Guides
Writing a brief that works
The few words that change your music video most. How to describe the person, the place and the light so the director makes what you picture.
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You don't need to write much. One specific sentence gives the director more than a paragraph of mood words. This guide is about what to put in that sentence.
Say three things
A good brief names who, where and the light. Everything else, the director can work out from your song.
| Vague | Specific |
|---|---|
| "A sad, emotional video" | "A woman in a yellow raincoat waiting at a bus stop at night, lit by one streetlight" |
| "Something cool and urban" | "Two skaters crossing an empty multi-storey car park at dawn, cold blue light" |
| "Dreamy vibes" | "A boy floating above a wheat field at golden hour, slow and warm" |
What helps most
- A person you can picture. Age, clothes, one detail. "auburn curls, olive bomber jacket" holds better than "a cool girl".
- A real place. "A launderette at 2am" beats "an urban setting".
- Light and colour. "Neon pink and teal", "grey overcast morning", "one candle". Light changes a video more than anything else you can say.
- What happens on the drop. If you know the moment, say it: "the lights cut out on the chorus".
What to leave out
- Artists' and directors' names. Describe the look instead: "80s synthwave, heavy film grain" rather than a name.
- Shot lists. The director plans the shots around your song's sections. Describe the world, not the edit.
- Long lists of adjectives. Pick one feeling and commit to it.
Want yourself in it?
Add a photo rather than describing your face. A clear, front-facing, well-lit photo keeps you the same person in every shot.
Don't know what you want?
Send just your song and let the director ask you what it needs. Answering a question is easier than inventing from nothing.
Go further
- Video brief template: a fill-in-the-blanks brief.
- How to write a character brief that holds
- Getting a style you'll love
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