So, you’ve got the song. The beat’s raw, the lyrics are real, and the mood? Electric. But you also have a bank account that sighs every time you so much as Google “music video production rates.”
Welcome to the club.
The good news is, making a music video, unless it’s for some big companies that really need that, doesn’t include a film crew, rented warehouse, or overpriced drone shots over the Pacific.
This is your unofficial guide to how to make a music video without selling your soul (or your synth).
Why Artists Should DIY Their Music Videos?
Think of your favorite experimental filmmakers, performance artists, or musicians who thrived on limitation. They didn’t wait for perfect lighting or professional-grade gear. They created something because they had to.
That’s the spirit you want to channel.
When you make your own music video, you’re not just saving money — you’re adding your fingerprint to the entire visual language of your work. The way you edit, what you shoot, how you move the camera — all of that becomes part of your creative process. The rawness isn’t a flaw; it’s a feature.
1. Build the Idea Before You Shoot Anything
Sketch out a concept. No need to storyboard every second, but give your music video a skeleton. Ask yourself:
- Is this a performance video, a narrative, a mix?
- Are you referencing any visual artists, films, or gallery installations?
- Can your visuals echo your lyrics or musical structure?
Real artists borrow, steal, reinterpret — so reference your favorite music videos, installations, or even museum pieces. Think Nan Goldin meets low-res VHS. Or Basquiat with a GoPro. Lean into the aesthetic that fits your music.
2. Shoot with What You Have (and Make It Work)
Again, shooting music videos doesn’t mean investing in cinema-grade gear. Some well-known artists like Selena Gomez, Fujii Kaze, The Weekend, and NewJeans have made entire videos on smartphones — not because it’s trendy, but because it’s doable and quite cheap.
And what’s more, nowadays we have video creation automation with tools like Deevid AI.
What matters more than resolution is intention. Use your home studio, your bedroom, your fire escape, your local dive bar. Frame shots with thought. Natural light and a decent phone camera can go a long way.
Want motion? A $20 phone gimbal or a skateboard and a friend with steady hands can create dynamic movement.
If you do have access to a mirrorless camera or DSLR, that’s a plus — but shooting music videos is about what’s in front of the lens, not just behind it.
3. Editing: Where It Becomes Art
To edit music means turning footage into a collection of clips… No, it should become an actual video montage. This is where your rhythm kicks in. And no, you don’t need Final Cut Pro or Adobe anything.
There’s an entire underground of musicians and artists using free video editing software for PC without watermark, and getting very creative with it.
Any not-go-pro level programs, suitable even for beginner editing, are fully capable of handling transitions, cuts, filters, animation, and multitrack timelines. For artists working with limited budgets, access to reliable tools is the key. Fortunately, these tools exist — essential when you’re trying to cut footage without slapping a logo on it.
Start simple:
- Create an individual style with certain effects and filter combinations.
- Use cuts to change shots. Overlapping footage isn’t always smooth, but it can be.
- If you’ve got two different setups (e.g., rooftop and bedroom), alternate them to keep the viewer’s attention.
4. Sync Audio and Video Like a Musician, Not a Technician
Of course, you need to sync audio and video seamlessly. Just like playing a piano, both elements need to be in time with each other. That’s the core of every good music video.
Record your performance lip-syncing to the exact same audio file you’ll use in your final video. This ensures you can line up your lips, movements, and shots with precision. Saves hours of editing, too.
Editing software with a visual audio waveform display will make it easier to match frames (not obligatory, though). And since this is your track, you’ll feel when something’s off — trust your ears and intuition. That’s your musician brain doing video work.
5. Add Video Effects Without Going Overboard
Here’s where things get fun. Video effects are the spice — not the meal. Add layers like:
- VHS filters or grain to give an analog vibe.
- Split screens to show dual perspectives or synchronized performances.
- Slow motion on moments with emotional or dramatic impact.
Avoid gimmicky presets unless you’re going for a kitschy aesthetic. And if you are? Go full camp. Think public-access TV meets early YouTube. There’s no middle ground.
6. Don’t Fear the Weird: Embrace the Medium
Some of the most memorable music videos by artists today are weird, imperfect, and unforgettable. Ever seen a stop-motion of torn notebook paper dancing to lo-fi beats? Or a one-take video shot entirely in the mirror of a museum bathroom?
This is your time to lean into content for musicians that looks and feels like it came from someone who doesn’t follow marketing rules. Try animation overlays, glitch transitions, or a sequence of moody stills layered with lyrics. If you’re into visual art or performance, borrow those instincts.
7. Use What’s Around You — and Make It Meaningful
You don’t need a set designer when your friend’s basement has 1970s wallpaper and a busted couch. You don’t need wardrobe when your thrifted coat collection is a mood board.
If you’re from the theater world, bring that stage sense into your video. Set up props with intention. Use body movement. Think of your camera as a moving audience.
If you’re used to installation art, create a performance space and film inside it. Music video as a performance piece? That’s the energy!
8. Respect Your Editing Workflow
Beginner video editing doesn’t mean haphazard editing. Build a solid editing workflow that reflects your project and pace.
A basic process:
- Organize clips into folders by location or shot type.
- Start with the spine — the full-length track synced with your main footage.
- Layer B-roll, effects, and other performance shots over the top.
- Watch it without sound to test visual rhythm. Then watch only the sound with black screen to feel timing.
- Export, test, refine.
This doesn’t just keep things clean. It keeps you sane.
Final Thoughts
If art is the result of limitation meeting intention, then a budget music video might be your next masterpiece. How to make a music video isn’t about gear or gloss; it’s about storytelling, resourcefulness, and a willingness to get weird in service of your song.
The world doesn’t need another overproduced video. What it does need? That’s what you should, as an artist,
