Music video production is what our Orlando video production company Lasting Blueprint Productions does as a profession. We have done our best in serving independent artists in Florida and Georgia. Over our three years of producing music videos, countless of E-Mails and phone calls have poured in asking, “How much do you charge for a music video?” Truth be told, there is not a simple answer to that question. In fact, if you are asking that very question, you may not be ready to send in an inquiry yet to any respectable music video production company. In order to help you invest wisely and safely, we would like to address a few specifics for your consideration prior to committing to the creation of a music video.
Before jumping into the world of music video production, consider the following before submitting your first inquiry. Assure that your music video concept is viable, workable, and realistic! Creative accomplishment is nothing without a good plan—those hoping to add visuals to their music must be well acquainted with their material and desires prior to asking for help from others in order to assure a satisfactory financial venture. If deciding all of that seems a bit overwhelming, take into the account the following: many music videos have stemmed from the idea of a basic, “been there, done-that” formula. It is the same method with producing songs. How many tracks do you hear on the radio that sound exactly like a big time hit? Ideas are everywhere, and it is certainly not out of line to take your time and make use of examples. Once you have what you want down pat, it is time to consider the budget.
What’s a music video production budget, you ask? It is the amount of money you desire or want to spend on putting together your music video production. If you do not have a tangible budget in-place, we cannot (nor any other trustworthy service) help you out. We will be the last company to produce a music video on your behalf and then bill you afterwards. Underestimating and jumping into the unknown is a big risk, and nobody will be happy by the end of it! You might initially struggle with understanding what costs go into a quality music video production, and wonder what type of cash you will have to settle for forking over: herein lies another problem. Do not settle for less! Make an investment you feel confident in receiving a great marketing return on. A professional music video project requires planning, execution, and commitment. Depending on your needs along with your provided budget, our Orlando music video production company will in turn provide you with an individualized starting rate.
Whether or not your project will be a go or a bust depends heavily on the budget and corresponding realism of your music video’s desired outcome. Just like any other project, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it! True quality assurance comes with a mature input of assets and priority.
Your Story: Can it be Told?
Consider a well put-together script, perfectly executable and understandable to those who will be working on your music video project. If you do not have one, will you leave the brainstorming up to the production company? A chosen theme must be balanced realistically with what will make you satisfied and to what financially will be committed to the production. Remain open-minded for reality checks and change. A 5k budget will not cover a $2,300-per night fee to stay at The Setai Miami Beach Hotel, for instance. In fact, it does not even seem feasible to afford staying near the set let alone paying for a production crew’s assistance. Seeming out of luck? Consider another hotel, the local parks, renting out a house that can be decoratively fleshed out to your liking. If such a setting is crucial to the execution of your story, consider elsewhere or prioritize your finances put into the project.
Location, Location, Location!
Where your video is taking place is essential for both your crew and ours to be aware of! Street corner, mansion rental, a restaurant, the subway- regardless of your dream, practicality must come into play. While some location choices may seem significantly simpler than others, there is usually a cost involved through multiple mediums. Oftentimes, getting permits to film in an area, fulfilling dates and deadline for schedules, and paying money to film are among hidden concerns that do not occur to the elementary budding music videographer. “Just hanging around the corner store for an hour” is not enough time to get a solid music video production done, let alone complete a single day of filming. Time and taking up space is money, so choose your set wisely!
The Music Video Production Tools
Even a simple HD music video production involves in the use of a high quality camera, lighting, and video editing. Do not just assume because you want something bare bones that the equipment used will be the same. There are varieties of high quality camera options available. All shoot video digitally, but each has different functionalities. You also have to include equipment accessories such as lighting, lenses, jib’s, and dolly’s, which all add to the budget costs. Operational prices vary for every piece of equipment involved.
YOUR Film Crew
How impressive and rich the experience and outcome of producing a music video is often determined by the quality of every individual engaged within and outside of your production. This is one of the important and most expensive areas of your music video production. Most people in film and video charge day rates to work on productions. We use half and day rates for crew members. One person may be enough to shoot the video, but a crew full of energy, secondary opinions, ideas, and innovation may get the job done more efficiently. Don’t have too much of an idea of who you need to hire? We will give you some insight on what freelance Orlando crew members potentially charge and the bare-minimum that you SHOULD at least have included with a music video production:
Director: $700
Producer: $500
Director of Photography/Camera Operator: $500
Gaffer: $300
Production Assistant: $75
Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe: $400
We have not even covered other aspects of what your crew may need such as Assistant Directors, Camera Assistants, and Grip. Then you have talent casting, choreography, rentals, and props.
As you can see, your budget decides the number of people that are going to work on your music video as well as the time put into it.
How long is the music video production going to take to shoot?
You think you have it all figured out. In fact, you have your crew, a fantastic script and location set…things should move as smooth as butter, right? Wrong! Even Hollywood film productions take months due to common mishaps and incidental needs or ideas, no matter their preparatory expertise. Music videos take time! Consider feeding your crew, moving everyone place to place, preparing, fixing mistakes, and cleaning up. Multiple takes are going to be needed in order to edit together a quality piece. This is not a one or two hour process.
Food and Snacks during shoot
We have mentioned this before, but it is probably among the most important things a crew needs: fuel! How can you go on working without the benefits of coffee and a bit of lunch to carry through the eight-hour day? Energy of the mind and body will be utilized by your crew and even yourself—keep everyone happy and productive. Food may seem more incidental, but you must take care of those who will make the magic happen.
Post-production
You have finally overcome the video production shooting process. If that was all it took and a video was automatically generated according to your visions and shots, we would do it for you! Post-production is crucial in making your video a modern masterpiece that is carefully and professionally executed. Think about editing out the part where you messed up lyrics to your song, color grading, compositing, animations (if necessary), intros and credits…some post-producers bill on an hourly basis anywhere from $75/hr to $150/hr and some bill a flat rate. Regardless, your final result depends heavily on this aspect, so find someone you trust and invest well!
You are probably thinking to yourself “I had no idea a music video cost this much” or “I don’t need all of this. I will just post an ad on Craigslist and get someone to shoot my video for $150.” Honestly, we are not trying to scare you away! Lasting Blueprint Productions wants you to aspire in producing a durable video you will be proud of for years to come and have invested well in. Making a good investment is crucial on both your end and ours—the project needs to make sense and have some sense put into it, too. We are growing along with you—we have been around for three years, and what it takes is not easy. Don’t cut corners, innovate and please your loyal fans! Making Worldstar Hip-Hop should not be your goal with a music video. Think BET and MTV (the sub channels that play videos). If we have helped you figure this music video thing out, give this Orlando video production company a chance and let us bring your music video production to life!
This is great!
Really interesting
You seriously need to write for bigger blogs than just your own. Your information is detailed and your writing style is easy to understand. Great post!
Thank you for the nice comments Michelle. I will have to see what I can do about that!
Wow, you do great work!
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Great post!