Recently, Video Brewery posted an article entitled How Much Does an Explainer Video Cost?. The post mainly dealt with animated videos and left out an explanation of the costs to make live-action explainer videos. While animation can be a highly effective use of resources, at times you just really want that live-action piece to explain your product or service – often in hopes of creating a viral campaign (see the ubiquitous Dollar Shave Club for reference).
How Much Does a Live Action Explainer Video Cost?
As a video creator, I often run into potential clients who seem flabbergasted when I begin to discuss the costs. Perhaps many of them think that the check goes straight to my pocket (if only it were so) or that the industry is full of greedy creatives (sometimes true but normally just people trying to make an average living). To combat these misunderstandings, my intention here is to explain what costs to expect when making a video, what makes each element important for the video and how to make the best decision possible when choosing a vendor and budget for your video project.
So how much should a live action explainer video cost your company? $5,000? $15,000? $50,000? The answer (to the chagrin of many a marketing manager) could be any of those numbers and often runs much, much higher. Whether you’re creating a video for the homepage of your website or a broadcast television commercial, many of the same principles and costs apply. The right budget may not be the cheapest. You have a brand and company you are trying to build and having your cousin or a high-school buddy make the video for your cherished brand, while cheap, may not be the best option.
Costs Involved in Video Production
Before choosing a budget, it’s essential to understand where those costs come from in order to make the most informed decision possible. Of course, every project is different but it’s likely your project will include many (if not all) of the following costs.