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 Rapid City, South Dakota
At Think Global Media, we’ve helped artists of all styles bring their music to life through powerful, cinematic visuals. As a leading music video production company in Rapid City, South Dakota, we know how to guide you through every step of the process—from idea to release—while using the area’s stunning landscapes and urban backdrops to your advantage.
Here’s how we create a professional music video production in Rapid City, step-by-step.
🎧 Step 1: Discovery & Creative Development
It all starts with your sound. We sit down with you to understand your music, message, style, and goals. Whether you want a performance-heavy piece, a visual story, or a hybrid of both, we shape the concept around your unique voice.
This stage includes:
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Listening to the track and analyzing its tone
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Collaborating on creative direction and visual style
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Writing a storyline or treatment
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Identifying performance moments and key visual beats
We believe your music should drive the visuals—not the other way around.
📍 Step 2: Location Scouting in Rapid City
Rapid City offers a diverse range of filming locations, and we know how to match each scene with the right setting. From rugged natural beauty to edgy downtown streets, we scout the perfect locations based on the look and feel of your video.
Favorite local spots include:
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Downtown Rapid City – Urban grit, murals, nightlife textures
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Dinosaur Park – Iconic visuals and panoramic views
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Black Hills region – Cinematic mountain and forest scenes
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Railroad District – Raw industrial backdrops for gritty content
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Rural prairies and highways – Ideal for country or emotional sequences
We also handle all permits, permissions, and timing logistics.
🛠 Step 3: Pre-Production Planning
Once we lock in the concept and locations, we get to work building a detailed plan for production. We organize the crew, equipment, talent, and schedule so that shoot day runs like clockwork.
Pre-production includes:
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Scheduling and crew coordination
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Shot list and storyboard creation
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Gear prep (cameras, lighting, drone setups)
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Talent casting or choreography if needed
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Styling, wardrobe, and prop selection
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Backup weather plans for outdoor shoots
We make sure every detail is in place before we call “Action.”
🎥 Step 4: Production Day
Now it’s time to film. Our experienced team captures every scene with professional cameras, drones, and cinematic techniques. We direct with clarity and creativity so you feel confident and in the zone throughout the shoot.
What to expect on set:
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Dynamic camera movements and multi-angle coverage
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Expert lighting design for mood and style
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Performance coaching and movement direction (if needed)
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Drone footage for sweeping aerial visuals
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Flexible adjustments for spontaneous moments
We know how to get the best out of our artists while keeping things on schedule and fun.
💻 Step 5: Post-Production & Editing
With the footage captured, our editors begin crafting your final video. This is where the visuals come together with your track to create a seamless, compelling final product.
Post-production services include:
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Syncing visuals to your music
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Professional video editing and pacing
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Color correction and cinematic grading
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Motion graphics or VFX (if needed)
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Social media teasers, vertical edits, and short-form cuts
You’ll receive drafts along the way so we can fine-tune the video until it’s exactly right.
🚀 Step 6: Delivery & Launch Support
Once the final cut is approved, we prepare your video for release. We deliver optimized formats for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and more—plus guidance on how to launch with maximum impact.
We provide:
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High-quality exports in multiple formats
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Thumbnail design and launch visuals
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Backups and secure file storage
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Optional BTS content or promotional reels
We don’t just finish the video—we help you position it to succeed.
🎶 Why Work with Think Global Media in Rapid City?
We know Rapid City like the back of our camera rig. From dramatic natural scenery to urban textures, we make the most of every location and moment. Artists choose us because we bring:
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🎬 A full-service, start-to-finish production experience
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📍 Local knowledge and permit coordination
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🎥 Top-tier gear, drones, and lighting
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🧠 Creative collaboration that respects your vision
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💯 Reliable delivery and fast turnaround times
Whether you’re local or coming in from out of state, we make shooting in Rapid City simple, creative, and visually stunning.
📩 Let’s Create Your Music Video in Rapid City
Ready to turn your music into a visual story that captivates fans and builds your brand? Let’s film it in Rapid City, South Dakota, with a team that handles every step—and makes you look your best.
Production offices in NYC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City and Virginia.
