How much does a video cost for my company?

The question about the budget of a promotional or image film is one of the first questions clients ask us. And for good reason. After all, such an expense must  be included in the budget. The snag is that the cost of preparing such a production can be… very different. So see what it will depend on and what amounts you need to prepare for.

How much do I need to have in order to order a commercial/visual video?

Let’s start with a general outline of the cost of producing a promotional or advertising video. It is difficult to give one specific amount. Why?  You’ll see that in a moment, when you get acquainted with the factors that affect it. However, it is possible to give some kind of “boundary values” – those around which real costs oscillate.

As of now, i.e. the first half of 2024, you have to reckon that the cost of a minimum film for a company is about 8 thousand zlotys. And how much can the highest expense be? It can be said that “the sky is the limit”. There are even productions whose budget reaches a few million zlotys. So it is worth knowing what affects the cost.

These elements affect the cost of the video for the company

What do you think costs more?

A: A short, 15- to 20-second clip, shot at your company’s headquarters, during which its CEO invites you to an upcoming business conference.A: A short, 15- to 20-second clip, shot at your company’s headquarters, during which its CEO invites you to an upcoming business conference.

B: A 2-minute production, shot in the office, on the factory floor and in the studio, with employees, actors and extras, enhanced with animation and special effects?B: A 2-minute production, shot in the office, on the factory floor and in the studio, with employees, actors and extras, enhanced with animation and special effects?

It’s not hard to give an answer, is it? And the examples above allow you to create a short but concise list of factors that affect the final budget of a image, promotional or product film. Here they are.

Film length

The shorter the production, the (usually) fewer resources are required. Much less material is needed to prepare a short clip, and therefore much less labor is required, including at the editing stage.

Number of shooting days

The more shooting days, the higher the costs. These are related to the employment and maintenance of the crew, as well as the use of equipment.

Number of locations

When the shooting is done in one location – for example, your company’s premises, you can expect lower costs than when the locations are more numerous or need to be rented. Moving the crew, having to prepare several sets, taking time to commute, all the logistics – this entails additional expenses.

Employed actors/lecturer

If you’re preparing an image video, it might be a good idea to feature the company’s employees in it – a way to enhance the authenticity and credibility of the message. Such a solution also helps reduce costs. Hiring actors to star in the production is an additional expense, but this investment often pays off. The image of a celebrity allows you to increase your reach and “warm up in the light of the trust” that your audience has in you.

The production price will also increase if the script includes an off-screen voiceover. Hiring a professional voiceover artist is an additional expense.

“The momentum” of the production

The film’s expanded concept and script means that a larger crew is working on the production. This is necessary, for example, because of logistical issues related to the equipment used, lighting, special effects, graphics.

Equipment used

What equipment is made for filming translates into image quality, among other things. In order to get this highest, professional equipment is essential. Often the need to use it raises the cost of production – some agencies or freelancers simply have to rent it for the duration of filming. With us, this factor does not play a significant role – we have everything necessary on hand.

Number of films to be made from the shot material

Shooting the footage is not the end of the work involved in making the film. Once the shooting is complete, editing and other elements of post-production are also needed. The duration of this work (and, consequently, its cost) depends, among other things, on the number of films to be eventually made. The more – the higher the investment will be.

The above list does not exhaust the list of factors that make up the final cost. However, it leads to a simple conclusion: the budget of a film is best discussed based on “concrete”.

Do you know you want to shoot such material? Contact Mariusz – of our team. Together, we’ll refine the concept to fit into the budget you want to allocate for this promotional piece.