First step, choosing the song. This is most important if this is your first Music Video. Putting your best foot forward and selecting what you feel is your best work. This will give you the greatest chances for wide market success and this is one of the most important and overlooked step of the production! Read More
Scheduling a date for your music video production.
Next, you’ll have to set the date that works with your schedule as well as your production team. The Global Filmz team works 7 days a week, so if we have a date that we are not currently scheduled to shoot than that date is available for your production. Once you have your production date set, it is time to have a meeting with your creative team / music video production company to go over concept, theme, lighting, color palette and production logistics.
Choosing your film crew for the video production.
Our video productions start with a 3-person crew (that’s our minimum) and that would be your film crew foundation consisting of: one DP (Director of Photography), one 1st AC (Assistant Camera Op) and one PA (Production Assistant). Due to the amount of heavy gear, we film with we have found this is the least amount of crew members we can have onset as a production team to accommodate lower budget projects (even for the smallest film productions). Anything less, would dramatically slow down production, in turn cost the client more money hourly and “burn-out” the crew members faster.
The 3-person crew is just a foundation, now you must figure out can you get the job done with the bare minimum or does your music video production require more film crew members. We employ over 30 crew members that are at the highest level of their craft from:
- Music Video Directors
- Assistant Directors
- Directors of Photography
- Production Coordinators
- 1st & 2nd Assistant Camera Ops
- Gaffers | Electric
- Art Directors | Set Designers
- Key Grips | Best Boy
- DITs
- Video Technicians | Audio Technicians
- Hair Stylist | MUAs | Wardrobe Stylists
- Production Assistants | Runners
- Dance Choreographers | Fight & Action Choreographers
Now, we just need to figure out what your production needs are and cater to them accordingly. Although our film crew can and will “wear many hats” and have been taught to work various roles/positions onset from grip, electric, lighting and audio. It’s always best to assign a specialist in that specific field to handle the job. If the production budget allows, consider adding a few more key players to the 3-person crew minimum such as a Gaffer that’s assigned to lighting, a Key Grip assigned to riggings for camera and lighting setups and a Director to oversee the overall production. This will not only move the production along faster & smoother (which in-turn saves the client money) but will enhance the overall quality of the finished product.
Do I need a Director for a music video production?
Although, our Director of Photography can play the role as a Director onset for smaller projects it’s always helps to have a Director involved in the process. Our DPs do not develop the treatment plans in the pre-production stages of our projects. Although, they will assist the Director with the shot list, lighting color palettes and composition portion of the treatment plan. If you have a medium to large scale production with various moving parts a Director is key to have involved in the production, to develop a solid treatment plan, lead the artist and production team through the pre-production, onsite production and post production stages of the music video production. For example: You can’t play American football without a Quarterback, the Director is the production’s Quarterback.
Do I need a treatment Plan for a music video?
The short answer to this question is: Yes, its always good to be prepared! At the same time, if you have a smaller production that you are planning on producing with not a lot of moving parts such as just a few performance scenes with some b-roll then it’s not absolutely necessary. Although, either way our film crew will always come prepared to shoot with their own shot-list to make sure there is a guideline to the shots that need to be captured.
What is a video production Treatment Plan?
A treatment is made up of a few elements such as a Storyboard, shot list, synopsis, and a schedule. A treatment plan is your production’s guideline, blueprint, framework to your upcoming production.
The Synopsis
The synopsis allows for everyone to be on the same page as far as the story concept and vision for the project.
Scheduling
Scheduling is one of the most important parts of a treatment plan. The schedule/call sheet provides the call-times, which determines who needs to meet, where they need to meet, and when they need to meet. This is important for the camera dept, G&E, on-camera talent, stylist, make-up, choreographers, dancers, set design, wardrobe, prop-masters, art directors, etc to all have this information prior to the production to get everyone to the right place at the right time!
The Shot list
The shot list is made up of various sequences of compositions (framing), from wide-shots to establish the surroundings of a person/place or thing in a story, to medium shots and ultra-close-up shots. The shot-list also allows the team to establish the mood of the scene from lighting and color palettes. A shot list can be made up of technical text information from framing, camera settings, camera rigs and shot fluidity as well as imagery to give the team a visual reference of the looks/shots we are going for.
Now that the Treatment Plan is complete, you can utilize the plan to finally begin shooting!
The Director will be the most important part of this. They are essentially, the manager of this shoot. They “shoot to edit,” which makes sure that the shots are achieved for editing and oversee the flow of the production. Continuity plays a huge part is this process and its very important that the Director makes sure there are no continuity-errors with the storyboard portion of the production. To prevent this from happening (if there is not a Script Supervisor onset), we normally setup the director with a large wireless video monitoring unit in a area that the director can focus on every composition being shot and request a playback if there is every a shot in question.
Post-Production.
After you’ve filmed all the scenes, you can begin the editing process. This is all the final necessary edits and touches that go into the video before it is ready for distribution. The editing process can be extremely intricate, which is why there are Video Editors whose primary function is to know how to use editing software and align that knowledge with their creative mind-set, while staying true to the initial vision of the production.
Making a music video is a challenging, but yet exciting and when it’s all said and done it’s a very rewarding experience! We will see you onset! Look forward to working with you!
Steps to Creating a Music Video Production in Jersey City, New Jersey
At Think Global Media, we believe that every great music video starts with a clear vision and a detailed plan—especially in a dynamic, diverse city like Jersey City, New Jersey. We’ve helped countless artists bring their music to life here, from raw street visuals to high-concept cinematic productions. Here’s how we guide you step by step through the process of creating a standout music video in Jersey City.
1️⃣ Creative Concept & Pre-Production Planning
The first step is sitting down with you to understand your song, brand, and goals. We brainstorm ideas that capture the essence of your track and develop a creative concept that’s visually compelling. From narrative-driven stories to high-energy performance pieces, we tailor everything to match your unique style.
Once we lock in the concept, we build a detailed plan that includes storyboards, shot lists, and a production timeline to keep everything on track.
2️⃣ Location Scouting in Jersey City
Jersey City is a filmmaker’s playground, offering gritty industrial areas, colorful murals in the Powerhouse Arts District, classic brownstone-lined streets, and stunning skyline views from Liberty State Park. We handle all location scouting and secure the necessary permits so your shoot is hassle-free and legally compliant.
3️⃣ Casting & Crew Coordination
If your music video requires models, actors, or dancers, we handle casting to find the right talent. We also assemble the perfect crew—directors, cinematographers, drone operators, lighting and grip experts—ensuring every angle is covered by top professionals.
4️⃣ Shooting Day: Bringing the Vision to Life
On production day, our team executes the shoot with precision. We use industry-grade cameras, stabilizers, drones, and lighting setups to capture every shot at the highest quality. We direct scenes to get authentic performances from you and any on-screen talent, making sure each take aligns with the concept.
5️⃣ Post-Production & Editing
After we wrap filming, the magic continues in the edit suite. Our editors sync visuals to your music, add cinematic color grading, visual effects, and text graphics where needed. We review drafts with you for feedback and fine-tune the final cut so it exceeds your expectations.
6️⃣ Delivery & Launch Support
Once approved, we deliver the video in all the formats you need—optimized for YouTube, social media, or any broadcast platform. We can even help you plan your launch to generate buzz and ensure your video reaches the widest possible audience.
🎥 Why Choose Think Global Media in Jersey City?
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Local Expertise: We know Jersey City’s best filming spots and handle all local logistics.
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All-In-One Service: From pre-production to post, we take care of everything.
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Custom Approach: We build each project around your music and message.
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High Production Value: Our top-tier gear and experienced team guarantee cinematic results.
🚀 Let’s Create Your Next Music Video in Jersey City
At Think Global Media, we’re passionate about helping artists transform their sound into unforgettable visuals. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to partner with you on a project that not only showcases your music but leaves a lasting impact.
Production offices in NYC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City and Virginia.
