How NOT to get Airplay for your Music Video
June 16th, 2006 by Baconstrip
Today I will discuss the top 10 reasons why your music video might not get any airplay on UVTV or any music video program for that matter. There are tons of them nationwide that can get you lots of exposure some are quite picky about submitted material, other not so much. Let’s go over reasons you won’t get airplay for shows like mine with higher standards:
#1: YOUR BAND SUCKS
The number one reason to never get airplay anywhere is if you suck. If you do not have a quality recording with a decent song forget it. No matter how kick ass your video LOOKS – no one wants to LISTEN to a shitty recording of a shitty band.
#2: POOR QUALITY & BAD FOOTAGE
Make sure you have the best quality footage you can muster or afford. Sure making footage look old, dirty and crappy intentionally can be cool, but bad footage is bad footage period. Pay attention to things being framed well, smooth editing, and if there is a storyline that it makes sense to someone other than you and your band.
#3: NOT SYNCHED UP
Parts of a video that show the band playing or performing should be synched up as best you can. Footage of a guitarist, singer or drummer doing something obviously different than what you are hearing is annoying! Use quick clips if not in synch or do something to it like slow motion, or some other cool effect. Of course the best way to insure this is not to use live footage at a gig and try synching to your CD audio. Do a real music video – fake to your CD audio when shooting performance sequences and use several takes to get the best shots you can.
#4: LAME INTRO AND BAD GRAPHICS
Long intros are boring. Get to the meat. Get to the music playing. Sure you might need something to setup a story or the scene, but stick to only what you need. If it is longer than 20 seconds it is probably too long. Also DO NOT put in your band logo with some stupid effect swirling it in with light rays then burning on fire & smoking then blowing it up into pieces. Please, leave your lame graphics of your band logo to your flash intros to your website. On second thought – you should trash those too!
#5: OUT OF THE BOX EFFECTS
Watch out using effects with your video editor. Don’t use silly transitions. Don’t use the presets that came with your software. Make it original and be creative. You can easily ruin good footage and a good video using too many lame effects.
#6: VIDEO IS TOO LONG
Unless you are Slayer, Metallica, Black Sabbath, or Anthrax if your video is over 5 minutes long then it is most likely 2 minutes too long. No epics. The best run time is 3-4 minutes.
#7: TOTALLY WRONG GENRE
UVTV is hard rock, rock, metal, hardcore and similar styles. If your video is hip hop, dance, or country well guess what? You submitted to the wrong show. Seek out shows that have those genres and submit to them!
#8: USING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
Do not use clips from TV or from movies. This is a copyright infringement. I will not risk whether you did get permission or the rights to use the material or not it is easier to just not use your video.
#9: YOU CAN’T READ & FAIL TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
There is a page on the UVTV website that gives very specific info about what you need to do to submit your video including format info, required signed waivers, and information needed for us to air your video. Read it. Follow it. Simple! Click Here for Info on How to Submit Your Video to UVTV. Do the same when submitting to any video program. Read he damned directions!!
#10: YOU DON’T SEND IT
No one can use what they don’t have! See #9!
are we talking about live footage, or rehearsal footage?
Check http://www.uvtv.info/submit.html – We cant accept live footage, only regular music videos.
Hope I helped!
funny. I am trying to help PROMOTE BANDS ON MYSPACE, I DONT KNOW IF YOU NOTICED OR NOT, should i just refer them to you? or you can check them out yourself (?) some referals came from Grinding Granny, she is cool too.
i like this list, i’d like to post it too.
ol’lady
I think the number 1 reason would be not having videos played might lack of label support…
With regards to bag2289, that is a false illusion. Bands do not need to rely on labels to do anything if they A work hard and B have a brain.
I agree with all the points Richiedude has made except that using Live footage can have excellent results if it is pulled off (don’t use our video as an example, that was a bedroom edit job!)