How Much does a Corporate Video Cost?

The single most common question we hear in our video production practice is “How much does a video cost?”  The answer?  “It depends.”

That sounds evasive I know, but it’s the truth.  Really.  Our financial advisor and I were talking about this several years ago and he was trying to pin me down to an average price.  He made the point that the average cost of a home in Dallas (at the time) was $135,000, couldn’t I do that with videos?  To which I said, “Great, I’d like a 5 thousand square foot home in Highland Park on 8 acres.”  “No no no no,” he said. “It doesn’t work that way. That’s different.”  “Ahhhhhhhhhhh,” I said. “Now you understand.”  No two homes are exactly alike.  No two videos are exactly alike either.

You were interested enough to check this out, so I’ll give you some general pricing guidelines.

For a 3 - 5 minute corporate video we have charged as little as $3500 and as much as $70,000, and everything in between.  It all depends on what goes into it: a 2^nd camera unit; dolly and crane; location sound man; 3d computer modeling; aerial video shooting; Godzilla tramping through New York City, All that stuff costs money.

Another way to relate to the price/performance of a video is to compare it to the cost of an automobile; it’s roughly the same: 

TOYOTA COROLLA-                                                                   13k

(used) You want something inexpensive, reliable and basic.

HONDA ACCORD-                                                                       25k      

(new) You like a little more refinement in your life.

LEXUS ES-                                                                                    40k

Quality and image are important to you.

ROLLS ROYCE-                                                                            245k +

Quality is paramount.  Whatever it costs to have the best.

Of course this is meant to be use as a guideline.  For some projects it will make sense to be basic, for others you benefit more by putting in more.  See?  It depends.

WARNING:  There are providers out there who will do a video for whatever you want to spend … $2000, $1000, even less.  The old saying holds true:  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

David and Kathryn Seay produce corporate videos and documentaries.  They are based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
www.davidseayproductions.com