VIDEO PRODUCTION PRICING

Video production pricing can vary a great deal from project to project, but ultimately the same components are considered for each proposal. The list is long, but in order to be comprehensive, it has to be. Video production is a very involved process. In fact, we usually compare it to building a house.

Research - Includes fact-finding, location scouting, tracking down experts, locating talent, and all the "footwork" and coordination needed to make the production go smoothly.

Scriptwriting - Sometimes the script almost writes itself, other times, scriptwriting is the most difficult part of the whole production. In any case, the script is the blueprint for the rest of the video and as a result, is probably the most critical component.

Storyboarding - Storyboarding is a helpful component for the production team. A storyboard is a series of still frames - often hand drawn like a cartoon - that represent the key shots of the video. It is an inexpensive way for visual ideas to be communicated before the expensive production process begins. The cinematographer or director of photography will often reference this during production so he can match the "vision" of the creative team.

Voice Talent (Narrator) - If your video is narrated, somebody has to speak in to the microphone. We recommend professional voice talent be obtained. It can make all the difference!

Acting Talent - Sometimes we will need acting talent to perform a particular task or speak lines of dialogue in front of the camera. Perhaps your video will have an on-screen "host" instead of just a narrator.

Production Time - This is where the rubber meets the road. Lights! Camera! Action! Production is when the video is actually being recorded to tape.

Production Staff - More complex productions will require some help. We often hire freelance professionals to help us with things like lighting, sound, and other production-related tasks.

Consumables - Consumables such as videotape, lamps, and batteries are considered.

Travel / Lodging / Meals / Expenses - If your production requires travel to obtain footage, there may be associated expenses like fuel, airline tickets, rental cars, hotels, food, and other similar expenses.

Location Fees - Some shoot locations may require us to obtain permits and/or pay fees to gain legal permission to record video on their property.

Equipment Rental - Your production may require specialized equipment - like a scissor lift or a helicopter - in order to obtain the desired footage.

Logging Footage - Once we've recorded all the video, we have to sort through it to find the best takes, transcribe interview sound bites, organize the clips, and other such tasks. We also record the video into the editing system computer.

Editing - This is the first place the video starts to look like a video. It starts with a "rough-cut" where clips are placed on the timeline in a rough state. As the project develops, the clips are carefully "trimmed" and the video starts to take on its final form.

Graphics - Graphics such as logos, fonts (text), and other elements are created and "composited" with the edited video.

Effects - Transitions between clips, color correction, and filters are added to the video.

Animation - Your production may need a 2-dimensional (2D) or 3D animation as a special visual effect, or to convey an idea that either can't be captured with a video camera or would be too dangerous or cost prohibitive to obtain otherwise.

Audio Sweetening - The audio elements are mixed and perfected.

Music Licensing - If your production has music, and you can't write and record it yourself, you're going to have to pay someone to do it for you. For cost-conscious clients, we usually use pre-packaged "royalty-free" or "rights-managed" music, but some clients prefer that a musician write a custom score just for them.

Export - This is where the video is converted to its final viewing format. Whether it is mastered to videotape, or to DVD, or to QuickTime, it has to be exported from the editing system.

DVD Authoring - If your project demands an elaborately menued or fully-interactive DVD, it has to be created from scratch.

Packaging - How are you going to package the disc for delivery to the viewer? Will it be in a plain envelope? Or do you want it packaged like a Hollywood movie with color photos and other goodies?

Delivery - Are you streaming your video over the internet? Or are you broadcasting it on national TV? It all affects how we get it to the end user.

So now you know what goes in to determining the cost of a video. It's a lot to digest, but we try to make it painless.

As an aside, it is typical in the video production industry to ask the client for 50% of the total estimated cost up front. This covers our out of pocket expenses to get "rolling" and reassures us that you are committed to the project. The remaining 50% is typically due upon delivery of the finished video. If the project is large or takes place over a number of months, we may ask for smaller payments to be scheduled along the way.

If your project merits it, we may have you sign a contract detailing the specifics of what we expect of each other.

No matter what, you can depend on us to clarify anything you don't understand before, during, and after the work.