So you have your heart set on a fancy new video for your business. You pull up the search engine, type in ‘Video Production Cambridge,’ and up pops a list of video production companies, all claiming they can deliver what you need. You rummage through portfolios, strategies, descriptions of what they do, and how they help—it all looks great. The only problem? You have no idea how much it’s going to cost you.

Sadly, the chance of finding a price on a video production website is rare. It would be wonderful to have a basket where you could add everything you want in your video, along with the costs associated with each item. Your total comes to £1000. Click “Buy Now,” and the process begins. Perhaps in a parallel universe.

So how much does a corporate video actually cost in a city like Cambridge? Let’s find out.

Why Is There So Much Mystery Around Pricing for Video?

There is something in particular that should probably be addressed, something that people who are unfamiliar with how videos are made often fail to recognize: production value.

It may seem obvious, but it’s rare for someone outside the video/film industry to use the term “production value.” People may have ideas about what they want to include in their video, the information they wish to convey, or specific elements they want to showcase. However, they rarely consider the production value itself. This oversight is often why video pricing can seem so mysterious.

Let me give you an example. A 30-second perfume advert could easily be made for £10,000. Now, imagine if you went to your video provider and said, “I’d like you to make a 30-second advert for my perfume fragrance, it should include a handsome man holding the perfume talking into the camera.” They might respond, “Great, we can do that for you; we estimate it would cost around £10,000.” But then you turn around and say, “Hold on… I want Brad Pitt in it.” Suddenly, your £10,000 video has now jumped to £7 million, for the same 30-second duration. The only difference is the production value.

This same factor applies to corporate video production, which is why video companies don’t throw around exact numbers for content on their websites. Imagine if a company advertised a 30-second training video for £1,000. You might then expect your 30-second training video to be filmed on a mountaintop overlooking a fjord in the Scottish Highlands, rather than in your two-person office somewhere outside Cambridge. You see the point. And yes, Brad Pitt was indeed paid 7 million dollars for a 30-second Chanel ad.

The Basics of Corporate Video Pricing in Cambridge

Now you understand why video production companies don’t advertise fixed pricing on their websites. It’s primarily a way for them to protect themselves from unforeseen costs during production. However, there are fundamental pricing stages that all companies use when providing you with a quote for your next video project.

Factors Influencing Video Production Cost:

Concept Development, Scriptwriting, Storyboarding

Let’s start from the beginning. One common assumption people make when they want a video for their business is that they’re only paying for the video content itself. However, the reality is that the filming stages can often be the least time-consuming, and it’s actually the planning stages that make up a significant part of the budget. It would be incredibly rare to just show up on the day with zero discussion or concept planning in advance and start filming. Filming what, exactly? If your corporate video requires a script or some form of narrative that hasn’t been discussed or developed, then you simply won’t have a video to film. Brainstorming ideas takes time and manpower, and your video production provider will charge you by the day for this process.

Depending on the size of the company you are working with and the number of people involved, you can typically expect to pay around £400 a day for this part of the production. This price could increase significantly if you require a “writers’ room” full of people to develop your video idea. Additionally, there are professionals who specialize solely in storyboarding; these are called storyboard artists, and they don’t come cheap. If your production requires detailed storyboards, then you can expect your video provider to outsource this task and include the cost in your quote. This could easily double the concept development pricing stage for your production.

Locations

As mentioned earlier, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding location choice is crucial and will consume a significant portion of the budget for any production. Corporate videos in Cambridge are typically tech-centered or academically based. If your company can film in your own office spaces or you have an appealing backdrop, such as a view over the River Cam and the colleges, then you’re likely to save on costs by using what’s available to you. If you’re not so fortunate, you’ll need to find a filming space. Your video provider will probably have their go-to spots for great locations and will know the best studio spaces available for rent. The cost for these types of locations can range from £80 per day to £800 per day, or sometimes even more. Don’t forget that even outside spaces sometimes require permits or licenses to film. These are hidden additional costs that can easily be a few hundred pounds extra.

Casting

Chances are, if you’re seeking a corporate video for your business, you won’t need Brad Pitt, and your video won’t cost £7 million. However, if you’re producing training videos or explainer videos, you might need to look beyond your company for the ‘talent’ to perform. Cambridge boasts a wealth of performing arts groups and a rich talent pool, and it’s also close to London, which offers even more options. Most corporate videos can be shot in just a couple of days, so calculating costs for actors is relatively straightforward. But how much do actors cost? While it’s unlikely that Hollywood has come calling for those willing to work at a day rate in corporate films, that doesn’t mean they don’t value their time. Equity rates for actors can be quite high, depending on the budget, some will expect between £300-£500 a day. However, many part-time actors would be content with £120 to £200 per day, making these figures a more practical basis for budgeting.

Filming Crew

Let’s not overlook the people behind the camera. These men and women have typically spent years mastering the fundamentals of filmmaking and honing their skills to avoid the amateur mistakes that can cheapen the look of a video. After all, the last thing you want when promoting your company is a video that looks inexpensive, even if you’re hoping to keep costs down. Most video production companies in Cambridge will employ a team of skilled videographers or industry professionals who will show up on the shoot day ready to manage production. These experts usually have their own specific rates, which might not be immediately apparent.

Expect to pay around £1,200 as a day rate for a videographer and production sound mixer; this figure can vary, but it’s a good ballpark estimate. Some crew members might also offer half-day rates, but realistically, these are nearly non-existent. It’s incredibly rare to manage two shoots in one day. By the time you’ve performed equipment checks, driven to the location, filmed, packed up, returned home, and backed up the footage, you’ve essentially put in a full day’s work.

Corporate videos in Cambridge typically don’t require large teams, and it’s common for just a two-person crew to handle most jobs. However, if your project requires more specialized lighting and grip setups, be prepared for a larger crew and higher costs!

Equipment Costs

This aspect of a cost breakdown is often unfamiliar to those outside the video production industry, which contributes to the mysteriousness of video costs. Most corporate videos for tech companies and businesses in Cambridge, whether promotional, educational, or training, use specific types of cameras that are well-suited for this kind of filmmaking. Video production companies in Cambridge typically use similar grade cameras, such as the Sony FX3, FX6, or FX9, the Canon C70, C300, or C500, or perhaps a Blackmagic camera. These models are all excellent for the task at hand. However, occasionally, a company might request the same high-end equipment used to film the latest Netflix hit, not realizing the additional costs this could incur for the production.

The difference between renting a Sony FX6 for the day and an Arri Alexa Mini could be £1000, per day! The reality is, you probably wont be able to tell the difference either. That’s not to say that the expensive camera isn’t better than the cheap one, it’s just that it’s designed to be used with a big crew and big lights and lots of other expensive things. Do you really need that for your training video in Cambridge? Probably not. That money could be better spent on other parts of your video.

What can you expect to pay for all the equipment your video production provider brings? It’s common for them to charge a day rate for video, sound, and grip equipment, typically offering a discount of around 20% compared to what a rental company might charge. You can expect to see equipment rental costs ranging from £500 to £1,000 on your quote. However, if you’re set on using something like an Arri Alexa Mini, prepare for those costs to be higher.

Editing

Just as with the production phase, there is also a post-production day rate. This typically applies to video editing, which can take several days depending on the project’s size. Most video production companies have their own designated video editors who sift through footage, organize it, and shape the video to ensure it has a coherent narrative.

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you can expect to pay anywhere from £300 to £600 per day for editing. If you’re quoted four days of editing for your project, you can see how quickly costs can add up.

A common misconception among those unfamiliar with video production is that the length of the video doesn’t affect the cost. In reality, the more footage there is, the longer it takes to edit. The time spent reviewing and organizing footage, selecting the best takes, and refining the narrative all add up, increasing that costly thing… time!

Equally, just because the video is short, doesn’t neccesarily mean the editing process will be quicker. Arguably the shorter the video, the harder it is to edit. Every shot has to count, it may require a more stylised edit as you cant hold on shots for as long, and you have to deliver a coherent message in a much faster timeframe which can be far more challenging to achieve.

Colour and Sound

It’s unlikely that a video production company would outsource the color grading process to a specialist facility for a corporate video in Cambridge, as the cost would be prohibitively high and generally unnecessary for such projects.

The same holds true for sound design. Outsourcing to specialist sound design teams would significantly increase the cost of a video. Realistically, for corporate video projects, both color grading and sound design are typically handled in-house by your video provider. These processes are usually included in the editing costs, though additional fees may apply for more sophisticated applications.

If you require music, bare in mind, your video provider will pay a monthly or yearly membership fee to use license free music in your video. This is normally charged around £50 on your qoute.

Motion Graphics and Animations

If you want a really cheap video, stop reading now. The inclusion of motion graphics and animations can dramatically increase the cost of a corporate video. These elements are not only time-consuming but also require a high level of technical skill to execute effectively. Pricing can be challenging because the term “motion graphics” is vague… do you need a simple title, an intricate animation, fast transitions, a logo animation, or perhaps a detailed explainer about our solar system? While a simple lower third might take minimal time, a complex motion graphic explainer could require extensive man-hours.

The truth is, motion graphics can range anywhere from a few hundred £££’s to thousands of ££££’s depending on their complexity. For instance, a tech company in Cambridge looking to create a promotional video about a new scientific development might spend between £1,000 and £2,000 to incorporate sophisticated graphic elements alongside talking heads and some B-roll footage. A big tech company could spend £50,000… just sayin’.

So How Much Does a Corporate Video Cost?

Well… how long is a piece of string?

I know I know! Not the answer you were looking for. I could tell you a corporate video in Cambridge costs £7,540 but if there’s just one of you in your office and you need a 30 second shot of you talking under a lamp and nothing else you might feel a bit ripped off. Equally if you want Brad Pitt, I don’t think he will show up for your explainer video.

The point is, you’re more than likely able to make a corporate video for a few thousand pounds, but when you need more sophisticated elements and want that pesky thing known as ‘production value’ to be higher, just remember that the costs will go up. The best thing to do is to have a budget in mind and talk to your video provider about what you can afford and what you hope to realistically achieve.

With your budget in mind, they will deliver a video that meets your expectations.