You may be a starting artist wanting to make a music video, while on a budget, for your song. That or you simply want to see what’s happening behind the lenses. This video is taking a trip back to earlier this year when we made the music video for local Filipino-American R&B singer Kevin Yadao‘s single entitled “Dalawang Isip”. Watch it here.
Due to reasons we can’t fully disclose, confirm, nor deny, the concept of the song may or may not be related to or refer to an actual experience of the singer. But roughly translated, this means “Second Thoughts” in English – pointing to regrets when leaps of faith didn’t make the cut, and one is enveloped by the disappointment over not knowing what could’ve been.
The BTS takes you back to when we planned the music video during our midnight talks in BGC, until we finally start shooting in different locations. The video also features from when Kevin was invited to guest in Magic 89.9’s “Boys Night Out” featuring DJs Tony Toni, Sam YG, and Slick Rick.
The video also tackles how we did a low-budget replica of the Atlanta trailer’s Heavy Rotation effect, featuring Donald Glover, without any other gear or sets used, just basic pivoting of the camera with proper observation of the framing. We called this the swivel effect.Of course, it’s not as perfect, but it does get the job done. Spoiler alert – our method could give you body and muscle pain the next day.
If you want a more technical and effort-put approach, the guys over at Cinecom made a copycat video which can easily be done in Premiere Pro. Here’s the actual video.
To give you an idea, the biggest allocation of expense for this production is the hotel accommodation for 3 days and 2 nights. Kevin wanted to sleep there either way. This was done at Fraser Place Makati in Salcedo Village, to which they gladly offered us favorable rates. Other than that, it’s mostly personal food and gas expense.
The following is our main equipment list:
- Canon 5D Mk. III (Main Camera)
- Canon 7D (BTS)
- Samsung Note 8 (BTS)
- A Tripod
- Zhiyun Crane 2
- An unbranded LED light on a monopod (main light)
- Aputure AL-M9 Amaran (secondary LED light)
- A barbel plate and cellophane for measurement
FYI, the Porsche we used during the shoot was owned by a friend, and we simply called in a favor, went to where they were, and shot on the spot. It’s all about knowing your resources and asking your friends for help. Personally, I think the most valuable resource you could possibly give a DIY music video on a budget is your time. Plus it seems like it’s in this tight situations where one’s creativity is pushed to its limits.
Did you enjoy this behind the scenes documentation? I hope this helps in encourage people to come up with music videos and prove there’s not much budget needed to produce and shoot. Share this with a friend who’s trying to make a budget video production.