Video Production Cost Calculator Tool

Do you have a concept and storyboard in place?

Pre-production is the most imporant phase of video production. If you don't have the right concept, script and storyboard in place it doesn't matter how well you film and edit your project. 'Creative' is never the goal. 'Creative' is a tool you use to engage your audience and ultimately achieve your objective. You start the production process by developing an idea or concept that helps you achieve your objective. You then build a script and you build a storyboard to explain what happens throughout the video. What are the important elements, situations, actions, text, animations, conversations, special effects, etc. that happen during the video? All of this should be outlined in detail in the storyboard. The storyboard is where you validate your idea, your script and everything you plan on showing in the video with your customer before you start production.

How large is the production / project management team on this project?

Some productions are small and may only require one or two people. Others require large teams with specialized skills to carry out specialized tasks. Video projects have a lot of moving parts and someone needs to coordinate all of the required activities. It must be clear from the start who ownes this process. Setting up planning meetings, project management, acquiring permits and permissions, scheduling crew, coordinating on-camera personnel, scheduling and managing milestones, etc. - all of these tasks require coordination and someone has to be identified as the owner of all of these activities.

What type of film crew do you need for your shoot?

How many people do you need to shoot your video? What camera, lighting and audio equipment will they require? What skills and what support crew are needed to do the job right? There are two critical elements that determine the success of any shoot: The expertise of the entire crew and time. A top notch crew will perfrom miracles if they have enough time to do their jobs properly. On smaller productions time is always a factor - budgets are low and the client is often not willing to pay for the time it takes to do the job well. On larger projects budgets are often greater and their is more lattitude to bring in the best people for the job and allow them the time to do the job properly.

How many days of shooting are required?

How many scenes / set-ups, how many different locations are you shooting at and what's involved with each scene. Shooting days are always a negotiation as production teams want more time and the client wants the project completed done in less time.

Do you require special production equipment?

Your budget and the complexity of the shoot will determine what equipment is required for your video. Do you need a jib, a track-dolly, a crane, specialized lighting, or any other type of specialized gear to get the shots you require. Most of thes tools also require special handling.

Do you need a studio or other controlled shooting space that you cannot provide?

Where are you shooting? Do you need a sound studio or a closed-set? Are you shooting against a green or white screen? Are you shooting on-location somewhere? What location suits the script?

Do you require a teleprompter and operator?

"A teleprompter can save a shoot. Even the most experienced speaker can be intimidated by lights and camera. It's true that you can often tell when someone is reading from a teleprompter but that may still be preferable to the agony of a shoot spiraling out of control because the CEO can't remember his lines."

Do you require on-camera talent?

Do you need to hire professional presenters, actors or models to improve the quality of your presentation? Not everyone is good on camera. You may need to make difficult decisions about who should represent your company. In a broadcast commercial quite often it is not someone in your company. Even in a corporate video you may decide that hiring outside talent is the best choice.

How many days of shooting are needed for talent?

Your talent may or may not be needed for shooting day. A well managed shoot can save everyone time and money.

Do you require hair, make-up or wardrobe for talent

On lower cost projects a brush and a container of neutral blush (to remove an oily or sweaty appearance on the subject's face) can go a long way. If you have both the budget and the need then it is a good idea to hire a Hair and Makeup expert to help ensure your subjects look great on camera. It's also a good idea to have them watch the shoot to ensure continuity. On higher-end productions wardrobe is included to ensure the proper look.

Location costs and permissions.

Depending on what you are shooting you may want to pay for the use of a specific location. While this option may seem like an extravagance, it could make the difference between a dull video and an engaging video. A talking head (all things being equal) is more interesting to watch if shot against an interesting backdrop. Contact your local film office - they should have a list of possible locations to shoot in your area for a fee. Costs range considerably - you can pay your local coffee shop a couple bucks to shoot during a quiet time or you can get access to a local museum for thousands of dollars... or you can pay to close down your town at rush-hour if your budget allows.

How many days of editing are required?

Editing time is the most difficult thing to estimate in a video project. The ratio of shooting time to editing time can be one-to-one or it can be one-to-twenty or more depending on how the video was shot, how much footage was shot, what type of colour grading is required, how long the finished piece is, how many possible client changes might be needed and a host of other variables.

Are special animation or special effects required?

Some video productions are 100% animation and some require no special effects or animation. High quality animation and effects can be very expensieve to produce.

Is music required for your project?

Music is the single most underestimated and under-rated element of any video production. Music set's the tone, the pace and the mood for the entire video. Music tells you how to feel about the video. Music is very improtant.

Is voice-over required for this project?

Professional voice-over can add a great deal of substance and professionalism to your video.

Is specialized audio work required?

Beyond recorded voice (either live or voice-over) do you need foley work or other types of specialized music, audio effects or over-dubs?

Stock footage, photos, illustrations and graphics.

Do you need specialized media to supplement your video. Stock photos, stock video, specialized illustrations or graphics may be required to complete the video.

Do you have a concept and storyboard in place?

Pre-production is the most imporant phase of video production. If you don't have the right concept, script and storyboard in place it doesn't matter how well you film and edit your project. 'Creative' is never the goal. 'Creative' is a tool you use to engage your audience and ultimately achieve your objective. You start the production process by developing an idea or concept that helps you achieve your objective. You then build a script and you build a storyboard to explain what happens throughout the video. What are the important elements, situations, actions, text, animations, conversations, special effects, etc. that happen during the video? All of this should be outlined in detail in the storyboard. The storyboard is where you validate your idea, your script and everything you plan on showing in the video with your customer before you start production.

How large is the production / project management team on this project?

Some productions are small and may only require one or two people. Others require large teams with specialized skills to carry out specialized tasks. Video projects have a lot of moving parts and someone needs to coordinate all of the required activities. It must be clear from the start who ownes this process. Setting up planning meetings, project management, acquiring permits and permissions, scheduling crew, coordinating on-camera personnel, scheduling and managing milestones, etc. - all of these tasks require coordination and someone has to be identified as the owner of all of these activities.

What type of film crew do you need for your shoot?

How many people do you need to shoot your video? What camera, lighting and audio equipment will they require? What skills and what support crew are needed to do the job right? There are two critical elements that determine the success of any shoot: The expertise of the entire crew and time. A top notch crew will perfrom miracles if they have enough time to do their jobs properly. On smaller productions time is always a factor - budgets are low and the client is often not willing to pay for the time it takes to do the job well. On larger projects budgets are often greater and their is more lattitude to bring in the best people for the job and allow them the time to do the job properly.

What level of video direction is required for the shoot?

Who is guiding the vision of the video? Who is in charge of getting the right shots that help tell the story that is your storyboard. Is it your cameraman, your client, a marketing person or a video director. Your budget will determine who plays this role but someone has to be responsible. If you have the budget an experienced director is the best investement you can make after you have created your storyboard.

How many days of shooting are required?

How many scenes / set-ups, how many different locations are you shooting at and what's involved with each scene. Shooting days are always a negotiation as production teams want more time and the client wants the project completed done in less time.

Do you require special production equipment?

Your budget and the complexity of the shoot will determine what equipment is required for your video. Do you need a jib, a track-dolly, a crane, specialized lighting, or any other type of specialized gear to get the shots you require. Most of thes tools also require special handling.

Do you need a studio or other controlled shooting space that you cannot provide?

Where are you shooting? Do you need a sound studio or a closed-set? Are you shooting against a green or white screen? Are you shooting on-location somewhere? What location suits the script?

Do you require a teleprompter and operator?

"A teleprompter can save a shoot. Even the most experienced speaker can be intimidated by lights and camera. It's true that you can often tell when someone is reading from a teleprompter but that may still be preferable to the agony of a shoot spiraling out of control because the CEO can't remember his lines."

Do you require on-camera talent?

Do you need to hire professional presenters, actors or models to improve the quality of your presentation? Not everyone is good on camera. You may need to make difficult decisions about who should represent your company. In a broadcast commercial quite often it is not someone in your company. Even in a corporate video you may decide that hiring outside talent is the best choice.

How many days of shooting are needed for talent?

Your talent may or may not be needed for shooting day. A well managed shoot can save everyone time and money.

Do you require hair, make-up or wardrobe for talent?

On lower cost projects a brush and a container of neutral blush (to remove an oily or sweaty appearance on the subject's face) can go a long way. If you have both the budget and the need then it is a good idea to hire a Hair and Makeup expert to help ensure your subjects look great on camera. It's also a good idea to have them watch the shoot to ensure continuity. On higher-end productions wardrobe is included to ensure the proper look.

Location costs and permissions.

Depending on what you are shooting you may want to pay for the use of a specific location. While this option may seem like an extravagance, it could make the difference between a dull video and an engaging video. A talking head (all things being equal) is more interesting to watch if shot against an interesting backdrop. Contact your local film office - they should have a list of possible locations to shoot in your area for a fee. Costs range considerably - you can pay your local coffee shop a couple bucks to shoot during a quiet time or you can get access to a local museum for thousands of dollars... or you can pay to close down your town at rush-hour if your budget allows.

Do you require extras for the shoot?

Depending on the mood and style of your video you may want to pay people to be in the background. A scene can look rather empty or unnatural without anyone in it.

Do you require craft services for talent and crew?

If you are working on a union shoot there are specific rules set out as to how you feed your crew. Even if you're on a tight budget it's a good idea to keep your team well fueled.

Do you require props, gear or staging for the shoot?

Aside from video production equipment are there other special props or pieces of equipment that need to be included as part of the costs? Do you need a special backdrop, rental furniture, a plane or helicopter for an aerial shot or specialized equipment for the shoot? These all have to be factored in to the cost of your production.

Do you require special transportation services for your shoot?

The more people and the more gear you use the more likely you are to require special transportation. Moving people and kit efficiently between different shooting setups might make the difference between a decent shoot and a great shoot.

How many days of editing are required?

Editing time is the most difficult thing to estimate in a video project. The ratio of shooting time to editing time can be one-to-one or it can be one-to-twenty or more depending on how the video was shot, how much footage was shot, what type of colour grading is required, how long the finished piece is, how many possible client changes might be needed and a host of other variables.

Are special animation or special effects required?

Some video productions are 100% animation and some require no special effects or animation. High quality animation and effects can be very expensieve to produce.

Is music required for your project?

Music is the single most underestimated and under-rated element of any video production. Music set's the tone, the pace and the mood for the entire video. Music tells you how to feel about the video. Music is very improtant.

Is voice-over required for this project?

Professional voice-over can add a great deal of substance and professionalism to your video.

Is specialized audio work required?

Beyond recorded voice (either live or voice-over) do you need foley work or other types of specialized music, audio effects or over-dubs?

Stock footage, photos, illustrations and graphics.

Do you need specialized media to supplement your video. Stock photos, stock video, specialized illustrations or graphics may be required to complete the video.