Serious Inquiry

Posted by Chris Black on September 9, 2014 in Advice

Contributor Post

What's the science all my IMVDB heads?!


It's ya boy, "Soulja Boy Tell'em Large Marge Sent Ya!"
I usually drop on Monday, but it's been a crazy weekend. And as you know, I drop those heavy gems on Thursday and if Thursday is the official album drop, consider this my free mixtape to whet your appetites. 

Let's get into it!

This post is dedicated to all the starving and hungry artists (read: rappers) out there that aren't very tactful in their approach when contacting a music video director. If you're a music video director you've probably received this email or continue to receive this email:


Let's link fam! Yo let's build...!



Now I know that you may not be familiar with the proper protocol, but I'll put you up on game.

First off, you've got to be professional when greeting someone. Although we're people, just like you, we take our craft seriously and therefore we act accordingly, and you should too.


Bruh!


Second, there's no set price for music videos. It's all based on the scope of the idea. So if you want a sick looking car in your video, then it's going to cost money. I understand you're ballin on a budget, but you've gotta be realistic in your expectations. Also, most professional artists have a budget set. An artist's manager will say, "We have 5k to spend on this video..." It's important to know what YOUR budget is.


Third, please keep your email short and sweet. Say all pertinent information; budget, artist, dates, brief (idea/concept), etc. There's nothing worse than reading an email that has a detailed concept for a video we haven't agreed to make nor a track I've listened to.


TL;DR

Fouth...have some manners. Introduce yourself. Address us properly. Again, you don't have to hit us with the Prefix of Mr. or Miss. Don't just hit us with a song and your demands...



Fifth, be realistic about what you're asking for. Videos take a while to create, from conceiving the idea to the execution to the editing to the coloring. We understand you want to use the video to promote your latest release, but music video directors can spend up to a month working on 1 video. Think about getting through the first video before you start wanting 10 videos. What if you and the director don't get along or the idea isn't right. Be patient!


Hi, I'd like 5 videos done in 2 weeks time. Thanks.


Now, music video directors are prolly sitting there like, "CB, I ignore it but they keep emailing me, what should I do?"

Some directors have an ill ignore game. Artist sends an email, director ignores it. Artists sends a few more emails, director ignores those. Artist sends final email, director ignores that! Artist stops sending altogether. That's a fine method, but some directors are either too busy to address the inquiries or they've got an ill filter. 

When an artist sends me a track, I give it a thorough listen, or I request them to send a track or two. If I like it, I'll sleep on it for a few days before responding. Think about it, you don't owe the artist anything. ANYTHING! But the truth is, some of us are in the same position. All we need is that one video to blow us up and our career is set. Same goes for these artists that reach out, if the song is decent enough, all it takes is an ill video to blow them up.*

*Side Stunt: I produced 3 videos for 3 different artists that started their careers (Earl Sweatshirt, ASAP Rocky, Cozz).


You're probably wondering, "if the song is bad, then what should you say if I'm unable to ignore them?" My answer is to tell them the truth. I've told an artist, in the nicest way possible, that I wasn't feeling his music enough to warrant me working with them and ended it with a "best of luck to you."

Think about it. If you're an artist and a director tells you he's not feeling the music, then how is he/she going to be inspired enough to write a cool concept and see it through? That's not the type of relationship a director and artist should have. Both parties should be on the same page from the initial email. Some directors are looking for their next project and they force it by doing a video for a song they feel mildly passionate about. Do it because you love the song and have an idea for it or are inspired by it. That's how your best work comes about, but you knew that already.


I hope this was a valuable lesson for the upcoming artists. In the very least, music video directors that receive these types of emails can at least commiserate and say, "me too!" 

I'll leave you with my favorite "serious inquiry":


Black, out.



Chris Black is a music video director and producer. He's got the cool of Zack Morris with Mr. Belding's haircut. He's highly intellexual and hella urban. When he's not talking about rap, he's discussing the music video form. He's got Alfalfa dreams, but Buckwheat realities. Check him out on twitter (@theblack) or peep his website (chrisblack.la).

More Advice:


IMVDb Blog



Site Sponsors

Add Your Company

RSS Icon Subscribe with RSS

Search the Blog

Recent Posts

Archive

Categories

Content on the IMVDb blog is ©2012-2024 IMVDb and FilmedInsert, LLC. All Rights Reserved.