"How much does video production cost?" depends on the type of video, quality level, length, and whether you hire a freelancer or agency. Costs range from a few hundred dollars for simple social clips to tens of thousands—or more—for broadcast commercials and documentaries. This guide breaks down video production pricing by format, production phase, and what drives cost, so you can budget realistically and get the most from your investment.
Key Takeaways:
- Video production costs $500–$5K (social media) to $50,000+ per minute (high-end commercial)
- Pre-production, production, and post-production each consume 10–40% of budget; phase allocation varies by project type
- Length, quality tier, locations, talent, animation vs. live action, and revision rounds all drive cost
- Hidden costs—music licensing, talent usage rights, re-edits, platform reformatting—can add 15–25% to your total
- Define scope, deliverables, and revision rounds in writing before signing
- Match your budget to your goals: basic social vs. polished explainer vs. broadcast-ready commercial
Video Production Cost Overview by Type
| Video Type | Typical Range | Per-Minute (approx) | |------------|---------------|----------------------| | Social media content (short clips, UGC-style) | $500–$5,000 | $200–$2,000 | | Explainer / corporate video | $3,000–$15,000 | $1,000–$5,000 | | Commercial (regional) | $10,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$25,000 | | Commercial (national/broadcast) | $50,000–$200,000+ | $15,000–$50,000+ | | Documentary / long-form | $20,000–$100,000+ | $2,000–$10,000 | | Event coverage | $2,000–$15,000 | $500–$3,000 | | Animated explainer | $3,000–$25,000 | $2,000–$8,000 |
These ranges reflect full-service production (concept through delivery). DIY or hybrid approaches (you provide footage, agency edits) cost less but require more involvement.
Cost Breakdown by Production Phase
Understanding where budget goes helps you negotiate scope and prioritize.
| Phase | Typical % of Budget | What's Included | |-------|---------------------|-----------------| | Pre-production | 10–15% | Creative brief, concept, script, storyboard, casting, location scouting, permits | | Production | 30–40% | Crew, equipment, talent, location, filming days | | Post-production | 30–40% | Editing, color grading, sound design, music, motion graphics | | Distribution | 10–15% | Platform-specific reformatting, captions, optimization, delivery |
Note: Simple projects (single-day shoot, minimal post) skew more toward production. Complex projects (multiple locations, heavy VFX, animation) skew more toward pre- and post-production.
Pre-Production
- Creative concept and script
- Storyboard or shot list
- Talent casting (if needed)
- Location scouting and permits
- Production schedule and call sheets
- Wardrobe and props (if applicable)
Skipping or rushing pre-production leads to costly reshoots and re-edits. Good pre-pro reduces surprises during production.
Production
- Crew (director, DP, sound, gaffer, etc.)
- Camera and lighting equipment
- Talent fees (actors, spokespeople)
- Location fees and permits
- Travel and accommodations (if applicable)
- Catering and craft services
Production is the most variable phase—adding a day, upgrading equipment, or hiring union talent can significantly increase cost.
Post-Production
- Offline and online editing
- Color grading
- Sound design and mix
- Music licensing or composition
- Motion graphics and VFX
- Revisions (typically 2–3 rounds included)
Extra revision rounds beyond the agreed scope are often billed at $100–$300/hour.
Distribution
- Platform-specific versions (16:9, 9:16, 1:1)
- Captions and subtitles
- Compression and delivery specs
- Upload and optimization
Reformatting for multiple platforms can add $500–$3,000 depending on the number of versions.
What Drives Video Cost?
| Factor | Impact | |--------|--------| | Length | Longer videos cost more, but per-minute cost often decreases for long-form (amortized setup) | | Quality level | Consumer < broadcast < cinematic. Higher quality means better equipment, crew, and post | | Locations | Multiple locations add travel, setup time, and permits | | Talent | Union talent, celebrities, or specialized spokespeople add significant cost | | Animation vs. live action | Animation has high fixed cost (design, rigging) but no location or talent. Live action scales with shoot days | | Music licensing | Stock music: $50–$500. Custom composition: $1,000–$10,000+. Broadcast clearance can be 5–10x more | | Revision rounds | 2–3 rounds are standard. Extra rounds billed hourly or as change orders | | Rush timeline | Compressed deadlines add 25–50% or more | | Specialized needs | Drone, Steadicam, VFX, green screen, multiple cameras add cost |
Per-Minute Pricing Benchmarks by Quality Tier
| Tier | Description | Per-Minute Range | |------|-------------|------------------| | Basic | Simple setups, minimal crew, stock music | $500–$1,500 | | Professional | Polished corporate, multiple setups, custom music | $1,500–$5,000 | | Premium | Broadcast quality, high production value | $5,000–$15,000 | | Top-tier | National commercials, documentaries, cinematic | $15,000–$50,000+ |
Per-minute is a rough benchmark—a 30-second commercial can cost more than a 5-minute corporate video because of higher production value per second.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Music Licensing
- Stock music (standard use): $50–$500 per track
- Stock music (broadcast): $500–$5,000+ per track
- Custom composition: $1,000–$10,000+
- Popular or licensed songs: $5,000–$50,000+ (often prohibitive)
Usage rights (web vs. broadcast vs. forever) affect price. Clarify scope with your producer.
Talent Usage Rights
Talent fees often cover limited use (e.g., web and social for 1 year). Extended use—broadcast, perpetuity, new markets—requires additional buyouts. Budget 20–50% more for extended rights if needed.
Re-Edits and Change Orders
Scope creep in post-production is common. Extra revision rounds, new cuts, or format changes beyond the agreement are typically billed at $100–$300/hour. Define revision rounds in the contract.
Platform-Specific Reformatting
One master edit ≠ one deliverable. Vertical (9:16), square (1:1), and horizontal (16:9) versions for different platforms add editing time. Budget $200–$800 per additional format.
Archival and B-Roll
Stock footage or licensed b-roll can add $200–$2,000 depending on source and usage. Custom b-roll shoots add full production cost.
Travel
If the shoot requires travel, budget for flights, lodging, and per diem. This can add 10–30% for distant locations.
How to Get the Most From Your Video Budget
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Write a clear brief: Define audience, goals, key messages, and success metrics. A tight brief reduces revision rounds and scope creep.
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Lock the script early: Script changes during production are expensive. Finalize before filming.
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Limit locations: Fewer locations mean less setup time, travel, and cost. Maximize what you can capture per location.
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Plan deliverables upfront: If you need 5 platform versions, scope them from the start. Adding formats later costs more.
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Define revision rounds: 2–3 rounds is standard. Specify what a "round" includes (e.g., one full feedback pass). Extra rounds = extra cost.
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Use stock where it makes sense: Stock music, b-roll, or motion templates can stretch budget when custom isn't critical.
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Consider hybrid approaches: Provide your own footage for a sizzle or testimonial montage; agency handles editing only. Cuts production cost significantly.
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Get multiple quotes: Compare 3–5 producers with similar portfolios. Scope should be comparable—apples to apples.
Real-World Cost Examples
Example 1: Social media clips for a small business
5–10 short clips (15–30 sec each), simple setups, stock music. Freelancer or small agency: $1,500–$4,000 total.
Example 2: Corporate explainer video
2–3 minute explainer, single spokesperson, office location, 2-day shoot, custom music. Agency: $8,000–$15,000.
Example 3: Regional TV commercial
30-second spot, 2 locations, professional talent, broadcast delivery. Agency: $25,000–$50,000.
Example 4: Animated product explainer
90-second 2D animation, custom design and voiceover. Agency: $8,000–$20,000.
Example 5: Documentary-style brand story
5–10 minute piece, 3–5 locations, interview + b-roll, cinematic quality. Agency: $40,000–$100,000+.
Red Flags in Video Production Proposals
- Vague deliverables—"Video for social" could mean one clip or ten. Specify length, formats, and number of cuts.
- No revision policy—Clarify how many rounds are included and the cost of additional rounds.
- Unclear rights—Who owns the footage? Can you use it for other purposes? Get usage rights in writing.
- No milestone schedule—Timeline with key dates (concept approval, script lock, rough cut, final) protects both parties.
- Music and talent not specified—Budget for licensing. "We'll figure it out" often means expensive surprises.
- Too cheap for the scope—Very low bids often reflect inexperience, cut corners, or offshore production with quality risk.
Key Takeaways
- Video production costs $500–$5K for simple social content to $50,000+ per minute for high-end commercial work. Type, quality, length, and format drive price.
- Pre-production (10–15%), production (30–40%), post-production (30–40%), and distribution (10–15%) each consume budget. Phase allocation varies by project.
- Length, quality, locations, talent, animation vs. live action, music, and revision rounds drive cost. Define scope clearly.
- Hidden costs—music licensing, talent usage rights, re-edits, platform reformatting—can add 15–25%. Clarify what's included.
- Maximize budget with a clear brief, locked script, limited locations, defined deliverables, and explicit revision rounds.
- Get multiple quotes with comparable scope. Match investment to goals—basic social vs. polished explainer vs. broadcast-ready commercial.