99dollarmusicvideo.com is an independent music network that enables individuals to produce music videos in collaboration with the artist. It aims to merge low-fi, cutting edge videos with the best of today's music scene. The artists used are unsigned and there are strict guidelines that the filmmakers must adhere to:
- The video must be made for less than $99
- It must be shot in one day (total)
- It must be edited in one day (total)
- There must be collaboration between the artist and the filmmaker
99dollarmusicvideo attempt to bring independent artists and unknown filmmakers together to collaborate on a music video, this helps to increase the artists notoriety and promotes the filmmaker. They upload a new video each week which displays contemporary, cutting edge techniques for a global audience to enjoy an example would be the new video for "Strange Machines" by Redding Hunter.
What Labels, Types and Genres appear on the Website?
Most of the videos displayed on the website are rock and pop songs and from the images shown on the homepage many of the bands have an element of indie in their music as well. All the labels on this website are independent which is in-keeping with the websites rules for creating a music video and posting it on the site. By examining the website further it has become clear that most of the artists fall under the genres of Rock, Indie or Alternative Pop which could be due to the lack of demand for those genres compared with HipHop and Regular Pop. An example of a Rock/Indie artist would be "Balls" by King Bee, the group has the classic set up of a rock band but the effects put on the vocals and the slightly exaggerated electro sound from the guitar sets them apart from the conventional Rock genre.
What is the Relationship between the Artist and the Filmmaker?
99dollarmusicvideos encourages as much collaboration as possible between the artist and the filmmaker so much so that it is one of their criteria for posting a video on their website. This provides a setting for the filmmaker and the artist to develop a good working relationship which will help them to further their career in the music industry and produce an end product that both parties are pleased with. The need for the video to be contemporary and cutting-edge forces the filmmaker to think creatively but in a way that the artist thinks reflects them best which helps the filmmaker to progress and produce even better music videos. An example of this would be the multitude of videos and shorts that Sherng-Lee Huang has created after posting a video on 99dollarmusicvideo.com.
Costs?
The funds given to the filmmaker are there to cover the costs of equipment/costumes that are needed for the video but which are not available for free. This means that the filmmaker could borrow a friends 1080p HD camera to shoot the video and the $99 would not be effected, but if the drummer needs a new set of drumsticks then this would come out of the $99.
Audience Participation?
99dollarmusicvideos strongly encourages audience participation by allowing people to leave comments and "liking" different videos and if they wish, can attempt to produce their own music video. There is also an FAQ page indicating that the audience actively inquires about different aspects of the process.
Is it possible to make a Professional looking video for $99?
From the variety of videos displayed on 99dollarmusicvideos.com I would say that yes it is possible to produce a professional quality video on this budget. The strict giudlines and small budget brings out the creativity in the filmmaker and encourages them to use their injinuity and persuasiveness in order to ba able to use the best equpiment available. From the quality of shots and editing in this video "Balls" by King Bee I would say that it was a very professional looking video.
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