Film Making/ Music Video Assignment
The Assignment:
Make a music video of a song of your choice. The video is to be between 2 and 4
minutes in length. You will need to show Mr. Banks rough cuts at least once. This
assignment is due one week before the end of the first half of the semester.
Requirements of your music video:
-The video is meant to be cohesive and to tell a story that makes a statement.
-You must have credits (like music videos). You need to credit the song, album,
singers, producers (album company), and year the song was made. At the very end,
also give credits to any images you took from
other sources.
- Remember to get permission from your actors
and give them credit (You could put them in
movie style credits at the end of the video.).
Assignments Before Filming:
Before you start your video, you need to complete
and show Mr. Banks the following assignments
assignments:
- Song/Written Lyrics
- Written Video Script
- Storyboard assignment
Suggestions:
- When filming, have a copy of the lyrics and even a copy of the song. It’s very
difficult to sync lips. You should also have your storyboards, as these may help your
actors.
- Find a good song. One that will tell a story.
- Pick a sing that you love. Also, consider finding a song that is unique, or unusual.
- Avoid songs with swears/profanity. It should, as always, be a PG-13 video. If there is a swear, bleep it or cut the sound, though bleeping might work better since you won’t want to lose the rest of the music.
- A lot of videos show people playing and signing, sometimes on stage. You can
incorporate these images, but they can’t be the only portion or the majority. The
thematic, story-line portions should be the primary visuals.
- I can’t help but think that most present day music doesn’t translate well to video, so
go back. Look to some classics. The 80’s was the decade of music videos, so you
may want to look to that music. After all, “Video Killed the Radio Star.”
Film Making. Music Video Assignment.
Grading Rubric for the Video:
____/25 Theme/Storyline: Project contains a strong, well thought out storyline. Project
also contains a strong thematic element; the audience can tell what the message of the
project is through subtle portrayal.
____/50 Visuals: Student selected creative and appropriate visuals to tell the story and
portray the message. Visuals are well thought out, including costuming, any makeup,
sets and backgrounds, framing, and mise-en-scene.
____/20 Creativity: Project contains imagination and original ideas and concepts. A lot
of thought went into the project.
____/20 Effort: Invested significant and visible amounts of effort. Student worked
extremely hard to make the best possible product.
____/50 Camera Work: Camera work is strong with level, steady, and smooth images. You use all 10 editing shots
____/20 Editing: Project is well edited. Shots are timed and cut well, with appropriate
and smooth special effects, transitions, etc.
____/15 Credits: Necessary credits are added to the film, including beginning and ending
credits as well as title if necessary. Any titles and credits are done well and are easily
readable.
____/10 This rubric turned in: Saves trees
and Mr. Dixon’s time if you hand this in
when your project is completed.
____/210 Total