How Much is a Video?

How Much is a Video?

As a video production company owner, I get this question in passing all the time...So what’s a video cost?

Seriously? My initial, wise guy answer is, “About seven to 10 times what you have budgeted...”

Pricing a video is similar to budgeting for a car...there are base models, mid-range vehicles, and luxury automobiles...with video, there are different levels of production value & “extras” that you can add into your project that will determine your final investment.

A good video production consumer should at least be aware of what their budget range is...this will immediately rule out some companies and some services...

I have heard so many people say, “So a friend in marketing told me a good budget for a video is $1,000 per finished minute...” - Yea, not really...

For example, a good, quality video producer/director in Atlanta could be anywhere from $600-$1,000 per day. Now that price will jump considerably if you’re budgeting in NY, LA, or Chicago, or other cities that are higher up the TV market list from Atlanta...So if you only have budgeted $3,000 for your 3 minute video, you’re probably going to go over budget...

But that’s not to say you can’t find a company or person to say yes to that budget, or find a friend or creative relative with a camera...but more often than not, this approach leads to a video disaster, and, a huge waste of time, that you don’t want your name on, so in the long run, it will cost you more time and money.

Here’s some other examples of crew rates...Please be aware these are common ranges in Atlanta, and yes you can negotiate, but these people are professionals and should be paid accordingly...

A good, quality Director of Photography, or DP costs anywhere from $500-$1,000 or more, depending on experience...

A script writer ranges from $500-$800 per day...

A creative video editor, that can also do some motion graphics can be $50-$150 per hour...

A motion graphics designer ranges from $50-$150...

A pro voice over through a talent agency for one script ranges from $580-$750...

These rates are for just a few of the services that go into a professional video. There are many other services that you may need, like casting, set-building, location scouting, actors, music composition, studio & equipment rental, and much more...

So again, a great approach is to have at least a budget range in mind when you begin to talk with a production company. It will help you in weeding out companies that might be out of reach, i.e. you’re not going to Spielberg or Scorsese to ask them to produce your next promo video...unless you have a $100 million budget...

And feel free to ask as many questions as you need to, an informed client is our best client.

Finally, you could always try to do it yourself :(

Talk to you soon, God willing!