“How much does a video cost?” It’s often the first question we’re asked, and it’s a fair one. The honest answer is: it depends. Not to dodge the question, but because a corporate video can range from a short format shot in half a day to an ambitious film spread over several days. Here are the criteria that really make a budget vary, to help you prepare your project.
1. Preparation and writing
A film starts long before the shoot: discussions about your objectives, writing the message, location scouting, interview preparation, scheduling. The more complex the subject, the more important this phase becomes. It is also what determines the final quality.
2. Duration and number of shooting days
This is one of the most decisive items. Half a day in a single location doesn’t cost the same as several days spread across different sites. The number of sequences, speakers and trips between locations all come into play.
3. The crew involved
Depending on the project, a single videographer may be enough, or you may need a fuller crew: camera operator, assistant, sound engineer, director of photography, make-up artist… A simple interview doesn’t require the same resources as a staged commercial.
4. Equipment
Cinema cameras, lenses, lighting, stabilisers, slider, crane, drone: the equipment used directly affects the look of the image and the budget. What matters is choosing the equipment suited to the project, without oversizing.
5. Post-production
- Editing, which takes more or less time depending on the film’s length and complexity;
- Colour grading, which gives the image its visual identity;
- Sound mixing and music (royalty-free or licensed);
- Graphic design, animations and subtitles;
- The planned rounds of review and approval.
6. Variations
A single shoot can yield a main film, short versions, vertical formats for social media, translated versions or photos. Planning these variations from the start costs far less than adding them afterwards.
The right budget is neither the lowest nor the highest: it’s the one that matches your objectives precisely.
How to prepare your quote request
To get a fair, comparable quote, prepare a few elements:
- the video’s objective and target audience;
- the distribution channels you have in mind;
- the approximate duration you want;
- the locations and people to be filmed;
- your schedule and, if possible, an indicative budget range;
- examples of videos you like.
One-off film or year-round partnership?
If you need regular content, a year-round partnership often lets us pool shoots and optimise your overall budget, while guaranteeing a consistent visual identity.
At that dog, every quote is tailor-made after an initial conversation, so we can offer the option best suited to your project and your means.
A content project for your company?
Let’s talk: we’ll suggest a format suited to your objectives and your budget.