pre-Production & Green Light

    • Treatment and storyboard presentation to artists – focused feedback and quick revisions.

    • Rapid technical recce (if feasible) or detailed virtual planning.

    • Equipment tests and final production meetings.

    • Deliverable: Complete Pre-Production Package (Assessment 1 - 30%) due.

WEEK 3: Intensive Production Phase

  • Session 7: Production Week 1 (Shoot Days)

    • Principal photography begins and proceeds intensively.

    • On-set supervision, rapid problem-solving.

    • Daily rushes reviews (brief, focused).

    • Progress documentation.

  • Session 8: Production Week 2 (Shoot Completion & Data)

    • Completion of principal photography.

    • Backup shoot windows (if absolutely critical and pre-scheduled).

    • Initial footage review and efficient data management workshop.

    • Deliverable: Production Management Documentation (Assessment 2 - 20%) due.

  • Session 9: Post-Production I – Rough Cut Assembly

    • Editing workflow establishment for speed and quality.

    • Rapid rough cut development.

    • Guest lecture/Review: Professional editor provides insights on fast-turnaround music video editing.

    • Individual consultation sessions on edit progress.

WEEK 4: Final Post-Production & Delivery

  • Session 10: Post-Production II – Fine Cut & Polish

    • Intensive fine cut development incorporating feedback.

    • Color grading essentials for music videos.

    • Visual effects implementation (if planned and feasible within the timeframe).

    • Artist/client feedback sessions – managing expectations and revisions efficiently.

    • Final adjustments and picture lock.

  • Session 11: Delivery & Finalization

    • Final color grade application.

    • Export specifications workshop for various platforms.

    • Delivery package preparation.

    • Deliverable: Final Music Video (Assessment 3 - 50%) due.

  • Session 12: Screening Event & Wrap-up

    • Public screening/online showcase of completed music videos.

    • Industry networking opportunity (if a physical event).

    • Artist performances (optional).

    • Course wrap-up, reflection, and discussion of portfolio use.

Assessment Components & Due Dates:

(Ensure these align with the Session numbers for this intensive format)

  1. Assessment 1: Pre-Production Package (30%)

    • Due: Session 6

    • (Components as previously detailed: Treatment, Storyboard, Shot List, Production Schedule, Location Documentation, Risk Assessment – ensure word counts/scope are appropriate for an intensive timeframe if needed)

  2. Assessment 2: Production Management (20%)

    • Due: Session 8

    • (Components as previously detailed: Production Documentation, Schedule Adherence, On-Set Problem Solving, Behind-the-Scenes Content, Dailies/Footage Organization)

  3. Assessment 3: Final Music Video (50%)

    • Due: Session 11

    • (Components from the original document are: Completed music video, Technical specifications met, Artist approval, Supporting documentation, Master file uploaded, Compressed preview file uploaded. Notes on artist song, technical quality, artist approval, copyright, portfolio piece, and screening event should be generalized, removing "Channel 44" specifics.)

    • Technical Specifications: (As listed, these are good general specs: Resolution, Frame rate, Codec, Audio, Aspect ratio, Color space, Safe areas, Audio levels.)