Planning a corporate video project involves navigating a lot of variables, from creative vision to logistical details. Many of our potential clients reach out simply wanting to know: What does a video cost? Well, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on what kind of video you’re envisioning and the level of production quality you’re aiming for.
We know you might just want a ballpark figure or a clear understanding of the parameters and variables involved, so here’s a straightforward guide to help you budget and plan for your next corporate video project.
Initial Questions to Consider
Before diving into costs, here are three critical questions we ask prospective clients:
- Do you have a budget? A defined budget signals that your video is part of a thought-out marketing or communications plan. It shows commitment and helps us determine if we’re aligned from the start.
- What is your budget? While this question can make some clients uneasy, it’s essential. Knowing your budget ensures we can tailor the project’s scope to meet your expectations.
- Do you sign off on the budget? It’s vital to work with decision-makers or those who fully understand the project scope. This avoids misunderstandings and ensures efficient planning.
- Do you have a brief? A clear brief (even a simple one) helps ensure you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating proposals and aligns expectations about quality, crew, and equipment.
Breaking Down the Costs
Pre-Production
Pre-production is all the work that happens before filming. It includes creative development, scripting, storyboarding, scheduling, and logistics like booking crew, equipment, and locations.
- Basic Pre-Production: For a simple project (e.g., a one-day shoot with interviews), expect about a day of a producer’s time. Budget: $500.
- Comprehensive Pre-Production: For more complex projects, creative and executive producers collaborate to develop scripts, storyboards, and shot lists. This can take 5-6 days over a few weeks. Budget: $2,500.
- Art Direction: For projects requiring branded visual elements like title cards or captions, additional art direction might be needed. Budget: $2,000.
Filming Day
A standard filming day is 10 hours (e.g., 7 AM to 5 PM, including an hour for lunch). Costs depend on crew size, equipment, and production values.
- Typical Setup: For a customer success story or case study, a director of photography (DoP) and director with one camera, lights, and sound equipment would cost around $3,000/day.
- Additional Crew: Depending on the project’s complexity, you might need:
- Sound Technician: $1000/day (including equipment).
- Camera Assistant: $600-$800/day.
- Gaffer (Lighting): $850/day.
- Runner: $250/day.
- Hair & Makeup Artist: $900/day.
Equipment
While we include standard equipment in our daily filming rate, specialized gear can enhance production quality:
- Standard Gear: Included in the filming rate ($3000/day):
- One Sony FX3 cameras
- Tripods, LED panels, softboxes, radio mics, and boom mic
- Add-Ons:
- Gimbal with additional Sony FX3: $300/day
- Dana Dolly track system: $300/day
- Arri Alexa Mini camera: $500/day (plus lenses: $300-$450/day)
- Wireless monitoring: $150/day
- Steadicam operator: $800-$1,000/day
Graphics and Animation
Graphics can range from simple titles to complex animations:
- Basic Titles and Captions: $500 (half-day work).
- Animated Charts or Maps: $1,000 (2 days).
Editing
Editing typically takes one day per minute of finished video. This includes syncing audio, reviewing footage, and creating multiple cuts.
- Editor: $1000/day.
Additional Costs
- Voiceover: $600 for a home studio read; $1,200 for a studio session.
- Royalty-Free Music: $150 per track (ensure worldwide, perpetual rights).
- Stock Footage: $49-$250 per clip (depending on quality).
- Insurance, Travel, and Catering: Plan for these additional expenses based on your project’s scope.
Partnering with the Right Production Company
Choosing a production partner with the experience and expertise to manage logistics, equipment, and crew ensures a smooth and efficient process. At Lockhouse Studios, we pride ourselves on delivering high-end content with reliability and professionalism. Whether you need a simple shoot or a full-scale production, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Let’s talk.
*All rates are subject to change and are subject to change based on availability, individual crew rates, project turnaround, inflation/costs and project scope.