Film and video production aren’t the same. Films build cinematic stories, while video delivers practical content for business, education, or marketing. This article highlights key differences in crew size, scripts, locations, budgets, and distribution to help you understand how they compare.
Crew Size
Film crews are large. Movie credits can last around eight minutes, listing producers, directors, writers, actors, editors, and crew. For example, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” had over 200 cast and crew members. By contrast, a single corporate videographer can handle a welcome video for a law firm. Films require big teams to manage their scope, which affects scheduling, costs, and coordination.
The Script
Film scripts usually go through many revisions with input from the studio, executives, writers, producers, actors, and directors. For example, “Avengers: Infinity War” had a script developed over several years with multiple drafts, yet it was still being refined during principal photography.
In contrast, during a law firm video production that our company produced, the teleprompter script was adjusted on set to improve dialogue flow without needing multiple approvals. This reflects how business video scripts tend to be simpler and more stable after the first draft.
Generally, film scripts focus on creative development and complexity, while business video scripts prioritize efficiency and clarity.
Locations
Films often require shooting in multiple locations. However, green screens, blue screens, and The Volume technology have made this more efficient and budget-friendly compared to traveling to multiple countries for a single scene. Most video productions use a single location, such as the venue for a conference or office. For instance, an event video production typically uses only the venue hosting the event.
Target Audience
Films aim to entertain a wide audience through theaters, streaming, or television. They focus on engaging viewers emotionally or intellectually with long-form stories.
Video production serves specific business needs. Corporate videos support training, sales, and product demonstrations. Event videos document conferences and trade shows with authenticity. Marketing videos promote brands through social media and advertising.
Below is an example of a testimonial video we produced for a dental consulting firm. The client testimonial told a focused story about real challenges and measurable results. This type of video production delivers a clear message that builds credibility and connects with potential clients.
Shooting Medium
The medium used is a key difference. Video production companies typically involve videographers working with digital cameras like the Sony A7S III, Sony FX6, and Canon EOS C70. Movies rely on cinematographers using film cameras. Since “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”, the film industry has mostly transitioned to digital cinema cameras like the ARRI Mini LF and Sony VENICE. Film cameras like the ARRIFLEX 435 are becoming less common due to their higher cost and lower efficiency. Since 2017, 92% of films have been shot digitally, although there has been a slight resurgence in the use of film. This trend is evident in Oscar-winning films like “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things.” Film cameras aren’t exclusive to movies—they’re occasionally used for projects like Lorde’s Green Light music video, just as digital cinema cameras are also used in film productions.
Scale
Video production projects are typically shorter. Many highlight videos run around two minutes. In contrast, movies usually run between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours. Some movies extend past three hours, such as “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Most video productions result in short videos. However, corporate documentaries or recorded conferences can run several hours—sometimes between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the editing.
Distribution Channels
Films are usually distributed through theaters, festivals, and streaming services and later released on Blu-ray and digital downloads. Video production deliverables are distributed via online platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media. Depending on the project, such as infomercials, videos may also be distributed on TV. High-quality films can maintain relevance for years. Most videos serve shorter-term goals, like campaigns or updates.
Budget
Film production usually involves higher budgets due to larger crews, longer timelines, and more complex logistics. Video production costs vary but are generally lower, especially for corporate, event, or marketing content. While some videos—like commercials or music videos—can cost millions, most stay well below that.
Production Time
Films often take months or even years to complete. For example, The “Barbie” movie took four months to film; while editing by Houy and Maya Rivera, Nicholas Ramirez, and Gloria Tello took 14 months. A video production project like a corporate or event video usually takes a few weeks.
Conclusion
Film and video production differ in scale, crew size, script demands, timelines, and budgets. But the lines often blur. Video teams sometimes produce films, and film crews take on video projects. Though film and video production differ in scale, crew size, scripts, timelines, and budgets, their workflows often overlap, and professionals may work across both.
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