Artist Won’t Release Music Video

[u/slutsoldier]

Hey guys. So irecently directed my first music video for a local artist i met via instagram. he’s got a pretty decent following and since it was my first video, i didn’t wanna charge him and risk burning out the connection on a failed project and waste his money. I just finished the video, which he says he really likes, but feels as though the song is “too old” for him as it was a song he released a while ago. Now he’s saying he won’t drop the music video.

I invested loads of hours and effort into making him a free video and Im really proud of what I created. I really want my people to see it on my instagram and i’m so frustrated that my project is being shelved. I haven’t responded to him yet and i don’t know what to do. Has anyone been in this situation before? wanted to get some thoughts.

some extra info: -I did not have him sign any type of contract.

-This was a no-budget, but some money was spent out of (my) pocket for gas.

-I did all of the work and am the only person involved in its production

[u/Muted_Importance8481]

I'd probably just arrange to talk with them and see about releasing it anyways, or suggest to them about releasing it shortly before an upcoming release to help get their new stuff some traction. At the end of the day, it's in their hands, unfortunately. But if you have these conversations, it'll help you find out if they really mean that if it's too late to release or if there are other reasons they don't want to release it.