How Much Does Videography Cost?

Videography pricing isn’t straightforward. There are a number of factors that can influence the cost of a video project. Today we’re going to take a look at these factors and discuss ways in which you can get the best possible price by working with your videography studio towards a mutually beneficial solution.

What medium will the video be?

Will the video be real-world videography? Perhaps you want motion graphics or 3D animation? The answer to this question will determine what sort of pricing you’re looking at for your finished product.

3D animation is generally a bit cheaper than real-world videography, but not always. Real-world filming requires expenses such as hiring costs, scouting, actors, etc. That said, if your real-world project is fairly simple, sometimes the cost of 3D or motion graphics will surpass it.

When shopping for video services, have an idea of what sort of medium you want your video to be in. This will allow your chosen studio to better quote the work.

How long is the video duration?

The duration of the video will impact the cost of your project. Longer videos will, of course, cost more. That said, sometimes the return on investment of longer-form videos is worth the upfront price of getting them made.

Where in the process is the studio coming in?

This will be determined when you draft the brief of your project. Are you after a studio to build a piece of content end-to-end or do you already have certain elements covered?

Ask yourself:

●      Do you have a strategy?

●      Do you have a script?

●      Do you have storyboards?

●      Do you have concepts?

●      Do you have an editor?

If the answer to any of these is yes, then your budget for hiring a video studio should lessen accordingly.

What quality does the video have to be?

Does your video need to be 1080? 4k? 8k? The quality of the resultant file will play a part in how costly the project is because the production studio will need to use different technology to achieve what you want. You should have a clear idea of what quality you want your video to be when you enter discussions.

Is this an on-location shoot?

If your project is a video shoot on location, this can up the ante in terms of expenses. You may need locations scouted, props obtained, or hair and makeup professionals hired. All of this can add up when it comes time to quote your project.

What’s your deadline?

If you have a particularly tight deadline, this can affect the pricing of the project. This is because people may need to work overtime on your project or prioritize your work over the work of other paying clients.

This is why it’s essential that you give yourself plenty of wiggle room when it comes to timing your project. The more time you allow for the production studio to do their job, the more cost-effective it will be for you.

How many changes are included?

Rounds of amends cost time and, of course, money. If you’re asking for half a dozen amends rounds, you’re going to have to pay more than a business with only three rounds, for example. This is where it’s important that you streamline your amends process – ensure all your amends are included per round and avoid staggering your feedback.

Be honest with your budget

You should always be upfront and honest with your budget. Most studios will work with you to find a solution that fits within your means. If you’re not upfront with your budget this can waste a lot of time and effort going back and forth. A videography business can’t read your mind and trying to play games to get a better deal will just result in frustration for all involved.

Videography pricing isn’t a menu

Ultimately, you can’t shop for videography services the way you would takeaway on a menu. There are a number of factors that go into pricing your video content. Your videography studio needs details of the overall scope to provide you with accurate pricing.

Now you know a little more about what goes into pricing videography content.

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