Ever found yourself scratching your head over, analysing your video production costs?
No worries, you are not alone.
So, what exactly are you paying for when you commission a video?
Whether it's a promotional video or a corporate reel, you need to know where your hard-earned is going, right?
We’ll walk you through the essential elements, like planning, filming and editing, which determine the price tag of your video production project.
So without further ado, let’s understand the know-how to budget like a boss and get the most for your buck.
How Video Production Estimates Are Created?
The cost of a video depends on several factors: how many experts are involved in planning, shooting, and editing; their daily fees; the equipment used; props; the location (a studio or another spot); and the actors or presenters.
Want to know what this could cost you?
We've rounded up some rough estimates from our latest survey to give you a clearer picture.
After years of experience in the video production industry, you can trust our data and insights:
Creative Development & Pre-production
Let’s start with the blueprint phase: creative development & pre-production.
It’s where the magic begins.
Director
Day Rate: £500–£1000; some directors opt for a flat-rate percentage of the total project fee between 5–10%.
For any video production, the director is the creative captain of the ship. The director crafts the narrative arc and oversees the creative development.
Producer
Day Rate: £500–£1000; similar to directors, some producers can charge between 5–10%.
The producer is the logistical wizard of the project who manages everything from the ground up. The role involves hiring and coordinating the crew and handling all the paperwork and permissions.
In smaller-scale video projects, the roles of producer and director can merge.
Production
Now let’s step into the production stage, where all the planned elements come to life on set.
Director of Photography (DOP)
Day Rate: £650–£2,000
The DOP crucially important in creating the visual identity of your video. Their expertise in lighting, colour and contrast enhances the aesthetic quality and impacts the narrative's mood and tone.
Lighting Camera Operator
Day Rate: £550–£850
Ideal for mid-tier projects which don't need a full DOP and camera crew, the lighting camera operator steps in to take charge. They handle the camera work and lighting to ensure each shot matches the mood and style of the project.
Videographer
Day Rate: £450–£650
A videographer is your all-in-one solution for smaller and flexible shoots. They handle the camerawork, lighting, and the sound. If you have a fast-paced, "run-and-gun" project, a videographer is pitch perfect for the task.
Production Assistant
Day Rate: £250–£400
The production assistant is the backbone of on-set operations. What are their duties? They have to welcome talent, organise catering and manage the filming location.
Sound Recordist
Day Rate: £450–£700
A sound recordist is important to capture the audio landscape of your project. Their expertise ensures that every piece of dialogue, ambient noise and necessary sound effect is recorded.
Drone Operator
Day Rate: £600–£1200, with half-day rates commonly available
The drone operator brings a bird’s-eye view to your production. They help deliver high-quality aerial footage which adds a dramatic, cinematic angle to your video. They also help to acquire necessary permits for each location to ensure everything is captured legally and safely.
Talent
Using your employees or partners can be a cost-effective choice regarding talent on screen. However, they have to sign a release form to secure usage rights for their imagery.
But why?
It helps you continue to use the footage, even if they later part ways with your organisation.
Actor
Day Rate: £250–£500+
The rate typically includes a 10% agency fee for actors cast via local talent agencies.
Presenter
Day Rate: £250–£500+
Many actors often double as presenters, making them versatile choices for both roles.
Models
Day Rate: £250–£1250
While specialist models can be quite expensive, many actors and presenters also work as models, offering a cost-effective solution for multiple roles.
Extras (Background Artists)
Day Rate: £80–£150
Known formally as background artists, extras are essential for adding a lifelike presence to scenes, helping to create a more immersive and realistic setting.
Post-production
Once filming wraps up, we move into the crucial post-production phase.
Voiceover
£250–£500 per voiceover
A voiceover artist adds a narrated touch to your video with essential commentary or storytelling. It's important to clarify usage rights to ensure you can use the voiceover without restrictions.
Video Editor
£450–£650 per day
The video editor plays a pivotal role in shaping the final product. They sift through all the raw footage and craft a coherent and engaging narrative by deciding what to keep and trim.
Animator
£500–£750 per day
Animators bring static images to life and create everything from infographics and character animations to other visual elements which help clarify complex concepts and enhance the story visually.
Music
£50–£200 per piece
When selecting music, you must include a global license which lasts indefinitely. Without the license, you might face additional fees if you need to use the music on different platforms or after certain periods, such as 5 years.
Videographer Prices
Hiring a videographer is more straightforward as it involves just one person with a clear day rate. To calculate the total cost for your project, simply multiply the day rate by the number of days the project will take.
Filming
£550–£750 per day
The higher rate reflects the need for more expensive equipment and technical skills required during the filming process.
Editing
£450–£550 per day
The editing phase requires a slightly lower rate as it involves less equipment, though it still requires a keen eye for detail and strong storytelling skills.
Prices for Video Outputs
Determining the cost of video production for specific outputs can vary significantly. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs for various types of video outputs, each typically lasting between 1–2 minutes:
Product Video
£3000–£5000
Promotional Video
£4000–£15,000+
2D Animation Video
£4000–£15,000+
Explainer Video
£4k - £10k
Motion Graphics Video
£3000–£5000
3D Animation Video
£5000–£15,000
TV Advert Video Production
£10,000–£500,000
(the typical tv advert production is £271k, according to Televisual Magazine) this is just for production and organisations typically spend 10% of the project budget on production and the rest on media ie buying airtime slots on TV)
Brand Film
£5000–£15,000+
Lifestyle Video
£4000–£7000
Corporate Video
£5000–£15,000+
Interview/Testimonial Video
£3000–£5000
Website Banner Video
£3000–£4000
Recruitment Video
£3000–£5000
Music Video
£3500–£15,000+
Event Highlights
£2500-£5000
This refers to quick shots of the event (typically 1 day) without the full events or on-the-ground sound
Event Video (Audio Visual)
£5000–£15,000+
This refers to the entirety of the event being filmed and edited (typically with the presentation slides being added after too)
Training/Instructional/E-learning Video
£5000–£10,000 (typically much longer than 1-2 minutes)
Charity Video
£3000–£15,000+
Social Media Video
Typically refers to the above costs as these videos also often circulate on social platforms.
…But these costs can vary depending on the intricacies of the project, the reputation of the video production company and general market forces.
Apart from these factors, there are other aspects you can’t ignore.
Other Things to Watch Out For
While going ahead with video production, it's important to keep an eye on several often-overlooked aspects which can influence both the project's scope and its budget:
Usage Rights
It's important to understand the intended use of your video, as rights can vary depending on where and how long the content will be broadcast or displayed.
Whether it’s for a closed platform, like a subscription-based training site, or a nationwide TV campaign, the duration and geographic reach can impact costs.
Always aim for global and perpetual rights to avoid future expenses or limitations.
Editing Amends
The video editing process includes a set number of revisions.
The industry standard allows for two rounds of changes per edit.
However, some providers may apply stricter limits or additional charges for further revisions.
Social Media Versions
Preparing distinct versions of a video for various social media platforms adds up to additional charges.
These fees usually reflect the extra time and resources needed to adapt your content to different formats and specifications.
Music Rights
The complexities of music licensing are well-known, with requirements to clear rights for the recording, performance and lyrics.
To avoid lengthy and costly negotiations, you can use tracks from pre-cleared music libraries or engage a specialist service to handle licensing.
Fair Use
If your video serves a non-commercial, educational purpose, such as a documentary or news piece, you are eligible to use copyrighted materials under 'fair use' provisions.
This means you can use copyrighted works without the need for permission.
Talking about video production, have you finalised one yet?
Simply Thrilled Can Sort Your Video Production
At Simply Thrilled, we believe stunning video production shouldn’t blow your budget. We're here to surprise you with just how affordable our services can be.
What do we create?
Everything from corporate and promotional videos to explainers and animated pieces in both 2D and 3D.
That’s not it.
We can also help you create social media videos, charity spots, event highlights, TV adverts, brand films, music videos and product showcases.
So, let’s chat about your next project and find a solution which fits.
Choose Simply Thrilled for a video production experience which exceeds expectations every time.
