Making a music video is not the daunting task it once was. With some strategic planning, a small budget, and some gullible friends, your ticket to video superstardom is almost guaranteed (Okay, not really, but you can still get a pretty cool video out of the deal).

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The first dramatic difference was the cost. It was shocking to discover that the video from the 1980s cost about four times what last year's video cost. Now, granted, they were two different projects with different people involved, yet the production value was roughly equal (for their respective eras) as well as their running times (3-4 minutes). A big part of that is the fact that digital cameras are much more cost-effective and are now within the financial reach of many more people. The quality that is achievable today on a handheld digital video camera once required two or three expensive union cameramen with large amounts of equipment. In the 1980s, we needed three smooth operators to run camera, sound, and lighting for each scene of the video.

In 2007, all the scenes could be done by one guy from Ohio--and they were! Now, if you need Dreamworks-style graphics and glamorous Hollywood actors to pull off the actual content of the video, you're on your own from here.

Otherwise, read on.

Here's where a good storyboard saves the day. A storyboard is basically a comic strip-style layout description of the scenes of your video: Dialog, plot development, interaction--in short, the content--is illustrated in the storyboard. Be as specific and creative as possible, describing camera angles, cutaway shots and overhead shots. A vague and weak storyboard will make the process awkward and likely more expensive. A good one can be a boost to everyone's morale and make the process run smoothly. I know this because I never had storyboards. Nope, never learned. Still, the videos got made. No budget? No storyboard? Then how, Mr. Thomas, how? Well, I'll tell you, kids.

First, pick your best song. Some would argue that it should be the song that seems best for a video. In any case, make sure it's a Really Good Song. It can sometimes even override a weak video, but not in all cases (witness Don Henley).

Second, hire the best cameraman you can afford. Explain your situation beforehand. Make sure you can work together comfortably, then go. If the cameraman is having fun, the video will turn out better; I can almost guarantee it.

Third, Eye Candy. This is a very important point to share. If you've got a computer graphics wizard for a friend, see what he/she could do for you in that department. If, like me, you don't have a friend anywhere in that field, then the weight is more on your act's shoulders. You will need to exploit your own performing and acting skills. Practice, practice, practice. With a good frontperson to "sell it," some decent outfits, maybe a goofy haircut or some gimmick, you can still get a video produced. Even the Lo-Fi look has its own appeal at times. Tap your friends, get creative, but make it look good on screen.

Fourth, editing. Check out all the music video television programs and notice how shots are cut, splices and fadeaways are made, and how they sync visuals to vocals and music. If you don't have an actual person to put all the footage together, you might consider investing in some computer software for that very purpose. They range from very basic to extremely complex. See what works best for you. Have fun and let Latin Beat know of any success you have.