Learn how to create a visually captivating, DIY music video from initial concept to the big screen. Taught by filmmaker and Mayfair Theatre co-owner Petr Maur, this hands-on, multi-week course breaks down professional film production into accessible techniques you can execute on a minimal budget.
Drawing on his experience across cult indie films and major set productions, Petr guides a student crew through every stage of production. In partnership with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), your class will select an active local band, scout real-world locations, build sets, direct live production shoot days, and structure a commercial-ready edit, culminating in an official Saturday afternoon premiere on the big screen at the Mayfair Theatre!
Course Rundown
Format: 10-Week Collaborative Production Course
Week 1: Music Video Analysis & Visual Style
Analyze visually engaging music videos across camera styles, direction, production design, and mood. Explore practical camera tricks and visual effects. Homework: Listen to 5 tracks from participating local bands and develop visual concepts.
Week 2: Concept Pitching & Song Selection
Pitch visual concepts in a group setting, designate a team scribe, select the final song as a crew, and map out realistic, achievable visual techniques for the production.
Week 3: Pre-Production & Scene Planning
Organize production requirements, outline necessary shots, map scene geography, and evaluate potential shooting locations.
Week 4: On-Location Scouting
Meet on location to evaluate physical logistics, lighting opportunities, shoot timing, spatial limitations, and site possibilities.
Week 5: Set Dressing, Props & Shoot Schedule
Build master shooting schedules, allocate timing per scene, create prop lists, organize wardrobe, set dress the location, and test music playback, camera moves, and direction plans.
Weeks 6 & 7: Production Shoot Days (Extended Sessions)
Step on set for dedicated 6-hour shooting days. Execute the schedule, direct talent, manage camera movement, and film the project on location under real-time production conditions.
Week 8: Post-Production & Edit Breakdown
Deconstruct the song timeline into clear visual sections. Build comprehensive director and editor notes to guide final pacing, visual placement, and post-production structure.
Week 9: Rough Cut Review & Class Feedback
Review the initial edit cut as a crew. Provide collaborative notes and refine scene sequencing, shot selection, and narrative flow.
Week 10: Final Master, Colour & Export
Apply finishing touches, colour correction, basic video effects, and minor cut adjustments. Export the final commercial-ready video file for official band release.
Final Showcase: Mayfair Theatre Premiere
Celebrate your completed project with a Saturday afternoon public screening premiere on the big screen at the Mayfair Theatre!
By The End Of This Course, You Will:
- Understand the end-to-end 10-week music video production pipeline.
- Collaborate as a crew across directing, camera, art department, and location management.
- Scout locations, resolve site limitations, and build realistic shooting schedules.
- Gain hands-on experience executing 6-hour production shoot days with a real band.
- Structure detailed post-production edit blueprints and colour grading directions.
- Deliver an official music video for a local band, featured in a Mayfair Theatre screening.
Prerequisites & Requirements
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Pre-Course Submission: Before class begins, submit a YouTube link to a music video you love and prepare to discuss its visual style or camera techniques.
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Recommended Background: In-person, hands-on environment. Strong interest or background in camera work, props/set design, performance, storytelling, directing, or project organization.
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Teamwork & Homework: Requires active group collaboration, prop building, and project coordination between sessions.
Course Details
Dates: To be announced
Format: 10 weekly sessions (including 6-hour shoot days) + Saturday screening
Location: Urban Art Collective Art Hub, 50 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa & On-Location (Screening at Mayfair Theatre)
Instructor: Petr Maur
Partnership: Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC)
Level: Intermediate / Collaborative Project
Maximum Capacity: To be announced
Minimum Enrolment: 6 students required
