Video Production Cost Calculator
Plan your video production budget with this comprehensive cost calculator. From social media clips to full commercials and documentaries, estimate costs for scriptwriting, crew, equipment, talent, editing, and final deliverables. Perfect for video production companies providing client quotes, marketing teams budgeting for content, and businesses planning corporate videos.
Try the Calculator
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
export function videoProductionCalculator(form: FormTs) {
// Pricing data
const videoTypePrices: Record<string, number> = {
'social-media': 500,
'promotional': 1500,
'corporate': 2500,
'commercial': 4000,
'documentary': 5000,
'music-video': 3500,
'event-highlight': 1000,
'training': 2000
};
const durationMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'30sec': 0.5,
'1min': 0.75,
'2-3min': 1,
'5min': 1.5,
'10min': 2.5,
'30min': 5,
'60min': 8
};
form.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header', {
computedValue: () => 'Video Production Cost Calculator',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '1.5rem', 'font-weight': '600', 'color': '#1e293b' }
});
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20 });
// Project Overview Section
const projectSection = form.addSubform('project', { title: '🎬 Project Overview' });
projectSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('videoType', {
label: 'Video Type',
options: [
{ id: 'social-media', name: 'Social Media Content ($500 base)' },
{ id: 'promotional', name: 'Promotional Video ($1,500 base)' },
{ id: 'corporate', name: 'Corporate Video ($2,500 base)' },
{ id: 'commercial', name: 'TV/Web Commercial ($4,000 base)' },
{ id: 'documentary', name: 'Documentary ($5,000 base)' },
{ id: 'music-video', name: 'Music Video ($3,500 base)' },
{ id: 'event-highlight', name: 'Event Highlight ($1,000 base)' },
{ id: 'training', name: 'Training/Educational ($2,000 base)' }
],
defaultValue: 'promotional',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('duration', {
label: 'Final Video Duration',
options: [
{ id: '30sec', name: '30 seconds' },
{ id: '1min', name: '1 minute' },
{ id: '2-3min', name: '2-3 minutes' },
{ id: '5min', name: '5 minutes' },
{ id: '10min', name: '10 minutes' },
{ id: '30min', name: '30 minutes' },
{ id: '60min', name: '60+ minutes' }
],
defaultValue: '2-3min',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
projectSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('quality', {
label: 'Production Quality',
options: [
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic (1 camera, minimal crew)' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (2 cameras, small crew)' },
{ id: 'professional', name: 'Professional (Multi-camera, full crew)' },
{ id: 'cinematic', name: 'Cinematic (Film-quality production)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addInteger('shootDays', {
label: 'Shoot Days',
min: 1,
max: 30,
defaultValue: 1,
isRequired: true,
tooltip: 'Number of days required for filming'
}, '1fr');
});
// Pre-Production Section
const preSection = form.addSubform('preProduction', { title: '📝 Pre-Production' });
preSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('scriptwriting', {
label: 'Scriptwriting',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'Not needed (client provides)' },
{ id: 'outline', name: 'Outline/talking points ($200)' },
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic script ($500)' },
{ id: 'detailed', name: 'Detailed script with revisions ($1,000)' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium creative script ($2,000)' }
],
defaultValue: 'basic'
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('storyboard', {
label: 'Storyboarding',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'Not needed' },
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic shot list ($150)' },
{ id: 'detailed', name: 'Detailed storyboard ($400)' },
{ id: 'animated', name: 'Animated storyboard ($800)' }
],
defaultValue: 'none'
}, '1fr');
});
preSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('locationScouting', {
label: 'Location Scouting',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$300 for location research and permits'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('castingServices', {
label: 'Casting Services',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$500 for talent auditions and selection'
}, '1fr');
});
// Production Section
const productionSection = form.addSubform('production', { title: '🎥 Production' });
productionSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('crewSize', {
label: 'Crew Size',
options: [
{ id: 'solo', name: 'Solo Videographer ($400/day)' },
{ id: 'small', name: 'Small Crew (2-3 people, $800/day)' },
{ id: 'medium', name: 'Medium Crew (4-6 people, $1,500/day)' },
{ id: 'large', name: 'Large Crew (7+ people, $3,000/day)' }
],
defaultValue: 'small',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('equipment', {
label: 'Equipment Package',
options: [
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic (DSLR, basic lighting)' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (Cinema camera, pro lighting)' },
{ id: 'professional', name: 'Professional (RED/ARRI, grip truck)' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium (Full cinema package)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard'
}, '1fr');
});
productionSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('drone', {
label: 'Drone/Aerial Footage',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$500/day including licensed pilot'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('teleprompter', {
label: 'Teleprompter',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$200/day with operator'
}, '1fr');
});
productionSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('liveStreaming', {
label: 'Live Streaming Setup',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$800 for multi-camera live streaming'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('greenScreen', {
label: 'Green Screen Studio',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$400/day for studio with green screen'
}, '1fr');
});
// Talent Section
const talentSection = form.addSubform('talent', { title: '👤 Talent & Actors' });
talentSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('onCameraTalent', {
label: 'On-Camera Talent',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'None (client appears)' },
{ id: 'amateur', name: 'Non-professional ($100/person)' },
{ id: 'professional', name: 'Professional actors ($500/person)' },
{ id: 'celebrity', name: 'Celebrity/Influencer ($2,000+/person)' }
],
defaultValue: 'none'
}, '1fr');
row.addInteger('talentCount', {
label: 'Number of Talent',
min: 0,
max: 20,
defaultValue: 0,
isVisible: () => {
const talent = talentSection.dropdown('onCameraTalent')?.value();
return talent !== 'none';
}
}, '1fr');
});
talentSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('voiceOver', {
label: 'Professional Voice Over',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$300 for professional VO artist'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('hairMakeup', {
label: 'Hair & Makeup Artist',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$400/day for professional styling'
}, '1fr');
});
// Post-Production Section
const postSection = form.addSubform('postProduction', { title: '✂️ Post-Production' });
postSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('editingLevel', {
label: 'Editing Level',
options: [
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic editing (cuts, basic transitions)' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (color correction, graphics)' },
{ id: 'advanced', name: 'Advanced (motion graphics, effects)' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium (VFX, animation)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addInteger('revisionRounds', {
label: 'Revision Rounds',
min: 1,
max: 10,
defaultValue: 2,
tooltip: 'First 2 rounds included, +$150 per additional round'
}, '1fr');
});
postSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('music', {
label: 'Music & Sound',
options: [
{ id: 'stock', name: 'Stock music (royalty-free)' },
{ id: 'licensed', name: 'Licensed music (+$200-500)' },
{ id: 'custom', name: 'Custom composition (+$1,500)' }
],
defaultValue: 'stock'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('soundDesign', {
label: 'Professional Sound Design',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$400 for custom sound effects and mixing'
}, '1fr');
});
postSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('subtitles', {
label: 'Subtitles/Captions',
defaultValue: true,
tooltip: '+$100 for professional captioning'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('translations', {
label: 'Multi-language Versions',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$300 per additional language'
}, '1fr');
});
// Deliverables Section
const deliverablesSection = form.addSubform('deliverables', { title: '📦 Deliverables' });
deliverablesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('socialMediaCuts', {
label: 'Social Media Cuts (15s, 30s, 60s)',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$300 for multiple format versions'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('rawFootage', {
label: 'Raw Footage Delivery',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$200 for all raw footage files'
}, '1fr');
});
deliverablesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('thumbnails', {
label: 'Custom Thumbnails (5 options)',
defaultValue: true,
tooltip: '+$100 for designed thumbnails'
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('behindScenes', {
label: 'Behind-the-Scenes Content',
defaultValue: false,
tooltip: '+$400 for BTS video/photos'
}, '1fr');
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20, showLine: true, lineStyle: 'dashed' });
// Cost Breakdown Section
const breakdownSection = form.addSubform('breakdown', { title: '📊 Cost Breakdown', isCollapsible: false });
breakdownSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('baseCost', {
label: 'Base Production Cost',
computedValue: () => {
const videoType = projectSection.dropdown('videoType')?.value() || 'promotional';
const duration = projectSection.dropdown('duration')?.value() || '2-3min';
const quality = projectSection.dropdown('quality')?.value() || 'standard';
const base = videoTypePrices[videoType] || 1500;
const durationMult = durationMultipliers[duration] || 1;
const qualityMults: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 0.7,
'standard': 1,
'professional': 1.5,
'cinematic': 2.2
};
return Math.round(base * durationMult * (qualityMults[quality] || 1));
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('preProductionCost', {
label: 'Pre-Production',
computedValue: () => {
let cost = 0;
const script = preSection.dropdown('scriptwriting')?.value() || 'basic';
const storyboard = preSection.dropdown('storyboard')?.value() || 'none';
const scriptPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'outline': 200, 'basic': 500, 'detailed': 1000, 'premium': 2000
};
const storyboardPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 150, 'detailed': 400, 'animated': 800
};
cost += scriptPrices[script] || 0;
cost += storyboardPrices[storyboard] || 0;
if (preSection.checkbox('locationScouting')?.value()) cost += 300;
if (preSection.checkbox('castingServices')?.value()) cost += 500;
return cost;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
});
breakdownSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('productionCost', {
label: 'Production (Crew & Equipment)',
computedValue: () => {
const shootDays = projectSection.integer('shootDays')?.value() || 1;
const crewSize = productionSection.dropdown('crewSize')?.value() || 'small';
const equipment = productionSection.dropdown('equipment')?.value() || 'standard';
const crewPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'solo': 400, 'small': 800, 'medium': 1500, 'large': 3000
};
const equipmentPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 200, 'standard': 500, 'professional': 1200, 'premium': 2500
};
let cost = (crewPrices[crewSize] + equipmentPrices[equipment]) * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('drone')?.value()) cost += 500 * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('teleprompter')?.value()) cost += 200 * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('liveStreaming')?.value()) cost += 800;
if (productionSection.checkbox('greenScreen')?.value()) cost += 400 * shootDays;
return cost;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('talentCost', {
label: 'Talent & Styling',
computedValue: () => {
const shootDays = projectSection.integer('shootDays')?.value() || 1;
const talentType = talentSection.dropdown('onCameraTalent')?.value() || 'none';
const talentCount = talentSection.integer('talentCount')?.value() || 0;
const talentPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'amateur': 100, 'professional': 500, 'celebrity': 2000
};
let cost = (talentPrices[talentType] || 0) * talentCount * shootDays;
if (talentSection.checkbox('voiceOver')?.value()) cost += 300;
if (talentSection.checkbox('hairMakeup')?.value()) cost += 400 * shootDays;
return cost;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
});
breakdownSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('postProductionCost', {
label: 'Post-Production',
computedValue: () => {
const duration = projectSection.dropdown('duration')?.value() || '2-3min';
const editingLevel = postSection.dropdown('editingLevel')?.value() || 'standard';
const revisions = postSection.integer('revisionRounds')?.value() || 2;
const music = postSection.dropdown('music')?.value() || 'stock';
const editingPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 300, 'standard': 600, 'advanced': 1200, 'premium': 2500
};
const musicPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'stock': 50, 'licensed': 350, 'custom': 1500
};
const durationMult = durationMultipliers[duration] || 1;
let cost = Math.round(editingPrices[editingLevel] * durationMult);
cost += musicPrices[music] || 50;
if (revisions > 2) cost += (revisions - 2) * 150;
if (postSection.checkbox('soundDesign')?.value()) cost += 400;
if (postSection.checkbox('subtitles')?.value()) cost += 100;
if (postSection.checkbox('translations')?.value()) cost += 300;
return cost;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('deliverablesCost', {
label: 'Additional Deliverables',
computedValue: () => {
let cost = 0;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('socialMediaCuts')?.value()) cost += 300;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('rawFootage')?.value()) cost += 200;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('thumbnails')?.value()) cost += 100;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('behindScenes')?.value()) cost += 400;
return cost;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
});
// Summary Section
const summarySection = form.addSubform('summary', {
title: '🎬 Total Production Cost',
isCollapsible: false,
sticky: 'bottom'
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('totalCost', {
label: 'Estimated Total',
computedValue: () => {
const videoType = projectSection.dropdown('videoType')?.value() || 'promotional';
const duration = projectSection.dropdown('duration')?.value() || '2-3min';
const quality = projectSection.dropdown('quality')?.value() || 'standard';
const shootDays = projectSection.integer('shootDays')?.value() || 1;
// Base cost
const base = videoTypePrices[videoType] || 1500;
const durationMult = durationMultipliers[duration] || 1;
const qualityMults: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 0.7, 'standard': 1, 'professional': 1.5, 'cinematic': 2.2
};
let total = Math.round(base * durationMult * (qualityMults[quality] || 1));
// Pre-production
const script = preSection.dropdown('scriptwriting')?.value() || 'basic';
const storyboard = preSection.dropdown('storyboard')?.value() || 'none';
const scriptPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'outline': 200, 'basic': 500, 'detailed': 1000, 'premium': 2000
};
const storyboardPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 150, 'detailed': 400, 'animated': 800
};
total += scriptPrices[script] || 0;
total += storyboardPrices[storyboard] || 0;
if (preSection.checkbox('locationScouting')?.value()) total += 300;
if (preSection.checkbox('castingServices')?.value()) total += 500;
// Production
const crewSize = productionSection.dropdown('crewSize')?.value() || 'small';
const equipment = productionSection.dropdown('equipment')?.value() || 'standard';
const crewPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'solo': 400, 'small': 800, 'medium': 1500, 'large': 3000
};
const equipmentPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 200, 'standard': 500, 'professional': 1200, 'premium': 2500
};
total += (crewPrices[crewSize] + equipmentPrices[equipment]) * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('drone')?.value()) total += 500 * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('teleprompter')?.value()) total += 200 * shootDays;
if (productionSection.checkbox('liveStreaming')?.value()) total += 800;
if (productionSection.checkbox('greenScreen')?.value()) total += 400 * shootDays;
// Talent
const talentType = talentSection.dropdown('onCameraTalent')?.value() || 'none';
const talentCount = talentSection.integer('talentCount')?.value() || 0;
const talentPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'amateur': 100, 'professional': 500, 'celebrity': 2000
};
total += (talentPrices[talentType] || 0) * talentCount * shootDays;
if (talentSection.checkbox('voiceOver')?.value()) total += 300;
if (talentSection.checkbox('hairMakeup')?.value()) total += 400 * shootDays;
// Post-production
const editingLevel = postSection.dropdown('editingLevel')?.value() || 'standard';
const revisions = postSection.integer('revisionRounds')?.value() || 2;
const music = postSection.dropdown('music')?.value() || 'stock';
const editingPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'basic': 300, 'standard': 600, 'advanced': 1200, 'premium': 2500
};
const musicPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'stock': 50, 'licensed': 350, 'custom': 1500
};
total += Math.round(editingPrices[editingLevel] * durationMult);
total += musicPrices[music] || 50;
if (revisions > 2) total += (revisions - 2) * 150;
if (postSection.checkbox('soundDesign')?.value()) total += 400;
if (postSection.checkbox('subtitles')?.value()) total += 100;
if (postSection.checkbox('translations')?.value()) total += 300;
// Deliverables
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('socialMediaCuts')?.value()) total += 300;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('rawFootage')?.value()) total += 200;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('thumbnails')?.value()) total += 100;
if (deliverablesSection.checkbox('behindScenes')?.value()) total += 400;
return total;
},
variant: 'large'
});
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('disclaimer', {
computedValue: () => 'Prices are estimates and may vary based on project complexity, location, and specific requirements. Contact us for a detailed quote.',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.85rem', 'color': '#64748b', 'text-align': 'center' }
});
});
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: 'Request Video Quote'
});
}
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect video production costs the most?
The biggest cost factors are production quality (crew size and equipment), shoot duration, and post-production complexity. A simple 1-day shoot with basic editing costs far less than a multi-day cinematic production with VFX.
How long does video production typically take?
Timeline varies by project complexity. A simple social media video might take 1-2 weeks total. A corporate video typically takes 3-4 weeks. Commercials and documentaries can take 2-3 months from concept to final delivery.
Should I provide my own script or have one written?
It depends on your expertise. Professional scriptwriting ensures your message is clear and engaging, but if you have marketing experience and know your audience well, providing your own script can reduce costs.
What's included in post-production costs?
Post-production includes video editing, color correction, audio mixing, music licensing, graphics/titles, and final export. Advanced packages include motion graphics, visual effects, and custom sound design.
Can I customize this calculator for my production company?
Yes! Adjust all pricing tiers, add your specific packages, and embed it on your website. It's perfect for giving clients instant estimates before detailed quotes.