Q: How do
I budget for a video?
A:
The answer is simple…it depends. First, ask yourself more specific
questions:
Who
is the audience?
What do you want to accomplish?
Are there secondary goals?
Will you need VHS, DVD, CD-ROM, or
web formats?
Where and when will the video be shown?
What quality production do you expect?
Is there a budget?
What's the due date?
Who has sign-off authority?
Once the project parameters have been established, it's time to determine the approach. Here are a few possibilities:
- Voice-over Narration – a straightforward approach…but remember, each word will need to be illustrated visually with video, text or graphics.
- On-camera Spokesperson – sometimes this approach can be less expensive than voice-over. Plus, you have the one-on-one appeal of a professional talent.
- Company Executive – if the message is more personal it may be better
delivered by the CEO, a marketing professional or a veteran sales person.
- Interview Style – the best approach for those who may not be comfortable
delivering to camera.
- Theatrical – perhaps your message can best be conveyed in dialogue
between actors in scripted roles.
Often, the finished video may contain more than one style.
Now it is time to budget.
A typical 10 minute video budget might look like this:
PRE-PRODUCTION
Co-ordination and scheduling $200 - 700
Scripting $150 - 200 per finished minute
Auditions and casting $250 - 750
Site check and shot list $200 - 1,000
PRODUCTION
Spokesperson $650 - 1,000 per day
Wardrobe $50 - 250
Makeup $350 per day
Teleprompting $350 per day
Day Player actor $350 - 600 per actor per day
Location videography $1,000 per day
Location direction $850 per day
Boom arm and operator $450 per day
Location sound and light $550 per day
Sound stage set-up $500 per day
Props or set component $500 - 1,500
Sound stage $500 per day
Materials/tape stock $145 - 500
Catering $75 - 300
POST PRODUCTION
Edit $150 - 300 per hour
Graphics $750 - 2,000
Direction $850 per day
Materials $200 - 450
Library Music $125
The cost to produce a finished video can vary widely, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per finished minute. The typical industry standard is $1,500 to $2,000 per finished minute for a full-scale production. If you have questions about a specific project… just Ask Mainstream !
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