Music Video Pre-Production Checklist

Bypophitchcock

A good music video usually starts long before the camera comes out.

A lot of problems that happen on a music video shoot can be prevented during pre-production. Missing locations, unclear concepts, bad lighting conditions, not having enough time, forgetting props, running out of battery, or realizing halfway through the shoot that you don’t have the shots you need can turn an otherwise good idea into a frustrating production.

I’ve found that the more organized you are before the shoot, the more freedom you actually have once you’re on location.

You don’t want to spend your entire shoot figuring out what you’re supposed to be doing.

You want to show up knowing what you’re trying to create.

This is the music video pre-production checklist I would use before shooting an independent music video.

1. Listen to the Song

Before planning anything visually, listen to the song.

Not just once.

Listen to it enough that you understand its structure and personality.

Pay attention to:

  • Intro
  • Verses
  • Choruses
  • Bridges
  • Beat switches
  • Instrumental sections
  • Vocal changes
  • Drops
  • Outros
  • Major lyrical moments

Think about what the song actually feels like.

Is it dark?

Aggressive?

Melancholic?

Chaotic?

Dreamlike?

Minimal?

Energetic?

The visual concept should have some relationship with the music.

You don’t necessarily need to literally illustrate the lyrics, but you should understand the emotional world you’re trying to build.

2. Decide What Kind of Music Video You’re Making

Before you start planning individual shots, decide what kind of video you’re making.

It could be:

  • Performance-based
  • Narrative
  • Conceptual
  • Experimental
  • Performance + narrative
  • Performance + B-roll
  • Location-based
  • Studio-based
  • One-take
  • Multi-location

You can combine multiple approaches.

For example, a performance-based video can still have a loose narrative or experimental sections.

The important thing is knowing the general direction before you start spending time and money.

3. Develop the Visual Concept

You don’t need a 30-page screenplay for every music video.

Sometimes the concept can be extremely simple.

For example:

The artist performs throughout an abandoned industrial location while the environment gradually becomes more chaotic.

That’s already enough to start developing the visuals.

Think about:

  • Color palette
  • Locations
  • Wardrobe
  • Lighting
  • Camera movement
  • Props
  • Performance style
  • Editing style
  • Overall mood

The concept gives everyone something to work toward.

4. Create a Shot List

A shot list is one of the most useful things you can have on a music video shoot.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Write down the shots you know you need.

For example:

Performance

  • Wide performance
  • Medium performance
  • Close-up performance
  • Side profile
  • Low-angle performance
  • Tracking shot
  • Handheld performance

B-Roll

  • Walking through location
  • Detail shots
  • Environmental shots
  • Close-ups of hands
  • Close-ups of clothing
  • Objects related to the concept
  • Location details

Experimental

  • Reflections
  • Extreme close-ups
  • Overhead shots
  • Low-angle shots
  • Movement around the artist
  • Obstructed shots
  • Slow-motion shots

You don’t have to follow the list perfectly.

The purpose is to make sure you don’t forget important coverage.

5. Figure Out Your Locations

Location scouting should happen before the shoot.

Don’t assume a location will work just because it looks interesting in photographs.

Go there if possible.

Look at:

  • Available space
  • Lighting
  • Backgrounds
  • Noise
  • Electricity
  • Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Permission requirements
  • Weather exposure
  • Time-of-day lighting
  • Other people using the location
  • Safety concerns

A location can look incredible at 2 PM and completely different at 9 PM.

Think about when you’re actually going to shoot there.

6. Get Permission

This is easy to overlook.

If you’re filming on private property, make sure you have permission.

Some locations may also have restrictions on:

  • Tripods
  • Lighting equipment
  • Crew size
  • Drones
  • Audio recording
  • Vehicles
  • Special effects

Getting kicked out halfway through a shoot isn’t a production problem you want to solve on the day.

Handle it beforehand.

7. Check the Lighting

Visit the location around the time you expect to shoot.

Look at where the sunlight is coming from.

Check:

  • Windows
  • Direct sunlight
  • Shadows
  • Existing lights
  • Streetlights
  • Practical lights
  • Available power
  • Dark areas
  • Reflections

Ask yourself:

Does this location already look good, or do I need to create the look?

That answer determines how much lighting equipment you need.

8. Plan the Lighting Setup

Once you understand the location, decide what you need to bring.

Your lighting package might be extremely simple.

For example:

  • One key light
  • One LED
  • One reflector
  • Diffusion
  • Extension cords
  • Batteries

Or it might be more complicated.

Think about the visual style of the video rather than bringing every light you own.

If you’re shooting an intentionally dark video, you may not need to illuminate the entire location.

You might only need enough light to shape the artist and create separation from the background.

9. Decide on Your Camera Setup

Before the shoot, decide what your general camera setup will be.

Think about:

  • Resolution
  • Frame rate
  • Shutter speed
  • Aperture
  • ISO
  • White balance
  • Picture profile
  • Autofocus/manual focus
  • Lens selection
  • Stabilization

For a typical cinematic music video, I might use:

4K

24 FPS

1/48 or 1/50 shutter

Then adjust aperture and ISO according to the scene.

For slow motion, I might switch to 60 FPS and use around 1/120 shutter.

The exact settings depend on the camera, lighting, and creative style.

The important thing is to figure out your baseline before you’re standing on location trying to remember everything.

10. Decide Which Shots Need Slow Motion

Don’t wait until the edit to figure this out.

If you know certain moments should be slow motion, plan them.

Think about:

  • Walking
  • Movement
  • Hair/clothing movement
  • Crowd shots
  • Objects falling
  • Performance moments
  • Transitions
  • Environmental B-roll

You don’t need to shoot everything at 60 FPS.

Use higher frame rates when you actually want to manipulate time.

11. Choose Your Lenses

Decide what lenses you’ll realistically use.

Different focal lengths can give you completely different images.

A wide lens can emphasize the environment and exaggerate perspective.

A normal lens can give you a more natural perspective.

A longer lens can compress the background and isolate the artist.

Think about which shots need which perspective.

You don’t necessarily need to bring every lens you own.

Bring the lenses that support the concept.

12. Plan Wardrobe

Wardrobe is part of the visual design.

Think about:

  • Colors
  • Textures
  • Patterns
  • Silhouettes
  • Accessories
  • Shoes
  • Multiple outfits

Be careful with extremely small patterns because they can create unwanted visual artifacts on camera.

Also think about the location.

A black outfit against a black background may completely disappear.

A bright outfit in an already bright environment may lose separation.

Wardrobe and lighting should work together.

13. Plan Hair, Makeup, and Appearance

This doesn’t have to mean a professional makeup artist.

It simply means deciding how the artist should look on camera.

Consider:

  • Hair
  • Makeup
  • Facial hair
  • Skin shine
  • Wardrobe
  • Accessories
  • Continuity between takes

If you’re shooting multiple scenes on different days, take reference photos so you can maintain continuity.

14. Make a Production Schedule

This is one of the most important parts of pre-production.

Figure out how much time you actually have.

For example:

12:00 PM — Crew arrival

12:30 PM — Equipment setup

1:00 PM — First location

1:30 PM — Performance coverage

3:00 PM — B-roll

4:00 PM — Location change

4:30 PM — Second performance

6:00 PM — Golden hour shots

7:00 PM — Night shots

8:00 PM — Wrap

Your schedule doesn’t have to be perfect.

It needs to be realistic.

If you have five locations and only four hours, you probably have a scheduling problem.

15. Build in Extra Time

Things will take longer than expected.

Someone will be late.

A battery will die.

Traffic will happen.

A location won’t be available.

A lighting setup will take longer.

You’ll want another take.

Give yourself some breathing room.

A schedule with zero flexibility can fall apart extremely quickly.

16. Plan Transportation

If you’re moving between locations, figure out how you’re getting there.

Consider:

  • Crew vehicles
  • Parking
  • Equipment transportation
  • Travel time
  • Fuel
  • Loading and unloading
  • Location access

Moving a full camera and lighting setup isn’t the same thing as driving to another location with a backpack.

Plan accordingly.

17. Make Sure You Have Enough Storage

This is one of the easiest things to forget.

Check your memory cards before the shoot.

Don’t assume you have enough space.

If you’re shooting 4K, especially at higher frame rates, your footage can consume storage extremely quickly.

Bring:

  • Extra memory cards
  • Multiple batteries
  • Battery chargers
  • Power banks where appropriate
  • External storage if you’re backing up during production

I would rather have too much storage than find out halfway through the shoot that I can’t record anymore.

18. Bring Backup Equipment

You don’t need two complete cinema cameras.

But having basic backups can save a shoot.

Bring extra:

  • Batteries
  • Memory cards
  • Cables
  • Charging equipment
  • Adapters
  • Batteries for lights
  • Extension cords
  • Gaffer tape
  • Mounting hardware

Small pieces of equipment are often what end up causing the biggest problems when they’re missing.

19. Check the Weather

If you’re shooting outside, check the weather before the shoot.

But don’t only check it the night before.

Check it as the shoot approaches.

Weather affects:

  • Lighting
  • Locations
  • Equipment
  • Clothing
  • Travel
  • Sound
  • Safety
  • Continuity

Have a backup plan if your entire video depends on being outside.

20. Plan for Audio When Necessary

Most music videos don’t use production dialogue, but that doesn’t mean audio never matters.

If there are:

  • Spoken sections
  • Narrative scenes
  • Ambient sounds
  • Interviews
  • Dialogue
  • Foley
  • Behind-the-scenes content

then you need to think about audio production.

If the video is entirely performance-based, you may primarily be using the mastered song during editing.

Still, make sure everyone knows what audio is actually being recorded and what isn’t.

21. Prepare Playback

If the artist is performing to a song, you’ll usually want playback on set.

Make sure the artist can clearly hear the track.

Depending on the production, you may use:

  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Wired speakers
  • Headphones
  • In-ear monitors
  • A phone or laptop
  • Dedicated playback equipment

Make sure the playback method won’t interfere with your footage or create problems during the shoot.

And keep track of exactly which version of the song you’re using.

You don’t want to edit a video around one version and discover later that the performance was shot to a slightly different file.

22. Make a Reference Folder

Before the shoot, collect visual references.

These could include:

  • Film stills
  • Music videos
  • Photographs
  • Color references
  • Lighting examples
  • Locations
  • Wardrobe
  • Camera movement

This gives everyone a visual target.

You don’t have to copy someone else’s video.

The references are there to communicate the feeling you’re after.

23. Create a Moodboard

A moodboard can be extremely simple.

Put together images that represent:

Color

Lighting

Locations

Wardrobe

Composition

Camera movement

Texture

Overall mood

This is particularly useful when working with other people.

It’s much easier to show someone what you’re talking about than to spend twenty minutes trying to describe it.

24. Plan the Color Palette

Choose a general color direction before shooting.

You might want:

  • Cold blues
  • Warm oranges
  • Red and black
  • Desaturated colors
  • Natural colors
  • High-saturation colors
  • Monochrome
  • A combination of warm and cool tones

You don’t have to lock yourself into one exact color.

But having a general direction helps with wardrobe, lighting, locations, and color grading.

25. Think About the Edit Before You Shoot

This is huge.

Don’t shoot everything randomly and hope the edit works.

Think about what you’ll actually need.

If the chorus has a major visual change, shoot coverage that gives you options for that section.

If there’s a beat switch, consider changing locations, lighting, camera movement, or performance style.

If there’s a specific lyric you want to emphasize, make sure you have a shot that can support it.

Shoot with the edit in mind.

26. Get Complete Performance Takes

If the artist is performing the song, get complete takes.

Don’t only shoot random sections.

Get:

  • Full wide performance
  • Full medium performance
  • Full close-up performance
  • Different angles
  • Different camera movement

Having complete performances gives you something to fall back on during the edit.

You can then use your experimental footage and B-roll around them.

27. Don’t Forget B-Roll

After you’ve captured the essential performance footage, start experimenting.

Get details.

Get environments.

Get movement.

Get weird shots.

Get things that might not have an obvious purpose yet.

Sometimes the shots you capture in five minutes of experimentation become the best shots in the entire video.

Just make sure you’ve already gotten the essential coverage.

28. Back Up Your Footage

If your production allows it, back up footage during the shoot.

At minimum, make sure you have a backup plan once the shoot is finished.

Ideally, you want multiple copies of important footage.

Memory cards aren’t permanent storage.

Don’t leave your entire music video sitting on one card for weeks.

29. Make a Final Pre-Shoot Checklist

Before leaving for the shoot, go through everything one more time.

Camera

  • Camera
  • Lenses
  • Batteries
  • Chargers
  • Memory cards
  • Tripod
  • Gimbal
  • ND filters
  • Cleaning supplies

Lighting

  • Lights
  • Batteries
  • Stands
  • Diffusion
  • Reflectors
  • Extension cords
  • Power strips
  • Gaffer tape

Production

  • Shot list
  • Schedule
  • Location information
  • Wardrobe
  • Props
  • Playback device
  • Song file
  • Reference images

Post-Production

  • Storage
  • Backup drive
  • Folder structure
  • Editing project
  • Music file
  • Delivery requirements

Go through the list before you leave.

Not when you arrive.

30. Have a Plan, But Be Ready to Adapt

Pre-production isn’t about controlling every second of the shoot.

It’s about giving yourself a foundation.

Something unexpected will probably happen.

Maybe the weather changes.

Maybe a location looks completely different than expected.

Maybe the lighting is better somewhere else.

Maybe the artist comes up with a better idea.

Maybe you discover an incredible shot that wasn’t in the original plan.

That’s fine.

If the fundamentals are already handled, you can adapt.

That’s actually one of the biggest advantages of good pre-production.

You aren’t scrambling to solve basic problems, so you have the freedom to be creative.

Music Video Pre-Production Checklist

Here’s the condensed version I would actually keep on my phone before a shoot:

Concept

  • Listen to the song
  • Identify the mood
  • Develop the visual concept
  • Decide what type of music video you’re making
  • Create visual references

Locations

  • Scout locations
  • Get permission
  • Check lighting
  • Check accessibility
  • Check parking
  • Check power
  • Check weather
  • Plan backup locations

Camera

  • Choose resolution
  • Choose frame rates
  • Set shutter speed
  • Choose lenses
  • Choose picture profile
  • Plan autofocus/manual focus
  • Pack ND filters
  • Pack tripod/gimbal

Lighting

  • Plan key light
  • Plan fill/negative fill
  • Plan backlight
  • Plan practical lights
  • Bring stands
  • Bring power
  • Bring diffusion

Artist

  • Wardrobe
  • Hair
  • Makeup
  • Props
  • Performance plan

Production

  • Shot list
  • Schedule
  • Crew
  • Transportation
  • Playback
  • Location access
  • Contact information

Storage

  • Format/check memory cards
  • Charge batteries
  • Bring spare batteries
  • Bring spare cards
  • Bring backup storage
  • Plan footage backup

Shooting

  • Full performance takes
  • Wide coverage
  • Medium coverage
  • Close-ups
  • B-roll
  • Detail shots
  • Experimental shots
  • Slow-motion shots
  • Establishing shots

After the Shoot

  • Back up footage
  • Organize files
  • Sync music
  • Create editing project
  • Begin selecting footage

Final Thoughts

The best thing you can do for a music video is figure out as much as possible before you press record.

That doesn’t mean you need to plan every single frame.

It means you should know what the video is supposed to be, where you’re shooting, what equipment you need, what lighting you’re working with, what shots you need, and how you’re going to turn all of that footage into an actual finished video.

Once those things are handled, you can focus on making something interesting.

Good pre-production doesn’t make a music video less creative.

It gives you more room to be creative.

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By Pop Hitchcock

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