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 Saint Paul, Minnesota
At Think Global Media, we believe a great music video isn’t just filmed—it’s carefully crafted. When we produce music videos in Saint Paul, Minnesota, we take a hands-on, full-service approach from concept to final cut. Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist or an established name, we make sure your video is a powerful visual representation of your sound and your story.
Here’s how we bring your music to life, step-by-step.
🎧 Step 1: Creative Direction & Concept Development
We start by immersing ourselves in your music. Before we shoot a single frame, we listen to your track, understand your vision, and ask the right questions. This step is all about translating your sound into a compelling visual narrative.
What we create together:
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A treatment with mood, tone, and concept
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Storyboards or shot lists (if narrative-based)
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Style direction for wardrobe, color palette, and energy
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Performance strategy (studio, street, or stylized set)
Every genre has its own vibe—we tailor the visual concept to yours.
📍 Step 2: Scouting & Selecting Saint Paul Locations
Saint Paul is packed with cinematic locations—from historic buildings to riverside parks and gritty alleys. We know the city inside and out, which helps us match the perfect location to your sound.
Some standout locations we often shoot in:
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Lowertown Arts District – Ideal for edgy, industrial or urban concepts
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Cathedral of Saint Paul & Summit Avenue – Classic architecture and emotional depth
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Hidden Falls Regional Park – Beautiful natural lighting for indie, folk, or acoustic visuals
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Downtown Alleys & Rooftops – Gritty energy for hip-hop and performance shots
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High Bridge & River Overlooks – Sweeping drone shots and reflective storylines
We handle all location permits and scheduling—we know what works best and when.
🎬 Step 3: Pre-Production Setup
Once the vision and location are locked in, we move into detailed planning mode. Pre-production is where everything gets organized to ensure a smooth and efficient shoot.
We prepare:
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Shot breakdowns and production timeline
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Wardrobe suggestions or stylist coordination
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Equipment lists (lighting, gimbals, drones, camera rigs)
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Talent casting (if actors or extras are needed)
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Call sheets and crew assignments
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Contingency planning for weather
The more we prep, the more creative freedom you’ll have on set.
🎥 Step 4: Filming Day
On shoot day, we bring your vision to life with full-scale production. Our crew includes directors, camera operators, lighting techs, and assistants—all working in sync to ensure high-quality visuals.
Production day highlights:
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Direction for performance and camera presence
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Multiple takes and angles for editing flexibility
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Drone cinematography and dynamic camera movement
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Lighting design to match tone and mood
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Real-time playback so you can see what we’re capturing
We maintain a professional yet collaborative vibe—helping artists feel confident and expressive on set.
💻 Step 5: Editing, Color Grading & Post-Production
After filming, we head into post-production, where your footage is transformed into a polished final product. Our editors bring precision, creativity, and rhythm to the cut.
Post-production includes:
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Syncing footage with your track
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Adding transitions, effects, or motion graphics
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Color grading to achieve your visual style
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Cropping for vertical (TikTok/IG) and widescreen platforms
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Text overlays, lyric displays, or titles (if requested)
You’ll receive multiple review drafts and final deliverables in the format you need.
📲 Step 6: Social Media Optimization & Delivery
Your music video deserves to be seen. That’s why we help prepare your content for today’s platforms and audiences. From viral clips to launch strategy, we’re more than just a video team—we’re your digital partners.
Final delivery includes:
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Master 4K+ file for YouTube
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Reels, TikTok, and square edits for social media
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Teaser trailers and thumbnails
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Behind-the-scenes content (if captured)
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Quick turnaround on final exports and backups
We make sure your music video is ready for maximum visibility.
🎶 Why Choose Think Global Media in Saint Paul?
We combine creativity, professionalism, and deep local knowledge to make your project seamless and cinematic. From indie folk to high-energy hip-hop, we shape every video with the care your music deserves.
What sets us apart:
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🎥 High-end equipment and drone capabilities
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🧠 Strategic planning and creative vision
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📍 Expert location scouting throughout Saint Paul
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💡 Fast turnaround and constant communication
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🎯 Final products that perform across platforms
Whether you’re local or visiting Saint Paul for production, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
📩 Let’s Film in Saint Paul
If you’re ready to create a music video that elevates your brand, captures your essence, and speaks visually to your audience—Think Global Media is here to make it happen in Saint Paul.
Production offices in NYC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City and Virginia.
