It all depends on the scale and type of the production. Here are some (very) rough estimates for video production houses based on video type best for your understanding and overall budgeting (HKD/min of product video):
Corporate video: $2,000 - $10,000/min (full copyright included)
Interview video: $200 (30+ mins) - $15,000 (celebrities)/min
Online Advertisement (e.g. YouTube): $20,000 - $80,000/min
Promotional video (basically a low-grade ad): $3,000 - $15,000/min
Event highlight video: $2,000 (1 camera setup) - $10,000 (4 camera setup)/min
The above numbers are a likely average of past productions for clients. Like manufacturing, every minute of output is usually cheaper when producing a longer video or more videos at once.
Obviously different production houses/videographers use vastly different workflows, but there is a strong correlation between your budget and the output quality. A comfortable budget and timetable can remove many restrictions on creativity and execution, leading to an outstanding video that can impress your potential customers.
It usually takes around 1-2 months for an average production to be completed. Do keep this in mind so that there is adequate time for the videomakers to fully develop the video concept at every stage.
Productions involve 3 stages -
Pre-production: Scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, location hunting, logistical planning, prop-building
Production: Set-building, lighting setup, shooting on location
Post-production: Editing, visual effects, graphics, color grading, sound mixing
The typical production lasts at least half a day, with the average being 2-3 days. Production times increase significantly once detailed lighting and location setup is required.
It is not uncommon to take far longer setting up than shooting. On average, one can expect to produce between 2 - 5 minutes of output video per day. This sounds very small, but when you consider the lighting, art design and logistics, these numbers would make a lot more sense.
A typical person may not know this, but editing is often (much) more time consuming than shooting. It is important to keep this in mind when planning videos so the final product is not rushed.
Smaller productions (under $50,000) typically require 4-7 working days to deliver the first cut for content preview, and then a few more days for subsequent adjustments based on client feedback. Depending on the level of editing and other adjustments (color grading, animation, audio mixing etc.), mid-sized productions ($50,000 - $500,000) can take up to a month after shooting to deliver the final product. Large productions may even take months to complete.
First and foremost, it is important to know the requirements and limitations on length of the platform on which the video will be published. The most straightforward example would be the length of your advertisement slot for television broadcast or YouTube. Another example would be the 1 minute limit on Instagram feed videos (and 10 minutes on IGTV for non-verified accounts).
A longer video is not always better. Most audiences nowadays tend to prefer fast-paced media, especially in Hong Kong. Therefore, it is recommended that videos aimed at the general public are kept as short as possible. For example, 30 seconds of concise, laymen content can interest far more people than a 10 minute interview. Of course - every case may be different and it is better to consult with professional content planners and marketers to determine the best duration for you.
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Here are some answers to questions that are frequently asked by our clients - There are many misconceptions around videomaking that may lead to
Hopefully this page can help you plan out your video better and know what to expect when you contact a production company or a freelancer.