Low Budget IdeasJames Thompson

Low key lighting is used to disguise the setting in the darkness in both screenshots. This is a useful technique for a low budget music video production because it means that a studio look can be achieved without requiring an actual studio as the audience cannot properly see the room. The light source behind the artists creates a flare on the camera which works in their favour and also creates a silhouette around the artists which disguises them. This is also a good technique to be used at the beginning of the video (1) because it doesn’t reveal the artists straight away but instead reveals them slowly making them initially more ominous. The shadows created by the light in the shot (2) give the video a horror tone as it is not clear what the strange object.

(1) (2)

A high frequency of close ups used allows a large portion of the setting to be hidden from the audience. This is a useful technique for low budget music videos as it means that less money and time needs to be spend on the settings. For example, in the stop and bottom screenshots on the left are framed so that only a chandelier is visible in the background however the room does not necessary seem empty because due to the presence of this prop we assume that the rest of the room is also contains formal high class props such as these despite not seeing them. The bottom two greyscale screen shots from a different music video utilise close ups to make the audience feel too-close-for-comfort as well as being useful for saving money as the only prop needed is a chain.

Footage is reversed in both music videos, at the point of the screenshots on the right, using editing software. In the first video this is used to reinforce the horror and spooky tone whereas the second one uses it during a dance sequence. For both video it makes them seem professionally made without too much work being done. The super imposed MTV song and artist title also makes the video seem professional.

The dance sequence used in the one of the music video is effective because it does not require an expenditure however it is still a convention of music videos. Long shots of all the artists as well as close ups on specific movements, as shown in the middle left screenshot, allow for a variety of shot types to keep the video interesting without using a new setting.

Another technique used in low budget music videos is character performances. This is shown in the screenshot below which shows one of the artists slyly winking in the mirror. Similarly to dance performances, this technique does not cost anything but is effective.

The use of a dark smokey background as well as the use of many tight frames in this music video are also examples of techniques which allow for cheaper production sets as the only factors which control where filming needs to take place are the colour of the wall and accessibility to the room. There is no need to buy additional props to fill the room when tight frames are used which make them a vital part of a low-budget music video production.

Also, on many shots throughout this video, all colours are blocked out except one. An example of this is shown on the left where only the colour red is present, that being the lipstick. This provides connotations of the colour red such as danger, passion, romance, lust, blood, et cetera.

Other visual effects are also added in post-production including filters. This technique is used in low budget productions because it is saves money and time to add artificial filters over footage that has already been recorded than use a specialist lens. As well as this, the opacity of footage is lowered in some cases throughout the sequence to allow other layers to be visible underneath. This is another technique that looks professional without much effect taking place and therefore is useful for low budget music videos.