How much does video production cost?
How much does video production cost?
$800 – $4,000 average cost per finished minute
Video production cost
Video production costs $800 to $4,000 per finished minute on average, depending on the video type, the video shoot length, special effects needed, and the production crew size and rates. A professionally filmed 2- to 3-minute corporate video costs $1,500 to $8,000+.
| Runtime | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 30-seconds | $700 – $2,500 |
| 1 minute | $800 – $4,000 |
| 2 minutes | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| 5 minutes | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| > 5 minutes | $4,000 – $10,000+ |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by Fash members.
Video production pricing sheet
Video production costs depend primarily on the production size and the crew needed. A basic keynote speech video requires only a minimal crew. In comparison, producing a TV commercial typically requires a director, script writer, actors, multiple videographers, and sound and lighting technicians.
| Production crew member | Average cost per hour |
|---|---|
| Producer / Project management and coordination | $50 – $250 |
| Video director | $50 – $250 |
| Main videographer cost | $75 – $350 |
| Second videographer | $25 – $200 |
| Actor or presenter (each) | $50 – $500 |
| Background extras (each) | $10 – $30 |
| Narrator or voice-over | $25 – $100 |
| Script writer / marketing writer | $30 – $150 |
| Video editor | $20 – $150+ |
| Video rendering | $25 – $75 |
| Sound technician | $40 – $100 |
| Lighting technician | $30 – $100 |
| Gaffer | $30 – $75 |
| Grip | $25 – $75 |
| Drone operator & equipment | $50 – $175 |
| Teleprompter operator & equipment | $50 – $150 |
| Hair stylist cost | $50 – $150 |
| Makeup artist cost | $50 – $120 |
| Special effects / VFX artist | $30 – $200 |
Additional video production costs
Other common costs during video production include:
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / location rental & permits | $100 – $500 per hour |
| Casting audition room rental | $30 – $100 per hour |
| Equipment rental | $25 – $200+ per hour |
| Supplemental visual assets (B-roll, cut-away shots, & stock video footage licensing) | 15% to 50% of total shooting cost |
| Music licensing fees | $10 – $50 per royalty-free music track |
| Custom music composition | $500 – $1,000+ per track |
| Closed captioning or subtitles | Adds 5% to 15% to total job cost |
| Catering / craft services | $25 per person per day |
Total production costs also depend on:
Video runtime – The final video length affects the number of hours or days of shooting time required, as well as the amount of post-production time.
Equipment type & quality – Production companies typically include equipment rental costs in their quote. The equipment needed depends on the video type and complexity.
Location / studio rental – Renting a studio or location costs $100 to $500 per hour, depending on the location's popularity and availability. Most cities also require a film permit and insurance to film outside a studio.
B-roll and stock footage – These shots make up 15% to 50% of the total shooting cost. B-roll footage is supplemental video intercut with the main narrative shots, like shots of your products or staff in action. The production company may license stock footage to supplement your video.
Music licensing / composition – Licensing royalty-free music costs much less than hiring a composer to score your video. Licensing a popular song will significantly increase costs.
Travel expenses – Additional costs apply for mileage, transportation, hotels, and meals if the production crew must travel outside their standard range to reach the shooting location. Hire a local production crew to minimize travel expenses.
Post-production – Involves editing, adding special effects or animations, and rendering the final video in a playable format. Costs depend on the video's complexity:
Video editor rates are $20 to $150+ per hour, depending on their experience and the project's complexity. Editing a multi-camera shoot typically takes longer and costs more than a single-camera shoot.
Special effects, animations, and motion graphics add to final production and rendering costs.
Video production crew rates
Video production crew rates depend on the crew size and the shooting length. A small crew includes 1 or 2 videographers who also handle the sound and lighting. A typical mid-sized crew might include a director, 2 videographers, a sound technician, a lighting technician, and actors.
| Rate | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $100 – $500 |
| Half-day rate | $400 – $2,000 |
| Day rate (small to mid-sized crew) | $800 – $4,000 |
| Day rate (large crew) | $2,500 – $10,000+ |
*For entire crew.
Video production price packages
Some video production companies offer package pricing based on your project's complexity. A simple testimonial video featuring one customer might require only a basic video package. A brand promo video may require a higher-level package with multiple cameras, shooting locations, and actors.
| Package | Average cost (1- to 3-minute video) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $800 – $4,000 |
|
| Pro | $1,500 – $8,000 |
|
| Premier | $3,000 – $15,000+ |
|
Commercial video production costs by project
Commercial video production costs vary widely according to the video type and scope.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Corporate marketing video | $1,500 – $8,000+ |
| Corporate training video | $1,500 – $8,000+ |
| Explainer video | $2,000 – $6,000+ |
| Documentary video | $2,000 – $6,000+ |
| Music video | $2,000 – $50,000+ |
| Workout video | $5,000 – $20,000+ |
| Real estate video shoot | $250 – $600 |
How to save on my video production budget
Follow these tips to save money on your video production:
Pre-production planning – Have clear goals for your video up front. Write a script and create rough storyboards to guide the production crew. The more time you spend on planning, the less chance you'll run into costly problems during the shoot itself.
Location – Shoot in your office or place of business instead of renting a studio or location.
On-screen talent – Make sure your actors and presenters are familiar with the script and know all their cues before shooting. Use your employees, friends, or clients as actors to reduce costs.
Equipment – Use DSLR or mirrorless cameras to shoot your video. These days, their video quality is on par with that of much more expensive professional studio cameras.
Special effects – Use fewer motion graphics and special effects to keep costs down.
Bulk video production – Some production companies offer discounted package pricing if you book multiple video shoots at the same time.
Don't cut costs by skimping on the sound recording. A video with simple cinematography and high-quality audio will often outperform a video with great cinematography but poor audio quality.
Getting estimates from video production companies
Before hiring a video production company, be sure to:
Establish your goals and concept for the video.
Set a budget.
Select a company specializing in the video type you want —for example, promotional videos, corporate training videos, documentaries, conference video coverage, or music videos.
Review their portfolio of similar projects.
Read their reviews on Fash and Google.
Ask for references with contact information.
Get a detailed contract in writing before the project begins.
Confirm the contract covers usage rights for your finished video.
Don’t make the last payment until you’ve received the final video.
Questions to ask
Ask these questions to ensure you hire the best video production company:
What is your rate structure?
Can you describe your production process?
What kind of pre-production planning services do you provide?
How many videographers will you provide?
Do you have a director?
What type of video and audio equipment do you use?
Will you shoot my video in a studio or on location?
Do you use stock footage and music?
Will you handle the editing in-house or outsource it?
How soon can I get the edited video?
What formats will you deliver the video in?
Do you provide marketing services for the finished video?
Will we own the rights to the video? Are there any sharing or use restrictions?
Will you share our videos on your website or social media?