You have a project coming up and you have an approved timeline and budget. Ready to do this? Well… not so fast. You realize there may be a few things you haven't quite thought out. Maybe it's your first company video, or maybe it's been a while since the last one. Either way, a video quote can feel like a black box until you know what's inside it. And the more you understand going in, the better your questions will be. Let's help you out with that.
What Goes Into Pricing?
The short answer? It depends. Corporate video costs vary by the size of the project, the logistics, and the timing. Video is hard to price from a set list. Agencies should first gather the details, gather the scope, and learn how the final product will be delivered. Only then can they give you an accurate quote. What typically goes into that quote is: materials, equipment, labor, transportation, everything! What good agencies usually do is provide a detailed invoice listing out exactly what they are charging and why they are charging it. That way you can look at everything that goes into your project and you can make an informed decision.
So what's actually on that list? Let's walk you through that, plus a little more.
The Hidden Costs
Before rushing into a project, it's important to dot every I and cross every T. What you may not realize is that pre-production comes at a cost. Every good video starts with a plan. The planning phase usually consists of the concept, the script, the storyboard, casting, and scheduling. Depending on your project, you may have provided an idea and unknowingly handed the pre-production to your production team. For example, we had a client that wanted to get an event filmed, and that was the extent of the information. They told us what they wanted, and it was up to us to figure out how to make it happen. What we did was calculate exactly what materials, equipment, and personnel we needed. The client didn't provide us with that information because they didn't know what they needed other than the fact they knew what they wanted to accomplish. Behind the scenes, we took time to coordinate with camera operators to assign them positions, designate them tasks, and provide a run of show for everyone involved. All that time spent in pre-production is billable, and those hours are variable since you can’t really quantify a plan for a shoot until you’re working toward it. If we hadn't done that pre-production the final deliverable may have suffered as a result. The best part of having an experienced team do the work for you is that you can be as involved or uninvolved as you'd like. Kinda nifty huh?
Think About The Final Deliverables
You know you need a video, but you should also consider everything you can get out of this video shoot. Do you only need one main video? Do you need a shorter cut for social media? Another version sized for TV? Each version sounds like a small task, but every new format and length takes more time to edit. With that in mind, it’s wise to make a full list of what you need before you ask for a quote. When you know exactly what you need from the start, your quote should cover it all. This way, you won't find out halfway through the project that the second version you need costs a little extra.
After the Cameras Stop Rolling
Post-production is where a lot of the work happens. It's the edit itself and everything that polishes it, from color and sound to graphics and captions.
Once you see the first cut, you'll probably have notes, and that's where changes come in. Most quotes cover a round or two. But what happens when after that first or second revision you still don’t have what you’re looking for? Some agencies only allow up to 1-2 revisions, and they’ll most likely adjust their final invoice based on subsequent revision requests. If you need your video quicker, tight deadlines mean potential overtime and expedited work.
Bonus Tips
Working with a lighter budget? Here are a few tips to get your production under budget:
- Shoot several videos in one day. It may be the single best way to save. One day of filming can feed weeks of posts.
- Stay in one place. Fewer locations means fewer setups, breakdowns and moves.
- Reuse what you have. If you already have good footage of your office, products or people, use it again in the next video. Capture extra b-roll while the camera's already rolling.
- Put your own people on camera. It saves on talent, and it feels more authentic.
- Keep it short. A shorter video usually costs less to make.
Ready to Plan Yours?
Now that you know what goes into the number, give Dark Rainbow Photo Video a call. Every business project starts with a free consultation, so we can understand what you need before anything is priced. Learn more about our video production for Dallas–Fort Worth businesses, or tell us about your project and we'll quote it.
Hiring a photographer too? Read our guide to photography pricing.