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 Los Angeles, California
At Think Global Media, we specialize in music video production in Los Angeles, guiding artists and labels through every step of the creative journey. Whether you’re new to video or seasoned in the studio, our team ensures a smooth, collaborative process that brings your music to life on screen.
Here’s a breakdown of how we turn your sound into cinema — step by step.
🎧 Step 1: Concept & Creative Direction
Every great music video starts with a vision. We sit down with you to understand the message behind your song — the tone, the aesthetic, and the story you want to tell. From there, we brainstorm creative concepts, build moodboards, and outline the visual style that aligns with your brand.
📝 Think narrative, performance-based, abstract, or experimental — we help refine the concept that fits your sound best.
🏙️ Step 2: Location Scouting in Los Angeles
LA is a visual playground, and we know how to use it. Whether you’re looking for gritty alleyways, neon-lit studios, or cinematic natural backdrops, we scout and secure the ideal locations to fit your concept. We also handle permits and logistics, making the process seamless.
📍 Downtown, Hollywood, Venice, studio stages, rooftops, desert, coastlines — you name it.
🎥 Step 3: Pre-Production & Crew Coordination
Once the concept and locations are locked in, we begin assembling the right team. That includes:
We also develop a detailed shot list, call sheets, production schedule, and storyboard — so everyone is aligned before cameras roll.
🎬 Step 4: Production Day
This is where the magic happens. Our crew executes the vision with precision, ensuring lighting, framing, movement, and performance are captured exactly as planned — or even better. We shoot with high-end cinema cameras, drones, gimbals, and lighting gear to ensure every shot has maximum impact.
🎤 Need choreography? Performance coaching? Special effects? We’ve got you covered.
🎞️ Step 5: Post-Production
After the shoot, we dive into the edit bay. This is where the raw footage becomes a music video. Our post-production services include:
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Professional video editing
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Color correction & grading
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Motion graphics & visual effects
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Audio sync and enhancements
We work closely with you on revisions to ensure the final cut is polished, powerful, and performance-ready.
🚀 Step 6: Delivery & Distribution Support
Once approved, we deliver all the final video files optimized for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Vevo, and broadcast platforms. We also help with thumbnails, metadata, and launch strategies to ensure your video gets the attention it deserves.
📦 Need behind-the-scenes content or teasers for socials? We create those too.
💡 Why Create with Think Global Media?
We bring together cinematic quality, creative storytelling, and artist-focused collaboration. Los Angeles is where we thrive — and our experience here means faster turnarounds, fewer headaches, and better visuals.
From indie artists to major rollouts, we’ve crafted unforgettable videos that connect audiences and elevate careers.
🎶 Ready to Roll Camera on Your Music Video?
Let’s make your next project unforgettable. At Think Global Media, we don’t just shoot music videos — we shape stories that move people. Reach out today, and let’s create something extraordinary in the heart of Los Angeles.
Production offices in NYC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City and Virginia.
