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Years Ago, A Music Video Like This Would Have Cost Millions. Now an Indie Band Can Do It.

We reached Peak Music Video sometime in the 1990s. The budgets for at least three Madonna videos topped $5 million. The Michael/Janet Jackson script for “Scream” cost $7 million. Even so, that kind of investment made sense when such clips could boost album sales into the multi-platinum levels.

Special effects? Whatever you need. Costuming and makeup? Just ask. Fast cars and sexy boats? No problem. A couple of helicopters for dramatic overhead shots? You got it.

Today, music videos are nowhere near as important as they used to be but are still important to get the word out on a song, an album and a band. Thankfully, though, the costs of making a high-quality video are nowhere near as high thanks to tiny 4K cameras, laptops with editing software and drones.

Take a look at what Edmonton’s The Royal Foundry has done for their single, “All We Have,” which was shot entirely with off-the-shelf drones. I can’t imagine what this might have cost in 1994.

Royal Foundry has just announced some tour dates.

Aug 12 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Summer Games

Aug 24 – Edmonton, AB – CD Release Show at The Needle Vinyl Tavern

Oct. 5th – Rossland, BC – The Flying Steamshovel

Oct. 6th – Kelowna, BC – Doc Willoughby’s

Oct. 7th – Vancouver, BC – The Railway Stage

Oct. 10th – Lethbridge, AB – The Slice

Oct. 12th – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar

Oct. 14th – St. Albert, AB – Amplify

Oct. 15th – Edmonton, AB – The Needle Vinyl Tavern

Oct. 19th – Lloydminster, AB – The Root

Oct. 20th – Regina, SK – O’Hanlons

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39691 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “Years Ago, A Music Video Like This Would Have Cost Millions. Now an Indie Band Can Do It.

  • Videos are more important than you might think – they’re the one thing people click on in a blog post about a song. If I review a record, I might link the Bandcamp but if there’s a video they’re vastly more likely to click on it …

    Reply

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