How Much Does It Cost To Make a Professional Video?
This is one of the biggest questions I receive and the answer can be confusing for those who are new to hiring a professional videographer. I want to bring clarity to this question so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Investing in video production is a big step, and I want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your company. That's why I put together this handy guide to help you understand the costs associated with creating a high-quality video that will take your brand to the next level.
Every business has unique needs and budgets, and yours is no different. Imagine what a Kitchen Remodeler must feel like when they’re asked the question, “How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen?” Of course, that answer is going to be different for every home owner!
I want to be as transparent about this as possible. No two videos have the same variables when being produced, nor do they cost the same amount. BUT, I believe I can empower you with some general knowledge here that will help you get an idea of what the costs might be.
My goal is to help you navigate the world of video production with confidence.
On this page, you'll find a breakdown of the various positions and gear packages involved in the video production process, along with their associated rates. I've provided a range of options to suit different budgets and project scopes, so you can get a clear picture of what to expect when working with a professional video production company.
There Are 3 Phases of Video Production
The first thing to understand is that there are 3 phases of video production to consider when beginning a video project, and each one of them comes with their own associated costs.
PRE-PRODUCTION
The Pre-Production phase will include some (if not all) of the following:
• Research
• Ideation
• Scriptwriting
• Shot Listing
• Budgeting
• Scheduling
• Crew Selection
• Equipment Planning
• Location Scouting
• Booking
There may be multiple people involved in this process, depending on the scale of the project.
PRODUCTION
During the Production phase, the actual filming takes place. Costs associated with this will include:
• CREW
(At the BARE minimum, this is a Videographer)
• EQUIPMENT
(Camera, Sound, Lighting, and Support)
• TRAVEL
(If travel is involved, this may include airfare, hotels, car rentals, meals, mileage, etc)
POST / EDITING
The key to being able to estimate your editing costs is to clearly define your project during Pre-Production. The editing phase includes some (if not all) of the following:
• Footage Logging
• Footage Assembly
• Music Selection
• Graphic Selection / Design
• Rough Cut
• Reviews
• Color Correction
• Final Cut
There may be multiple people involved in this process, depending on the scale and type of project.
2025 Labor and Equipment Costs for Video Production
First and foremost, it’s important for you to understand that you will find a VAST range of talent in the video production industry. Videographers have very different perspectives, experiences, problem-solving skills, creativity in their shot design, vision, personality, business practices, and so forth.
Therefore, it’s completely impossible to compare “apples to apples”, matching talent and experience with price. But, I want to at least provide the current market value for labor and equipment so you can begin to understand what the costs might be.
Here are the various positions you may need to fill for your project, and the equipment you might need as well. Their expected costs are listed from low-end (less experienced laborer or low quality equipment) to high-end (experienced labor or high quality equipment).
LABOR
Labor costs for production are typically based on a 10 hour day. This is called a “full day rate”. This means that video contractors bill for 10 hours whether they’re on set shooting for a full 10 hours or not. That’s because there is typically a lot of work that takes place behind the scenes in terms of gear preparation, coordination, and other general office responsibilities that are all part of what it takes to work on your project.
In some cases, video contractors may adjust their rates to a half day (1-5 hours), which is generally around 65% of their full day rate.
Video Producer
Pay range for a Video Producer is between $450 - $900 per day.
Director of Photography / Cinematographer
Pay range for a DP / Cinematographer is between $750 - $1,000 per day.
Note: DPs may be paid significantly more based on experience, production city, and type of project.
Camera Operator / Videographer
Pay range for a Videographer is between $450 - $650 per day.
Note: Videographers may be paid significantly more based on experience, production city, and type of project.
Camera Assistant
Pay range for a Camera Assistant is between $400 - $650 per day.
Sound Mixer
Pay range for a Sound Mixer is between $500 - $800 per day.
Note: Sound Mixers generally prefer to use their own audio kit. Those gear costs add an additional $250 - $450 per day, based on the needs of the project.
Gaffer
Pay range for a Gaffer is between $500 - $850 per day.
Note: Gaffers generally prefer to use their own grip/lighting package. Grip and Lighting packages vary significantly in price, ranging from $600 - $2,500 per day, based on the needs of the project.
Grip
Pay range for a Grip is between $400 - $600 per day.
Makup Artist
Pay range for a Makeup Artist is between $450 - $875 per day.
Note: Makeup Artists also have a kit fee, but their kit fee is generally included in their day rate.
Production Assistant
Pay range for a Production Assistant is between $250 - $350 per day.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment costs must be considered carefully when estimating the cost of production. A lot of money can be saved or wasted in this area. It’s important to make sure you get what you need for the success of the project, but you don’t want unnecessary equipment just sitting on the sidelines not adding value to your project. That’s just wasted dollars that you could be using elsewhere.
(Hint: I’m very used to navigating all this for my clients and I can provide the same service for you.)
Here is the equipment that needs to be considered as you’re developing your budget:
Camera Package
A decision will need to be made regarding the appropriate camera package for the job. Today, we see everything from iPhones (for user generated content) to the Arri Alexa Mini (for high-end commercials and documentaries). Costs vary SIGNIFICANTLY. A camera package includes the camera body, lenses, tripod, media, power, filters, monitor, and accessories.
In general, you can expect to a camera package to be in the range of $200 - $800 per day.
Drone
For a drone package to accompany a videographer, expect that cost to range from $150 - $350 per day.
Audio Kit
Sound is one of the most important things on set. A standard audio kit will include a mixer/recorder, boom mic, 2 wireless lav mics, headphones, and accessories. There are many other components to a good audio kit, but this is the standard in the industry.
A package like this starts at $250 and, with additional accessories, can top out around $500.
Grip and Lighting
I’ve seen a lot of different numbers for grip and lighting. The key thing here is knowing what you need and what you don’t need. If you cut the package too thin, it really limits the shots you can create on set. If you order a package that’s too much, you waste precious money. I can help you keep these numbers appropriate to the needs of your project.
A grip and lighting package can be as low as $300, but usually starts at $600 and can definitely reach $2,500 per day, depending on the scale of the project.
What Do These Numbers Look Like When Put Together?
To help solve that mystery, I’ll lay out a few variations of what a typical production crew looks like to produce various types of content. Please note that these costs are for production ONLY, and do not include pre-production or post.
Social Media
(Single-Person Crew with Gear)
This is the newest category and there is currently no “standard” approach to creating social media content. That’s what has made things very confusing to the companies who are trying to hire skilled labor, AND to the crew members who are trying to figure out what to charge in this emerging category.
What I’m seeing at the ground level is a single person crew with very minimal gear. The “camera package” might be as basic as a phone camera, and audio might be as basic as the DJI Mic 2 system (or something similar).
A significant note here: Social media shooting typically does not adhere to the standard practice of “Full Day” or “Half Day” rates that you see throughout the rest of the industry. What I see more typically is shorter time blocks for production, like 2 or 3 hours on set. If the time block is shortened like this, you can generally expect the rates to be less, too.
Lastly, Videographers in this category are all over the board in terms of experience. Some have virtually no experience at all, while others have been creating content professional for years and really bring a lot of expertise to this category. So, when you’re evaluating talent for your social media content, choose carefully.
For someone to shoot social media content, the cost could range from $350 - $800 for 2 - 3 hours on set… and certainly more if you’re wanting a more polished, professional look.
I’ve done social media shoots with celebrities and we did those shoots with professional crew and gear, more like the options that you’ll see below. The cost to produce the content was also much higher.
My advice is this: If you don’t get a second chance to get the “money” shot and the audio needs to be perfect, then don’t skimp on the numbers and make sure you have the right crew and the right equipment.
Definitely feel free to reach out to me if you need help accomplishing that.
News Gathering, Documentary
(Single-Person Crew with Gear)
For news gathering and documentary work, the only labor position is typically a videographer or cinematographer. In addition to having a camera, they will also have a sound package, and basic lighting kit.
A package like this will usually range from $1,200 - $2,000 per day.
Corporate Videos, Docuseries TV, Small Commercial
(Two-Person Crew with Gear)
A two-person crew with gear is the base-line set up for shooting corporate videos, docuseries television, and small commercial shoots. It includes a Videographer / Cinematographer paired with a Sound Mixer. The gear typically starts with a better camera package than what you’d find on a Single-Person Crew, and also includes a more robust sound package and lighting kit.
A package like this could range from $2,500 - $3,200 per day… or more.
For additional costs (as shown under “LABOR” above), other crew members may be added to fulfill other key roles, such as Grip, Makeup Artist, and Production Assistant.
Commercial
(Multi-Person Crew with Gear)
Full-scale commercial work is a very different beast. The crew is much larger, with many roles being needed to do this type of work. I’ve worked on commercials with celebrities like Patrick Mahomes that required multiple cameras, a large lighting package, and highly technical equipment for video monitoring and sound.
Production of this scale can easily begin as high as $7,200 and quickly go over $10,000… even reaching much, much more.
NOTE: These costs are only for production and do not include pre-production or post.
Is It Possible to Save Costs by Hiring a Videographer on Retainer?
If you’re doing a one-time shoot or you only need to produce content occasionally, your most cost-effective approach will be to hire a videographer or production team as needed. However, if you have the need or desire to create content with more regularity and efficiency, you may want to consider hiring a videographer on retainer.
Video production retainers have become much more common with the growing need for video content. They’re an arrangement where a company contracts a videographer or production team for a set amount of work over a specified period (usually 3, 6, or 12 months). This approach offers several benefits that can significantly improve the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of a company's video content strategy.
One of the primary advantages of a video production retainer is the assurance of consistent, high-quality video content. By working with a dedicated team that becomes familiar with your brand, you can expect videos that maintain a uniform look and feel, aligned with your brand guidelines. This consistency improves over time as the videographer gains a deeper understanding of your requirements, leading to shorter feedback loops and fewer revision rounds. Additionally, a retainer arrangement can be more cost-effective in the long run, as companies often secure discounted rates for bulk purchases of video production hours, resulting in lower per-project costs and better budget management.
Another significant benefit of a video production retainer is the time-saving and efficiency it offers. By eliminating the need to repeatedly research and vet video production companies for each project, companies can streamline their video content creation process. This leads to faster turnaround times and a more efficient workflow, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. Moreover, the videographer or production team becomes an extension of your own team, fostering a strategic partnership that allows for better alignment with your business goals and communication strategy. This integration enables the production team to make informed decisions and offer creative input based on their deep understanding of your brand, ultimately leading to more engaging and effective video content.
Sample Video Retainers We Offer at Scene2
This is not a full explanation of what’s included, but this will give you an idea of what the cost of a retainer could look like. Fee free to reach out to me if you would like more details.
STARTER
$2,500 | Month
Instantly Increase your creative powers and start saving 5% right away! This offer is perfect for small businesses who are ready to grow.
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A 5% discount will be applied to all labor.
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• Contracts are available for 3, 6, and 12 months.
• Hours must be used within the length of the term.
• Billing occurs once a month.
• Any expenses incurred (i.e. travel, stock music, stock images, etc) will be billed separately at time of purchase.
INTERMEDIATE
$3,500 | Month
Business is picking up and you need more help. Along with more help comes more discounts! Increase your savings to 10%.
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A 10% discount will be applied to all labor.
-
• Contracts are available for 3, 6, and 12 months.
• Hours must be used within the length of the term.
• Billing occurs once a month.
• Any expenses incurred (i.e. travel, stock music, stock images, etc) will be billed separately at time of purchase.
ADVANCED
$4,500 | Month
You’re not quite ready to go Pro but you’re getting there. This level offers a deep savings of 15%. You can take that to the bank!
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A 15% discount will be applied to all labor.
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• Contracts are available for 3, 6, and 12 months.
• Hours must be used within the length of the term.
• Billing occurs once a month.
• Any expenses incurred (i.e. travel, stock music, stock images, etc) will be billed separately at time of purchase.
PRO
$5,500 | Month
The most number of hours at the BIGGEST discount! Save 20% on EVERYTHING. For those who have the greatest need and want the most attention.
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A 20% discount will be applied to ALL LABOR. This is the most significant discount.
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• Contracts are available for 6, 12, and 24 months.
• Hours must be used within the length of the term.
• Billing occurs once a month.
• Any expenses incurred (i.e. travel, stock music, stock images, etc) will be billed separately at time of purchase.
Reach Out for More Information
While it's true that creating a high-quality video requires an investment, it's important to remember that the value it brings to your business can be immeasurable. A well-crafted video has the power to engage your target audience, communicate your brand message, and ultimately drive conversions and revenue. By partnering with me at Scene2, you're not just paying for a video – you're investing in the growth and success of your business.
I understand that every dollar counts when it comes to running a company, and that's why I’m committed to delivering exceptional value for your investment. I’ll work closely with you to understand your goals, develop a tailored strategy, and create a video that exceeds your expectations and delivers measurable results.
I invite you to reach out to me with any questions. I’m here to help you make the best decision for your business and achieve your video goals with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about the technical aspects of video production or other ways that video can enhance your business, click the icon below to view my YouTube page, Video Production Resource!
