Music Video Directing Courses and Schools

<p>There are very few programs specifically for music video directing. However, degrees relevant to music video directing are available at the associate's, bachelor's and master's levels. Typically, the higher level the degree, the more specified the courses become. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td>Associate's, bachelor's, master's</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td>Some relevant courses may include; media aesthetics, visual media, post-production, theory and practice of new media, entertainment law, cinematography, history of film, and audio for video techniques.</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Online</b></td><td>Some online degrees are available through private institutions.</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatExperienceWillIGainInADegreeProgram">What Experience Will I Gain in a Degree Program?</h3> <p>A degree program can provide you with the training and constructive feedback necessary to produce high-quality music videos professionally. You may take courses in camerawork, scripting, lighting and audio production, and you may also receive training in special equipment and editing software. You may be required to produce several films, television broadcasts and music videos during your study, which will allow you to gain hands-on experience and collaborate with other students. Many degree programs offer internships and regular instruction from professionals working in the media field. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatUndergraduateCoursesAreAvailable">What Undergraduate Courses are Available?</h3> <p>On your way to becoming a music video director, you may take courses in several aspects of video production, like cinematography, editing and audio as well as taking courses specifically designed to help you direct, film and edit music videos. </p> <p>Associate's degree programs in video production are typically two years long, and they may offer you a general education in production techniques. You might take some advanced coursework in broadcast television, filmmaking and music videos. Associate's degrees may lead to entry-level jobs or 4-year bachelor's degree programs. Bachelor's degree programs offer a similar introductory education, but they may have general education requirements and offer you more courses, hands-on experience and professional opportunities. These courses may be covered in an undergraduate degree program: </p> <ul><li>Story structure and character development </li><li>Creation of a demo reel and website </li><li>Post-production techniques </li><li>Screenwriting </li><li>Camera movements </li><li>Crew management </li><li>Producing and production design </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatGraduateCoursesAreAvailable">What Graduate Courses are Available?</h3> <p>Master's degree programs are usually 2-3 years long and are typically divided into two courses of study. In the first portion of your master's degree program, you might explore a number of different techniques, theories and histories of film and video. The second portion is often self-directed, allowing you to choose your own classes and areas of specialty, like music video directing. A media production workshop and a thesis might be required. </p> <h3 id="section---CanITakeCoursesOnline">Can I Take Courses Online?</h3> <p>A limited number of degree-granting programs in video production are available online through private, for-profit schools. You may also take individual courses in film online through distance education programs offered by universities, allowing you to learn some directing techniques from home. These will generally require a computer, Internet access and possibly video and audio editing software. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatSchoolsOfferMusicVideoDirectingCourses">What Schools Offer Music Video Directing Courses?</h3> <p>Consider these options for schools that offer relevant coursework in music editing, some of which include online options: </p> <ul><li>The University of Iowa (Iowa City) </li><li>Laney College (Oakland, CA) </li><li>The New School (New York, NY) </li><li>New York University (NY) </li><li>UCLA (Los Angeles, CA) </li><li>Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA)</li></ul>