How much does it cost to make a video?
A good question, but the answer is never simple.
It's like asking how much it costs to build a house - there are just so many variables. For a house these include location, how many bedrooms, what it's made of, etc.
The cost of shooting a video can be broken into three parts.
1. Pre-production. The time taken to write a script or outline, plan where the video is to be shot, organising a crew, etc
2. The filming. The more time it takes to film, the more it costs. Its often cheaper to bring on-camera presenters or interviewees to the one location, rather than pay the cost of the crew travelling to lots of locations. Planning an efficient shooting schedule is key to keeping costs under control and coming in on budget.
3. Post-production. The more you shoot, the longer it takes to edit and hence more cost.
The pre-production phase is always the cheapest and just like building a house, well drawn up plans and schedules will mean a more efficient production process.
What do I do?
I start by asking some basic questions:
- Who is the video for? Is it for your clients, supporters, donors or everyone? Knowing who your audience is helps you to tailor the video accordingly.
- What do you want the audience to do after they've watched your video? Rush out and buy your product? Be better informed about options? Donate to support your cause? Your video should have one, or maybe two key messages at the most.
- How will people see your video? On your web site? On a DVD that you send them? On their smart phone or on TV? Again this helps make sure the video is suitable.
- Have you seen another video(s) that you like? This can be very helpful when explaining what you want your video to look like. (Although this can be dangerous as sometimes the production values of the one you like can be significant)
Once we have worked together on a plan, I'll then prepare a budget for approval. I usually then ask for a 10 percent deposit and then 50 percent of the balance on completion of filming with final balance on completion of the editing. If you want some more information - just get in touch.
