Saskia - The process of making a music video

Commissioning
After a record company signs up an artist or band and pays them in advance, the record company will employ a commissioner. They operate mainly on a freelance basis/ The commissioner will help to develop a brief for the video, perhaps with a particular director in mind, including the budget, the deadline and other information. They will then send it with the music track to one or more directors or the production companies they work for.

Planning
The director will listen to the track, look at the music and lyrics and any other material. They then outline a proposal which gives a general idea for the video and can be anything from an outline of a script to an animated storyboard. If the record company or commissioners like the idea, they will usually hold a meeting with the director and maybe the artist. They will either amend the treatment or simply agree on it.

Budgeting
The producer draws up a budget which is approved by the head of production. The client can then agree with or negotiate this budget. A deal memo will then be countersigned on the director and budget. The production company has committed itself to expenditure as the director and producer need to put together the production unit.