The #1 Question finally has an answer. Houston Video Production is here to help. Peek behind the curtain of a video cost and quote generator! It’s a self-guided educational tour of the many facets which go into creating a video and associated prices.
“How much does a corporate video cost?” is by far the most common question I hear when I produce a video in Houston. It’s a complex one to answer directly. Similar to asking “how much does a car cost,” there are factors to consider. A great piece of advice is to be wary of any company who blurts out a price before really understanding the question
How much does it cost to make a promotional video?
Even for the same client, every project is different. A 2 minute corporate overview video is not 4x the cost of a 30 second social media video, the same way a 30 minute webinar is not 15x more expensive.
I created this calculator so you can peek behind the curtain of what factors influence the cost of producing a video in Houston. You’ll notice some options influence cost more than others. You’ll see options your internal team may be able to handle, thereby reducing the cost!
There are broad ranges for each price as well because even within each option there is still some variance (do you need a $2000 DSLR with a $6000 lens or a $20,000 wireless camera with a $2000 lens).
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How much does it cost to make a video advertisement?
Whether or not you hire Houston Video Production to create your video, I offer this to you as an educational tool to try to price out different kinds of videos. There are of course a few other factors which can sometimes lower my rates:
- I offer bulk discounts to produce video for businesses in Houston to support content marketing campaigns. Five 30 second videos are cheaper than five individually priced 30 second videos.
- Rates can vary for rush jobs, flex-schedule jobs, and open-creative jobs.
- Video sees it’s true ROI when deployed with a digital marketing strategy to get it seen by your targeted audience. This calculator does not incorporate our award winning PPC or visibility campaign management.
So how much does it cost to make a video in Houston? The best way to answer your question is to give me a quick call to discuss your objectives and budgets. Consultations are free, and I’m always happy to help.
Video Production Cost Calculator
- Small Business Productions
Pre-Production
1. Do you require a concept, script, and storyboard?
Do you have a concept and storyboard in place?
Pre-production is the most important 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. The goal is usually to get the customer email, call, or click for more information. While others start with "let's just do this cool camera angle," we start with "why would a customer value your product." Then we build a script and storyboard to convey that answer throughout the video. We design around "how does this" angle, interview, footage, text, animation, special effects, etc. convey your objective. All of the visuals are consolidated in the storyboard, showing key components of what will be shown in the video with your customer before you start production. As your video gets more complex, a script and storyboard become more critical to avoid creating and assembling something different than you imagined.
2. Who manages the video scheduling and admin?
Does this project need someone dedicated project management?
Some productions are quick, requiring only one or two people for an adlib message. Other projects can have a lot of moving parts, with large teams of specialist requiring someone to coordinate all the required activities. This can be managed in-house or by our team, but it must be clear who owns the responsibilities for setting up planning meetings, project management, acquiring permits and permissions, hiring and scheduling crew, coordinating on-camera personnel, scheduling and managing milestones, etc.
Production
3. How large of a camera crew do you need?
How large of a camera crew do you need?
How many people do you need to shoot your video? What camera, lighting and audio equipment will they require? An interview can be filmed with a single camera, or from multiple angles (think a 60 minutes interview). When filming on-site b-roll at a facility, consider how much time you have to provide access to the facility. Filming with one camera can take twice as long as a with multiple cameras.
4. How many days of shooting are required?
How many days of shooting are required?
How many different filming locations will your project require? Consider the time to properly set up and breakdown equipment at each location, as well as the availability of the locations, scheduling the people on screen, and if the sun/weather restricts any timing. Trying to squeeze too much filming in too little time can result in rushed content, or the facility closing before all shots are available. On average, every minute on screen can require one hour on location.
5. Will you film in your office or do you need to rent a studio or location?
Will you film in your office or do you need to rent a studio or location?
Where do you plan to film? Many businesses film in their own facilities. But sometimes you need a unique location to suit the script. If you are recording interview/audio, consider how much background noise there may be. The noise from machinery, office foot traffic, etc may require you to rent a quiet room nearby.
6. Do you require a teleprompter?
Do you require a teleprompter?
Even the most experienced presenter can be intimidated by lights and camera. In video every movement is noticeable. You want to avoid filler words (um's, uh's, you know's) or eye movements are more obvious. For dialog and jargon heavy scripts, teleprompters can save the day. The delivery may not be as casual as an adlib answer, it may be preferable to an executive being on take 15. But that pales to scenarios when the executive needs to leave, but was also unable to deliver the script in the allotted time resulting rescheduling the entire shoot.
7. Do you require on-camera actors?
Do you require on-camera actors?
Who do you want to be on screen? Not every employee is good as the on-camera representative of the company. Also consider the target demographic for your video. If that person is a real customer, do you need to entice them? Professional actors, presenters, and models can improve the visual quality of your video and offer more scheduling flexibility. While hiring outside talent does cost, it is often far less than budgeting a salary employee or executive for 2, 3, or even 6 hours.
8. How many days of filming are needed for talent?
How many days of filming are needed for talent?
Your talent may or may not be needed for every day of filming. A well managed shoot can save everyone time and money.
Post-Production
9. How many days of editing are required?
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 color grading is required, how long the finished piece is, how many possible client changes might be needed and a host of other variables.
10. Are special animations or graphics required?
Are special animation or graphics required?
Some video productions are 100% 2d cartoon animation while others are 100% footage and interviews without animation. Many videos can contain a mix. High quality animated graphics or 3d effects can be very expensive and time consuming to create. These often require detailed storyboards to avoid go-backs.
11. Is music required for your project?
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.
12. Is voice-over required for this project?
Is voice-over required for this project?
Similar to actors, voiceover can be a nuanced skill. Recording employees can be convenient, but voice-over actors can offer you broad selections on tone, accent, delivery, and energy adding substance and professionalism to your video. This is especially beneficial if you wish to deliver your video in multiple languages.
Pre-Production
1. Do you have a concept and storyboard in place?
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.
2. How much project management and scheduling is required?
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.
Production
3. What type of film crew do you need for your shoot?
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.
4. How many days of shooting are required?
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.
5. Do you require special production equipment?
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.
6. Do you need a studio or other controlled shooting space that you cannot provide?
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?
7. Do you require a teleprompter and operator?
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."
8. Do you require on-camera talent?
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.
9. How many days of shooting is needed for talent?
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.
10. Do you require hair, make-up or wardrobe for talent?
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.
11. Location and Permission costs
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.
Post-Production
12. How many days of editing are required?
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.
13. Is there special animation or special effects required?
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.
14. Is music required for your project?
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.
15. Is voice-over required for this project?
Is voice-over required for this project?
Professional voice-over can add a great deal of substance and professionalism to your video.
Pre-Production
1. Do you have a concept and storyboard in place?
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.
2. How large is the production / project management team on this project?
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.
Production
3. What type of film crew do you need for your shoot?
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.
4. What level of video direction is required for the shoot?
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.
5. How many days of shooting are required?
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.
6. Do you require special production equipment?
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.
7. Do you need a studio or other controlled shooting space that you cannot provide?
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?
8. Do you require a teleprompter and operator?
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."
9. Do you require on-camera talent?
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.
10. How many days of shooting is needed for talent?
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.
11. Do you require hair, make-up or wardrobe for talent?
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.
12. Location and Permission costs
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.
13. Do you require extras for the shoot?
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.
14. Do you require craft services for talent and crew?
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.
15. Do you require props, gear or staging for the shoot?
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.
16. Do you require special transportation services for your shoot?
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.
Post-Production
17. How many days of editing are required?
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.
18. Is there special animation or special effects required?
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.
19. Is music required for your project?
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.
20. Is voice-over required for this project?
Is voice-over required for this project?
Professional voice-over can add a great deal of substance and professionalism to your video.
Video Production Cost Range:
$0 - $0
Concept or storyboard
$0 - $0
