What Should I Budget for my Video?

So you're ready to create a professional video—but the question you’re probably asking is: "How much should I budget?" The short answer is: it depends. The longer answer? It depends a lot. Video production isn’t one-size-fits-all. It ranges from small, fast-turnaround social clips to full-scale productions with scripting, drone work, actors, and multi-day shoots.

At Figure Four Productions, we work with all kinds of clients—from small businesses wanting a single branded video, to national companies launching a new product line. Pricing can range anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000+, and here's why.

Why Is There Such a Big Range?

1. Shoot Days

This is a major driver of cost. A single-day shoot with one videographer is obviously going to be less expensive than a multi-day production with a full crew. Think of shoot days like ingredients in a recipe—the more you add, the more it costs.

• 1-day shoot = budget-friendly, quick turnaround

• 2-3+ day shoot = more content, more flexibility, more storytelling power

2. Number and Type of Exports

Are you looking for:

• One 60-second promo for your website?

• A 90-second hero video plus reels for Instagram and TikTok?

• A series of training videos?

Each export adds time in the edit suite, and may require different aspect ratios, pacing, or even alternate scripts. The more you need, the more post-production work is involved—and that affects your budget.

3. Pre-Production and Strategy

This includes scripting, storyboarding, location scouting, casting, and planning your shoot to the smallest detail. If you need help from the ground up (and most businesses do), pre-production is where your investment pays off in clarity, creativity, and impact.

4. Crew Size & Equipment

A simple run-and-gun shoot might just need one videographer with a gimbal and a good camera. But for bigger shoots, we may bring in:

• A second shooter

• A drone operator

• A lighting tech

• High-end cinema cameras

Better gear and more crew help us create more polished, cinematic work—but it does increase the budget.

Getting the Most for Your Budget

Here’s where strategy matters. If you’re smart with planning, you can maximize your results with minimal shoot time.

Let’s say we shoot for a single day. With the right prep, we can film enough material to:

• Create a long-form video for your website

• Cut 2-3 shorter versions for social

• Capture B-roll to use in future projects

• Even pull a few high-res stills from the footage

This is what we call content stacking—shoot once, deliver many times. It's the best way to stretch your investment and build a consistent, professional presence across platforms.

The “You Get What You Pay For” Rule

At the end of the day, remember this: video is an investment, not an expense. If your goal is to stand out, drive conversions, and build trust with your audience, then your video needs to reflect that level of quality.

Yes, you can find someone to shoot a video for $500. But what corners are being cut? What’s the strategy? What’s the long-term value?

A well-produced video pays for itself over and over through increased engagement, better first impressions, and stronger brand recognition.

So… What Should You Budget?

If you’re a small business looking for a single-day shoot with 1-2 short edits, you’re probably looking at $1,000 to $3,000.

If you want a flagship brand video, social media versions, and a few days of shooting, expect somewhere in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.

Need a full campaign, multi-location shoots, scripting, and motion graphics? $15,000 to $20,000+ is realistic for that scale.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to break the bank to make an impact—but you do need to think strategically. Tell us what you’re trying to achieve, and we’ll build a custom quote that makes the most of your budget.

Ready to create something powerful? Let’s talk.