Behind the Scenes: When Does Music Play During Music Video Filming?

In the intricate world of music video production, the question of whether the real song plays during filming often arises. The answer can be quite nuanced, as it varies widely depending on the type of video, the director's vision, and the overall goals for the piece. Typically, the song is not played in its entirety during filming, but bits of it may be used to set the mood and coordinate movements.

Background Music During Filming

While the whole song isn't typically played, it’s not uncommon to hear bits of it in the background to help the performers get into the right emotional and rhythmic state. However, this isn’t the norm for every scenario.

For example, in the film "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," when Twisted Sister is recording their video for "Burn in Hell," they only perform a portion of the song. The director has the band members and actors miming along, and after a montage-like sequence, they have to redo the sequence multiple times. This practice isn't just limited to movies; music videos often follow a similar pattern.

Often, the filming process involves a mix of different elements, including sets, lighting, actors, and musicians, pieced together to form the final video. Once everything is set, the original audio track is usually replaced with a professional studio recording to ensure the best possible sound quality.

The Evolution of Music Videos

Music videos have evolved over the years, reflecting changes in technology and audience preferences. In the early days of MTV, many videos were full live performances, such as Saga's "On the Loose," which features a long continuous performance.

However, concept videos, which often tell stories and incorporate famous actors, are usually carefully crafted to align with the song's narrative and rhythm. These videos are a way to capture the energy and spirit of a performance, drawing in fans and encouraging them to attend concerts and live shows.

Time-honored bands like U2 and Duran Duran have created their music videos with a mix of performance clips and other stylistic elements, ensuring that each video tells a unique story while also staying true to the original music.

The Filming Process: From Start to Finish

The process of filming a music video is intricate and requires meticulous planning. For some videos, the entire song is rehearsed several times to get the perfect poses and movements down.

Afterward, the best takes are blended with live performance footage and candid shots from rehearsals. This approach allows the video to feel more authentic and aligned with the song’s mood and rhythm.

In the end, the musical performances are meticulously coordinated to deliver a polished, high-quality final product.

Conclusion

The decision of whether to play the original song during filming depends on the specific goals and requirements of the music video. While the full song isn’t typically used, bits of it can be very useful to set the mood and align movements. In the end, the effort put into the filming and post-production phases ensures that the final video captures the essence of the music and the artist.

This knowledge provides a deeper insight into the complex process of creating a music video, highlighting the dedication and creativity involved in making a compelling visual accompaniment to a song.