At Upswing, the question we get asked most often is “How much does a video cost?” That’s a fair question…and not always an easy one to answer.
Producing a video elicits a lot of emotions from our clients – excitement, because it’s fun to do; anticipation, because they’re so effective; and sometimes confusion, because budget and process can be a little mysterious.
We know it can be frustrating when there isn’t a sticker price for something you want, but because of the of the customized nature of producing a video, it’s really important to have a conversation about expectations to find out what’s most important to you – level of complexity, timeline, or budget.
If an agency gives you an up-front price for a video, you’re likely getting a cookie-cutter approach that’s won’t allow for much flexibility or the ability to customize your video. And if that works for you, great!
Our videos typically fall in the $25-$50k range, but of course, we also work on projects with much larger budgets.
High level, the main factors in determining cost are the level of complexity and timeline. A production with a multi-camera setup, custom graphics and pyrotechnics(!) will cost more than a simple half-day, one-camera shoot.
Some other things that can really raise the quality (and the price tag) include: a stylist to make sure everyone is looking their best, a custom music score to make sure we’re hitting the right emotional tone, and production equipment like dollies, drones, or special lights that make it look like it’s daytime even though we’re shooting at midnight.
Using professional talent can take your video to the next level, but will cost more than filming your own employees. You never really know how people are going to react once they get in front of a camera; but with pros, you never have to worry.
Finally, location can have a big effect as well. Obviously, it costs more to shoot at multiple sites across the country than inside your local factory or office; and some locations or studios require a fee.
All this being said, we’re always happy to work with your budget. If you supply a range up front, we’ll work with you to create the best possible video.
Let’s discuss — no strings attached. We’ll talk through your idea and provide a ballpark estimate, or talk about what we can do with your budget.
To view all episodes from our “On The Upswing” series, click here!