Music Video Production Checklist: From Concept to Broadcast-Ready

Hook: Stop losing time to inconsistent shoots — get a cinematic, broadcast-ready music video, every time

You’re an indie artist or small team chasing a cinematic music video (think horror-tinged, atmospheric storytelling like Mitski’s recent visuals) — but production chaos, missed clearances, and platform rejections keep derailing releases. This checklist turns tacit knowledge into repeatable SOPs so you ship a polished, legal, and platform-ready video without last-minute panic.

Why this checklist matters in 2026

In late 2025 and early 2026 the industry accelerated three trends that change how indie productions must operate:

• AI-assisted workflows are routine for editing, VFX, and captioning — but they introduce new rights and consent needs.
• HDR and higher-quality masters moved from boutique to expected for cinematic work on streaming platforms and broadcast buyers.
• Richer metadata and delivery pipelines became standardized (DDEX-style practices, unified delivery manifests), speeding playlist and platform ingestion but requiring precise data.

So: it’s not enough to just “make it look good.” You must document, clear, and deliver to modern specs while protecting rights and making reuse simple. Below are end-to-end checklists and SOP snippets tailored for indie artists creating cinematic videos with legal and platform delivery items included.

Quick structure — what you’ll find

1. Pre-production checklist (creative + legal)
2. Production day-of checklist (capture + safety)
3. Post-production checklist (workflow + QC)
4. Deliverables & specs by platform
5. Legal & rights-clearance playbook
6. Release plan & distribution checklist
7. SOP, onboarding and QA templates you can adopt

Pre-production checklist (concept to shooting script)

At this stage you lock creative decisions, clear legal questions, and ensure you can deliver all necessary technical items.

Creative & planning

• Concept doc: 1-page summary, tone references (moodboard images or links), director’s statement — mention inspirations but avoid direct copyrighted quotes unless cleared.
• Script & storyboard: shot-by-shot plan, VFX notes, and a 1-line purpose for each scene (emotion, plot function).
• Shot list & schedule: prioritized shots, day/night, interior/exterior, contingency scenes for bad weather or lighting.
• Budget & vendor list: contacts for camera, grips, makeup/prosthetics, VFX, colorist, and mixer; include day rates and deposit deadlines.

Legal, rights & logistics (do these early)

• Song ownership check: Confirm master owner and publishing splits. If you don’t own 100% of the composition and master, plan sync and master sync clearances.
• Sync license intent: Draft a simple sync license request to your label/publisher or prepare publisher contacts; get written consent for the video use.
• Sample and quote clearance: If the concept uses a literary quote, image or excerpt (e.g., a Shirley Jackson motif), obtain permission — inspiration is safe; quoted text often is not.
• Location & prop clearance: Confirm permits, fees, and whether props (logos, branded items, period vehicles) require licensing. Get location release signed by owner.
• Insurance: Production liability and equipment coverage — obtain certificates and attach to vendor contracts.
• Talent & crew releases: Model releases with explicit terms for AI use and future derivative works (2025–26 best practice).
• Union considerations: Check SAG-AFTRA/IPA rules if hiring union background or principal actors — even small indie shoots can trigger minimums.

SOP snippet — file naming & asset tagging

Standardized names avoid confusion downstream. Example convention:

ARTIST_SONGTITLE_SHOT_YYYYMMDD_VERSION.EXT (e.g., Mitski_WhereIsMyPhone_SHOT01_20260210_V1.MOV)

Tag every asset with: artist, project code, shoot date, department, operator.

Production day-of checklist (capture with QA in mind)

Production should generate assets that are ingestable and traceable. Add these to every call sheet.

Pre-shoot checks

• Call sheet distributed with clear parking, load-in, contact numbers.
• Safety briefing recorded in call sheet (COVID-era protocols evolved into AI/data & strobe/pyro safety in 2025).
• Camera settings lock: frame rate, shutter, codec, color space, LUT reference documentation.
• Slate/take numbering convention defined and communicated.

On-set capture

• Camera & media: record dual media (if possible) for instant redundancy. Consider camera choices and compact options — see field tests like the Orion Handheld X review for creator-focused capture devices.
• Audio: lav + boom, slate with audio slate tone; record room tone and wild lines for ADR needs.
• VFX plates: for horror visuals, capture clean plates, tracker markers, and lens calibration charts.
• Continuity & production notes: stills of wardrobe, props, blocking; log takes with notes on issues to flag for visual effects or ADR.
• On-set releases: signed talent releases before filming; witness signature option for minors.
• Chain of custody: treat hard drives as legal evidence — sign-off when passes between DIT, editor, and storage.

DIT & backup SOP

1. Ingest to two independent drives (RAID + backup), checksum each file (MD5 or SHA-256), record checksums in manifest.
2. Create a daily production backup report (file list, durations, lens metadata, operator).
3. Generate low-res proxies for rough cut and quick review uploads to cloud collaboration tool.

Post-production checklist (editing through delivery)

Design a reproducible pipeline so final masters are consistent and deliverable across platforms.

Ingest & editorial

• Confirm media verification (checksums match).
• Organize project bins by scene/shot and tag selects with metadata: VFX, ADR, music cues, continuity notes.
• Temp audio mix and temporary color LUTs; embed editor notes and timecode burn-ins for VFX handoff.
• Create an editorial SOP outlining autosave, project file naming, and version control (V1, V2…).

VFX & color

• VFX brief with plates, match-move markers, and frame-accurate notes; use an asset manifest for each VFX shot. Compact vlogging and creator setups can speed reviews — see the Studio Field Review for field-friendly configuration tips.
• Color grade in calibrated environment; deliver both SDR (Rec.709) and HDR (PQ/Rec.2100) masters if targeting premium platforms.
• Export and archive grading LUTs and session notes for future remasters or sales to broadcasters.

Audio — mix and loudness

• Final mix to industry loudness targets (platform dependent): Streaming ~ -14 LUFS integrated; Broadcast (EBU R128) ~ -23 LUFS — include both stems if requested.
• Deliver full mix + separated stems (dialog, music, fx) in 24-bit/48kHz WAV unless vendor specifies otherwise.
• ADR and Foley notes archived in project folder.

QC & compliance

• Run automated QC tools for technical errors (macroblocking, dropped frames, audio clipping, black frames).
• Manual watch: check captions, burned-in timecode, visible slate, continuity pops, and color shifts between scenes.
• Accessibility check: verified closed captions (SRT/TTML), correct speaker labels, and optional audio descriptions.

Master & deliverables: filenames, formats, and manifest

Package a clear delivery set for platforms, promo partners, and broadcast buyers.

Recommended mezzanine & masters (2026)

• Mezzanine master (archive & high-quality delivery): ProRes 422 HQ or ProRes 4444 XQ, 4K/UHD (3840x2160) or deliver project’s native resolution, 24-bit 48kHz audio.
• Broadcast master: DNxHR or ProRes 422 HQ with timecode burn-in and color bars if requested by broadcaster.
• Streaming deliverables: H.264/H.265 MP4 or MOV at platform-optimized bitrates; create multiple variants (4K, 1080p, vertical crop for short-form when applicable).
• HDR: PQ (ST 2084) or HLG master plus metadata specifying CEA-861 and color primaries if required.

Common file naming examples

• ARTIST_TITLE_MASTER_4K_PRORES_20260115.mov
• ARTIST_TITLE_YT_1080P_H264_20260115.mp4
• ARTIST_TITLE_STEMS_MIX1_24b_48k.wav

Delivery manifest (what to include)

• List of files with checksums and durations.
• Color space and LUTs used.
• Audio stem list and loudness targets used.
• Credits list and rights statement (who owns master and composition, sync license info, any third-party clearances).
• Closed captions and subtitle files with language codes.

Legal & rights-clearance playbook (indie-friendly)

Clearances make or break a release. Use this as your legal SOP checklist before you spend on color or VFX.

Rights to lock

• Sync license: Permission to synchronize the composition with visual content — obtain from publisher.
• Master license: If you don’t own the master, secure permission from the record label or owner.
• Mechanical rights: Typically for audio reproduction and distribution of the song—handled via distributor/aggregator.
• Performance rights: Register the use with the relevant PROs for public performance royalties.
• Clear samples & interpolations: Treat each sample as a separate negotiation; never assume “short use” is free.
• Model & location releases: Signed releases for all appearing performers and locations — include explicit use for AI and future edits.
• Trademark & logos: Blur or get permission for branded items visible in-frame.

AI & generative elements (2025–26 best practice)

With AI tools used in 2025–26, add an explicit clause in releases granting rights for AI-assisted editing or synthetic background generation. Track the source of AI models used for liability reasons; see creative automation guidance on provenance and model tracking.

Platform delivery & quick specs (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Streaming & Broadcast)

Always verify current docs, but these 2026-validated guidelines will cover most needs.

YouTube / Vevo

• Master: MP4 (H.264) or MOV — For highest quality, upload mezzanine (ProRes) to YouTube’s higher bitrate backend.
• Audio: Stereo 24-bit/48kHz; target -14 LUFS for streaming loudness.
• Captions: .SRT or .SBV; include accurate chapter markers where useful.

Short-form platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels)

• Vertical crops and 9:16 renders required. Provide 4K when possible to maintain sharpness after recompression.
• Shorter intros and strong first 3 seconds increases completion rates — craft a trim-specific edit.

Broadcast buyers & TV

• Deliver ProRes or DNxHR mezzanine, 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 color sampling as requested.
• Include test tone, color bars, and delivery notes for timecode and frame rate conversion warnings.
• Conform audio to EBU R128 or local broadcast standard.

Release plan & distribution checklist

Timing and metadata drive discoverability — prepare these elements before final export.

• Metadata: Artist name, song title, composer credits, ISRC for the track, UPC for release, release date, label/publisher contacts, credits (director, DP, colorist, mixer). Consider a metadata-first workflow to simplify platform ingestion.
• Pre-release assets: High-resolution stills, behind-the-scenes clips, one-sheet with credits and rights summary.
• Content ID: Register on YouTube Content ID to manage monetization and usage tracking; read recent analysis on YouTube’s monetization shifts.
• Premiere strategy: Schedule YouTube premiere, partner with press and playlists, and coordinate social snippets for short-form platforms.
• Festival & broadcast submissions: Export festival-friendly versions (DCP or recommendations) and keep delivery manifests for each submission.

QA checklist before public release

Run this final pass with fresh eyes and a separate reviewer.

1. Confirm master files match checksums recorded in manifest.
2. Play video end-to-end on multiple devices (desktop, mobile, TV) and check color and audio consistency.
3. Verify closed captions sync and are accurate for dialogue and on-screen text.
4. Check credits and legal notices for accuracy (spellings, PRO IDs).
5. Confirm all third-party clearances are on file with signed documents attached to the delivery manifest.
6. Validate delivery file sizes and upload bandwidth estimates; pack power and upload kits (see best budget powerbanks & chargers) and then upload to cloud and verify public/private links and access rights.

Case study: Producing a horror-tinged house-set video (inspired by Mitski’s 2026 visuals)

Here’s a compact application of the checklist to a cinematic, atmospheric shoot that relies on mood, practical FX, and tight legal stewardship.

• Pre-pro: Moodboard collected from classic haunted-house films; legal flagged use of a 1950s quote as a motif — team chooses not to include an excerpt verbatim to avoid clearance delays and instead writes an original narration that evokes the same tone. Turn production stills and notes into press-ready assets as in song-story visual guides.
• Production: Practical effects (fog, practical blood prosthetics) require safety briefing and Medical/pyrotechnics permits. DIT ingests plates with tracker markers and notes for compositing atmospheric windows.
• Post: VFX team composites low-opacity ghost figure using motion-tracked plates; colorist delivers both SDR and HDR grades; final deliverables include stems for music-led streaming and a broadcast master for TV licensing.
• Legal: Model and location releases include an AI clause because the director used an AI-assisted background generator for a few subtle plate extensions.

SOPs, onboarding & downloadable templates (what to include in your bundle)

If you’re building repeatable processes for your team or contractors, these templates are mission-critical:

• Pre-production SOP: Creative brief template, shot list, permit checklist, vendor contact sheet.
• Onboarding checklist for new hires and contractors: account access, file-system walkthrough, naming conventions, health & safety rules.
• Production DIT SOP: Ingest steps, checksum, proxy creation, metadata labeling.
• Post-production SOP: Edit versioning, VFX handoff format, color grading checklist, audio stems standard.
• QA & delivery manifest: Master checklist, platform specs table, required captions and metadata fields.
• Legal templates: Model release (incl. AI clause), location release, sync license request template, sample clearance checklist.

Advanced strategies & future-proofing (2026–2028)

Plan for growth, licensing revenue, and evolving tech:

• Archive everything with checksums — a robust archive saves revenue opportunities (licensing/sync years later) and simplifies remasters.
• Track provenance of AI elements and third-party assets to respond to takedowns or audit requests.
• Modular deliverables: Create vertical, square, and short-form cuts at final pass to reduce repurposing time and accelerate promotional campaigns. For vertical-first approaches, see the AI Vertical Video Playbook.
• Metadata-first workflow: Capture ISRC/UPC and credits early so platform ingestion is frictionless and monetization is immediate. Also review modular publishing workflows for templates-as-code approaches.

Actionable takeaways — 6 quick actions to implement now

1. Create one master SOP for file naming and hand it to every vendor.
2. Get model/location releases signed before craft services arrive.
3. Always produce at least one mezzanine master (ProRes) even if you deliver compressed versions to platforms.
4. Request sync clearance as soon as you set a release date.
5. Embed an AI clause in releases to cover generative edits and assistants.
6. Run a final QA on multiple devices and keep the QA checklist attached to the delivery manifest.

Closing: Get the downloadable SOP & checklist bundle

Make cinematic music video production repeatable: adopt these checklists into your workflow and reduce last-minute crises. Our downloadable bundle includes production SOPs, onboarding checklists, QC templates, legal release forms (model, location, AI consent), and a delivery manifest you can copy-paste into your productions.

Ready to stop reinventing operational documents and start shipping broadcast-ready videos with confidence? Download the bundle and get an editable master checklist to use on your next shoot.

Call to action

Download the Music Video Production Checklist bundle (SOPs, onboarding, QA templates, legal releases and delivery manifests) at Checklist.top — and turn every shoot into a predictable, professional release.

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