Let’s cut right to the meat and potatoes. In front of a single frame, there is a concept a crazy, brilliant dot on a cocktail napkin or a half-spoken-in-the-dark voice note during the night. That spark? That’s what’ll become something. The map is a music video treatment template; the unspoken understanding between director and client; the lead-in before cameras start rolling and egos bump.
Start your template top-down by employing the fundamentals first. Song title; artist name; director’s name. Add one line or two on genre. Not handsome but useful. Producers need these details.
The logline, your party pitch, comes next. After chips and salsa, ideally, this should be something that cuts – something that would get repeated at a party. “A bizarro exploration of heartbreak in a neon-lit laundromat.” Bam, attention grabbed.
Let’s brainstorm the idea. You have a chance for a contained dump here. Employ imagery in your phrase to go visual. The camera tracks the artist through rainbow of colored light, each step releasing a flash of memory. Paint it; say no more about it. But don’t write a novel. No one has seven pages on symbolism regarding pigeons time to give. Wait for grad school thesis papers to do the deep dives. Here’s a secret: Break it in beats. Verse, chorus, bridge—it’s a music video, so consider the structure of the song. Write what is happening in each part. Add in ridiculous details. Perhaps the bassist lets out a float. Perhaps laundry overwhelms the backing dancers. The magic spot is that one.
Also remember mood boards or style inspiration. Send over links or cut and paste shots taken from fondly swiped Pinterest or music videos you wish you had created. “Imagine Sesame Street going head-to-head against Blade Runner, but with fewer giant puppets.” These set the mood—that of forcefully dispelling misunderstood notions.
Add tone and color palette comments in now. Gaudy and neon color? depressed and muted? cold, clinical blues? Small indications in script: “Camera movements should feel rushed, jittery.” Whiplash-speed editing should be. Your editor, small gems like those are breadcrumbs to.
Of course, you have to identify places. “Graceful urban alley.” Rained over. Or maybe a used store with odors of mothballs. Straight out say. All at times one only desires the cheap and something within reach. Okay! Say it as “intensive rustic chic.” Sounds more appetizing.
Finally, write a brief director’s statement.
The one who made this is you? Why?
Did you just have to pay rent or did this video start in your head?
Both of those are good possibilities.
End with thanking you and credits.
short, nice, courteous.
Don’t overdo it.
The trick is to be realistic but still firmly sketch a wild image. Show you what can be done—unless there is unlimited budget, in which case let your imagination run wild. The right template is more like bumpers in bowling than a cage. steers everything towards a strike—even though your ball veers slightly off course.