HOW
MUCH DOES IT COST?
Most
people ask “How much?” and never hear the bottom line.
That’s because
it’s
a difficult question to answer with many variables. The price depends on
factors such as quality, length, talent used, special effects, and the
list
goes
on.
A
broadcast quality video, created by a professional video company, using the
latest
digital equipment, will cost between $800 and $2800 per finished minute.
These are general
terms and each production will have costs we cannot totally
predict.
Script: The cost
depends on whether we write it, a professional writer is involved,
or we edit an
existing script to fit the video’s needs.
Tape Format: BetaSp
is used throughout the industry for broadcast quality.
Newer
formats, such as MiniDV and DV Cam are also good choices.
Other formats, S-VHS, VHS or Hi8, may be less expensive and may or may
not meet
your project’s need.
Graphics and Animations:
Each is an added expense, the time and talent involved
will be part of
your cost.
Pacing: An
easy-going program with longer shots will cost less to produce than a
very
fast paced program with many shots and edits.
Deadlines: As
with most businesses, a tight deadline costs more than one where
sufficient
time is available for planning, scheduling and editing.
On-Camera Talent, Voice-Over Narration, and Music:
We furnish these elements
and costs vary
according to expenses incurred.
On-Site Location Shooting and travel expenses:
Several crew members, set-up
and
tear-down time, difficult shooting locations, fees and permission
to shoot at some sites all add time and expense to your costs.
VHS Duplication, Copy Protection, DVD Authoring, and
Packaging: These and other
services
need to be budgeted in your total costs.
Stay organized, keep it
simple, be aware there may be unplanned expenses,
and let us help you through the process.
HOW
LONG SHOULD MY VIDEO BE?
Our advise is to keep it simple,
and when you have said it, stop. Most sales and marketing
videos get the message
across in 5-10 minutes, so you can keep your audience awake.
Instructional videos need to be kept clear, concise and short enough to
keep the trainee’s
attention. And, infomercials may run 30 minutes or so with
lots of attention-grabbing breaks.
HOW
IS A VIDEO PRODUCTION BUDGET DEVELOPED?
We will work with you, side by side. We’ll discuss your vision of the
project and
the extras you may
desire, and we will discuss your budget restraints.
We are glad to suggest
other creative ideas and
some possible trade-offs that will help stretch your budget and still
produce
the highest value video for you.
Our goal is to create a video that clearly and effectively
presents the
desired message.
HOW
INVOLVED CAN I BE IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS?
You can be very involved. The
very best videos are a true collaboration.
You
and your
production company can create a program that meets the goals you’ve
set, all within
budget,
HOW
IS A VIDEO MADE?
There are three stages:
Pre-production (the development and preparation stage), Production
(shooting the footage) and Post-production (editing the footage into a finished
program).
PRE-PRODUCTION
1.
First, we get together and learn about
your vision for the video.