The Sample Song and Brief
Song: "City of Small Lights", a fictional indie-pop track, 3 minutes 20 seconds.
Theme: two friends who drifted apart reconnect on one night in the city.
Concept type: hybrid, with narrative scenes intercut with the artist performing on a rooftop.
If you want to understand how to arrive at a concept like this, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a music video script.
Treatment Summary
Look: warm practical lights against blue night tones; handheld for the street, smooth slow moves for the rooftop. Locations: apartment, bus stop, street market, rooftop. Wardrobe: Meera in a yellow raincoat for visibility in night frames.
Sample Music Video Script
| Time | Section | Visual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:12 | Intro | Close-up of rain on a window. Rack focus to Meera inside, scrolling her phone. | Ambient rain sound under intro. |
| 0:12–0:40 | Verse 1 | Meera finds a two-year-old voice note from Arjun. She listens, smiles, then hesitates. Intercut: artist on rooftop, singing, city lights behind. | Lip-sync on artist only. |
| 0:40–1:05 | Chorus | Meera grabs the yellow raincoat and runs out. Wide rooftop shot pulls back to reveal the skyline. | Cut on the downbeat as the door slams. |
| 1:05–1:35 | Verse 2 | Bus stop: Meera checks an old photo. Street market: she asks a vendor, who points down the lane. | Handheld, shallow focus on Meera. |
| 1:35–2:00 | Chorus 2 | Meera runs through the market; strings of lights blur past. Artist performs with more energy. | Whip pan from market to rooftop on the final beat. |
| 2:00–2:30 | Bridge | Music drops. Meera stops outside a closed café that used to be their spot. She plays the voice note again. | Silence for one bar; let the moment breathe. |
| 2:30–3:05 | Final chorus | A voice behind her: Arjun, holding two cups of tea. They laugh. Camera rises up the building to find the artist on the roof. | Crane or drone move, subject to permissions. |
| 3:05–3:20 | Outro | Wide night skyline. The rain stops. Fade to black on the last note. | Title card: artist and song name. |
The whip pan in Chorus 2 is one of the movement-based camera transitions that suit music videos.
From Script to Production Breakdown
- 4 locations, 2 shoot days
- Rooftop permission confirmed
- Rain machine or real-weather plan
- Playback speaker for lip-sync
- Duplicate yellow raincoats
- Drone permissions checked
The breakdown feeds the schedule and budget, the next steps in the stages of production.
Blank Music Video Script Template
| Time | Section | Lyric (optional) | Visual | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00– | Intro | ||||
| Verse 1 | |||||
| Chorus | |||||
| Verse 2 | |||||
| Bridge | |||||
| Outro |
Use your own lyrics in the template. Never paste copyrighted lyrics from other artists into public documents.
Tips for Using This Sample
Time it to your track
Replace timecodes with your song's real structure.
Keep one idea
Adapt the concept rather than adding extra storylines.
Write for the budget
Cut locations before you cut performance quality.
Share early
Show the artist the table before locking the shoot.
Bringing the Script to Life
A script like this needs a crew that can handle playback, night lighting, and rain. A music and performance video studio in India can schedule it efficiently. An independent artist marketing agency in India can plan teasers from the same shoot. A versatile music video crew company manages rooftops and drone shots safely.
Artists in Karnataka may prefer a Bengaluru music video team, while label releases may choose one of the best-known music video directors' studios in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a music video script look like?
Usually a table with timecodes, song sections, visual descriptions, locations, and production notes.
Can I use this music video script sample?
Yes. Use the structure and blank template as a starting point and adapt it to your song.
Should lyrics be included in a music video script?
Including your own lyrics can help timing, but avoid reproducing other artists' copyrighted lyrics.
How many scenes should a music video have?
Enough to match the song's sections and budget. Many videos use four to eight distinct setups.
What is the difference between a treatment and a script?
A treatment pitches the concept and look; the script details every moment against the song's timeline.
Start From the Template, Make It Yours
A music video script sample gives you structure; your song gives it life. Map your track, adapt the table, and keep the concept focused. When you are ready to shoot, discuss your music video with us.
Ready to plan your next video?
Tell us about your project, timeline, and goals, and the Editatease team will suggest the right approach.
Contact Editatease