Video Production Costs: What to Expect from a Local Crew

A professionally created video is one of the most effective ways to tell your story, promote your business, or connect with your audience. However, one of the questions they ask most often is, “How Much Does a Video Crew Cost?” or “How much to hire a video production company?”

It depends on several factors, including location, experience level, equipment, and the type of video you require. If you are considering creating a short commercial, a corporate video, or even a promotional video, learning the local video shoot costs and prices is beneficial and will give you a better platform from which to budget.

This blog will explain how the cost of creating a video is broken down, and it’ll provide a rundown to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises when you hire a crew.

Factors That Affect Video Production Crew Costs

Before you determine the costs, it’s essential to understand exactly what goes into calculating the cost of a video crew in your region. Many factors determine the overall cost, including:

• Crew Size and Experience

A small crew typically consists of a videographer and an assistant, while a larger crew may include a director, producer, camera operators, lighting specialists, and sound technicians. Of course, crews are more expensive as they grow in size and experience.

• Type of Equipment

The technology used, including high-quality cameras, drones, stabilizers, lighting packages, and microphones, will all impact local video shoot pricing. Better equipment leads to better pictures, but increases the budget.

• Project Duration

The longer the shoot, the more expensive it becomes. Half-day is less costly than full-day businesses, and may also have hourly video production crew rates available for short projects.

• Editing and Post-Production

While filming is what many people are excited about, the editing process can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of the project. This is typically a significant portion of your video production budget.

• Location and Travel

If your shoot involves travel, access permits, or multiple locations, these costs will affect the overall video production crew rates.

Video Production Cost Breakdown

Here are the elements of a typical video production cost breakdown:

These figures will vary depending on the type of project and local rates.

Average Cost of a Local Video Production

The average cost of a video shoot for a local professional video can range from $1,500 to $10,000. For a short 1-2 minute promo video, small businesses may spend between $2000 – $3,000, but this would be on the low end, and corporate or commercial shoots will cost more.

The answer to the question “How Much Does a Video Crew Cost?” will be contingent on whether you hire freelancers or a full shop. Freelancers usually offer more affordable video production crew rates, although professional companies provide greater dependability, project management, and creativity.

Types of Videos & Average Production Cost

The video production cost breakdown and pricing structures for the desired type of content you are looking to create are vast. Here’s an overview:

Knowing the type of project you have will enable you to estimate the cost of hiring a video production company, allowing you to proceed with planning.

Why Traditional Agencies Overprice Video Production

Most traditional ad agencies rip off their clients when it comes to video production. This is due to additional layers of management, expensive office space, and outsourced production crews.

But when you’re working with a local, traditional video company like us, you receive clear pricing on local video shoots and direct access to the creative team. You only pay for what really matters — the talent, the equipment, and the time spent to make your video a magical one.

When working with independent or dedicated teams, you can enjoy better video production crew rates without sacrificing quality.

Cost Breakdown: From Pre-Production to Post-Production

And now that you know the video production cost breakdown one step at a time, it’s possible to learn where your money is going:

• Pre-Production

This phase consists of scriptwriting, planning, and scheduling. It’s typically around10-20 % of the total amount you’ve paid to your video production crew.

• Production

This is when filming happens. Charges here are contingent on the cost of hiring a video crew — including director rates, camera rental costs, lighting, and sound.

• Post-Production

This includes editing, adding attributes to, and finishing the design itself. The process takes days or even weeks, depending on the complexity, and accounts for approximately 30–40% of the total cost to create a video.

How to Choose the Right Video Production Team

When hiring, don’t make price your only consideration — professionalism, creativity, and reliability matters. Below, we look at some of the most important things to consider in selecting a video production company:

• See Their Portfolio: View their past work to know what to expect in terms of quality, style, and creativity. A strong portfolio consistently demonstrates performance.
• Request Pricing Breakdown: A transparent breakdown of video production prices instills confidence and keeps you informed about how your money is being spent.
• Get to Know Your Process: A well-rooted team with a clear process ensures easy communication and on-time delivery.
• Get Quotes: Obtain several quotes to compare and determine the average local video shoot price in your city.
• Communication: Look for a team that listens attentively and shares your vision. The best way to avoid that is through good communication.

Tips to Save on Video Production Costs

Don’t worry, if you are asking yourself how much does it cost to hire a video production company, there are innovative ways to cut costs without cutting corners:

• Plan to avoid rush fees and last-minute changes.
• Reduce travel and setup costs by using fewer shooting locations.
• Bring your own script or actors, if you’ve got talent with their head on straight.
• You can also repurpose old footage or b-roll from earlier projects.
• Employ a smaller but talented local ensemble and save on transportation and accommodation.

Even a few small changes can make a significant difference in terms of those video production crew rates, allowing you to get professional-quality footage without breaking the bank.

How to Get the Most Value for Your Budget

To maximize impact per dollar, stick to the story and quality. Forget about wasting cash on useless add-ons and focus instead on powerful visuals, great lighting, and top-notch editing.

Plus, partner with a team that shares your vision. The top production crews strike the sweet spot between creativity and cost innovation, offering a clear breakdown of video production costs.

Don’t forget that solid storytelling and plotting can make small budgets look professional when discussing the cost of a video. 

Conclusion

Video production is an expensive endeavor that can yield significant dividends when executed correctly. The rates for local video shoots vary depending on these factors, but again, they’re just the base numbers.

Rather than just what they charge, look instead at the return it will give on your brand, message, or campaign. With the right planning and team, you can create a video that has the impact you’re looking for, without stretching your production budget to its limit.

If you’re looking for a solid ace to take care of your production work, Team Unity Media makes an outstanding pick. We will provide you with pricing transparency and a detailed cost breakdown for video production, along with high-quality work tailored to your needs. No matter if you’re a small business or a huge company, the Team Unity Media pros make sure that you get more bang for your buck — with no sneaky fees or sky-high prices. We are excellent storytellers, videographers, and editors, which makes us highly recommended for those looking for a professional local video shoot at an affordable cost.

FAQs –              

• How much does a video production company cost for a one-day shoot?

Crew rates vary depending on crew size, equipment, and the type of project, but typically fall within the $1,000-$5,000 per day range for a one-day shoot. Be sure always to request a complete video production cost breakdown so you can see what is included.

• What are the things that affect local video shoot pricing the most?

Factors include the project’s length, the team’s experience, the type of equipment used, and the type of resources required—the more complex the needs, the higher the price tag for a video crew.

• How can I lower the cost of my video productions without sacrificing quality?

You can save by giving yourself some lead time, cutting down on shooting days, limiting the number of locations, or supplying your own actors. Selecting a local, honest company like Team Unity Media also allows for efficient management of the video production crew’s rates.