That’s one of the most common questions in any video production company’s inbox. Many people who need video content ask how much does it cost to make a video, but the answer depends on what the project involves. Some videos are simple and can be completed in a day. Others take weeks and require multiple locations, crew members, and rounds of editing.
This article outlines what affects video pricing—so you know what to consider before reaching out for quotes.
Why Invest in Professional Video Production
You can shoot a video on your phone, follow online tutorials, or use AI to write and edit content. Those options might seem like a good way to save money—until they don’t.
We’ve had clients hire us after trying to have a staff member shoot with an iPhone, only to realize the footage was terrible. In the end, that meant spending more time and more money than if they had just worked with a production company from the start.
Professional video production services can prevent those issues. With the right video production company, you get content that’s ready to use—and something that reflects well on your brand.
The Impact of Budget on Video Production
Budget affects what actually gets made. Not just how a video looks, but how it’s planned, how many people are involved, and how much time goes into it.
We’ve worked on projects filmed in a few hours with one person—and others that took days, multiple locations, and a full crew. Neither is better by default. It just depends on what the video needs to do.
Tighter budgets usually mean keeping things simple: fewer setups, shorter shoot times, less time in post. Bigger budgets give more room to work—like animation, graphics, travel, or faster delivery.
That said, scope still has to match the budget. If you’re planning a five-day conference at one of the fantastic venues near Disney and only have $500 set aside for event videography, that’s not going to cover much. You may need to shift funds from somewhere else if video is something you actually want covered.
Key Components of Video Production Costs
What a video costs depends on a bunch of moving parts. Some projects are light—one person, one day. Others sprawl out. Crew, planning, gear, edit time—it all adds up in different ways.
Crew
Sometimes it’s just one person with a camera and mic. Other times, you need more—someone on audio, lighting, maybe another camera if things move fast.
Equipment
Not every project needs fancy gear. But when it does, things like extra lights, a drone, or a teleprompter can push the cost up.
Pre-Production
Writing, shot lists, location checks, permits—some projects need more upfront work than others. That time shows up in the budget.
Shoot Days
Filming over one day is cheaper than stretching it across a week. Every shoot day means more crew, setup, and logistics.
Post-Production
Editing isn’t just cutting clips together. Some videos need color correction, sound cleanup, motion graphics, or several versions. The more layers, the more time.
Deliverables
One video file might be all you need. But if there’s a social clip, a vertical version, or other formats involved, that adds time in post.
Even small projects usually include a few of these pieces. Most of the cost comes from everything wrapped around the camera—not just the time spent filming.
Get a Customized Video Production Estimate
Video production costs vary. A welcome video is priced differently than a multi-day conference. There’s no set video production cost because every project asks for something different.
If you’re working on a video project and wondering how much does it cost to make a video, then start with what the conten needs to do. Once you have that down, it makes it easier to know what to give up on and what you need more of.
As an Orlando video production company, we’ve worked with clients based here, others visiting, and some who just needed a crew on-site for part of a larger project. Even if you’re not hiring us, we hope this helped you understand what affects cost—and what to ask about when you’re reaching out for quotes.
