What To Charge For Video Production [REAL NUMBERS]

[@LizziePeirce]

Tag your video production companies below so I can peak what you're working on!

[@lovefirst6157]

Why does Liz sound so sad

[@LizziePeirce]

@@lovefirst6157 I missed lunch

[@DannyBligh]

Oh Crop Media! Need to get the website updated, but been doing a lot for the new Land Rover Defender. Fun times! Hope you're good!

[@LifeOfInsamity]

We See Productions :)

[@HuyRebel]

Huyrebel😊

[@denver_video]

I love the timeless standards discussed - rates are highly variable, correlated with value delivery, experience helps us all find the way. Thanks for specifics! Great video.

[@danielschiffer]

That thumbnail tho!!!

[@mohammedfadhil_]

Lol my 💡 idea

[@LizziePeirce]

thanks friend!

[@codyaustin869]

Definitely gold.

[@tbm5k]

Heeeeyy Daniel 😃😃😃😃

[@RehmanPiyas]

That thumbnail is sick 😪

[@ChuckFranco]

The video that i need! no BS, no crazy long ass intro just straight to the point. love it. Thank you guys!

[@IanCollMedia]

Soooo I shot a corporate internal communications video for Air Canada Rouge. I was on site for about 5 hours and edited for about 5. Drove 45 mins to Pearson International Airport and brought my own gear and lights. Only charged $1000. Whoops. No wonder they said yes to my proposal so quickly bahahaha Time start charging my what I’m worth! No more lowering my rates out of fear of rejection! Thanks Chris and Lizzie!

[@levigourdie699]

I know that feel!

[@jmanchester]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@desotaku5202]

That's still not the worst. My first job was a kino commercial for a club for 350€ (~400$) He shook my hand so fast, i didn't even see his hand coming haha. After all the struggle (if you sell yourself so cheap, they will treat you as low as you valued yourself) i recalculate what i needed to take and now I'm at about 2.5k, quite the jump lol

[@baubergo]

@@desotaku5202 where do you live in Europe? 🙂

[@desotaku5202]

@@baubergo Germany

[@thechrishau]

*Just agree and nod* haha. Thanks for bringing so much value to this community :) This was such a game changing tool for our company.

[@ebatatas]

Highly dependent on country and city, but you still get a like for getting those numbers out when no when else wants to.

[@vito9087]

Very true I have a tough time getting people to pay me over 300 for my videos. Sadly people think a camera phone is just as good as what we videographers do.

[@danielhorvathofficial]

yeah especially in eastern-europe :(((

[@liceafilms]

Yep, most people outside a city won’t be charging those prices.

[@imiy]

@@vito9087 so let them shoot videos on their phones and see the truth 🤷🏻

[@1NebraskaPyro]

@@vito9087 Exactly

[@ZachMRutledge]

Your market also helps dictate your rates. A pro shooter with gear in my markers can charge between $1200-$1800/day. Our editing rate is $150/hr.

[@onedayatatime-godsministry8891]

The way She looks at him when he's talking 🤩

[@LizziePeirce]

like he should shut up so I can talk again? jks hahahahhah

[@queerfoto]

I was thinking the same.

[@IndyVisuals]

Creepy

[@ProfessorBStudios]

You guys are some of the best in being transparent and real about the industry. Thank you for that.

[@Onyeubanatu]

The way you two look at yourselves, magical.

[@HelselMark]

Numbers seem pretty accurate overall, the one thing is the Semi Pro -> Pro nomenclature. The vast majority of DPs aren't charging $3k/day labor. And the DPs that are charging $2k/day aren't "SemiPro" by any means, their pro.

[@prolightmedia2857]

I think this number is for a production company overall and not an individual but I could be wrong.

[@JoshChappell]

Client's either go with my day rate or pay their uncles brothers cousins son's best friend in the junior high drama class fifty bucks to pull a fast one.

[@OmarOmarOmar]

There's always an uncle bob in the family who will do it for free

[@invi_carlos]

I have heard about so many uncle Sammies and the cousin who just bought a drone who can do it for cheaper. 🤣

[@ajaysinghkarki8516]

I love the way lizzie looks at him when he is talking🤩

[@SidsDrakon]

This was very helpful. This is an amazing guide in how you could price your work. Also the Chris zoom commentary text 🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is gold.

[@anelfnamedghost4128]

I thought I was already subscribed. I was not. Complications arose and soon were overcome. I am now subscribed.

[@emmanuelebole325]

Best video of the year. Hands down. Thanks Chris and Liz.

[@namanmanchanda9880]

I just wish Clients here in my country could understand the value of service we provide them.

[@AdamWebb]

That is another way of selling your service. Value based pricing. How much value are you bringing to their business with your work?

[@butcherscotch]

Indian? xD

[@mnvshr]

Plus one.

[@cintsscha5899]

In mine too.

[@chethankodenkiri2825]

Indian? Understandable have great day

[@Aaron_Smith_OM]

Jesus Christ. I recently sat down and broke out what I should be charging for videography and editing and I was spot on with you guys! It took 3 years to understand it but it's there! Thanks for the video and confirmation. Be well.

[@MrBaez-js6jd]

Give my boy some elbow space damn!! Lol 😂

[@thejacobbunn]

I appreciate the genuine advice, it feels so nice to get exact numbers rather than vague terms

[@Cap7ure_1]

The trickest part for me is, I can work out from this video what to charge to the point where it has helped me a lot to improve my prices. At the same time customers will all think it's too expensive. On top of that videographers who explain to me how much I should charge and it's way more lower than what the actual market should be

[@AntonWongVideo]

Wow! Actual numbers! I don't see too many videos with actual numbers so THANK YOU GUYS! Also, Are these numbers in both CAD and USD? You guys work and do taxes in CAD but you also have a huge US audience. and what do you do when you have American clients? That would be very helpful!

[@LukeHilby]

From my experience I highly recommend project based rates over hourly rates. First of all: the client doesn't care about how many hours you need. They just want a good estimate and a fair price. And second of all: if you are quicker than expected you get much better pay. But it can also go the other direction: more work than expected will lead to an effectively lower hourly rate on your side. Everything comes with experience. These videos are helpful for beginners to get a starting point, though.

[@baubergo]

I agree 100%! Not only that, if you charge per hour, bad clients can annoy and disturb you by asking to make it fast money-wise, and this pressure is just awful.

[@JohnnyYoungMedia]

Love this and you guys. YOU BOTH have helped me so much, my business is just getting going however Ive been an editor for 10+ years and came into the shooting/filming process with a leg up. With the extra help from you and Chris (as well as the dope squad and a few others) Im booking up more and more each month. THANK YOU for ALL that you guys do! Cheers from LA! - Johnny

[@katiewilkinson5593]

I love learning how others share their business knowledge, thank you guys😌🙌

[@shankuwanku9174]

Thank you so much for this informational video!!🙏 the link below to the template doesn't seem to work😔

[@NorthPoleRacing]

Just purchased! Thank you! Can't wait to use it.

[@NorthMaybe]

Great Information. Too many times videos like this side stem the actual answers, great to see real Info..

[@hunterchall]

So, this was very helpful!

[@TheJessCasonBrand]

This video helped me so much, I am literally just now getting started in my business. Thank you!

[@ariruishalme4403]

I have had my hands on cameras now about 1,9years. I do everything myself. Planning, scripting, video, editing etc.. I think I am a semi level.. like not pro yet but goin that way.. I have gh5 , a7iii and 2 lenses for both.. gimbal some lights etc . . I charge a company video 700+taxes.. wedding film plus photos 1000+taxes Music videos 500+taxes... These are per day ... Editing comes with the price.

[@marcelpavlovic5700]

Important thing to say is that this prices includes only for some regions in the world... definetly not for mine

[@rossbodenmann]

Solid video. As someone who's been doing professional photography for 10+ years and predator packages for boutique film production the last 3 or so I concur with these ball park figuires.

[@christianreedcreative]

Super helpful guys. Subscribed and excited to see more of your videos!!

[@Freemusic623]

This is the video I've been looking for Thanks for creating this video.

[@auroraremote2104]

Thanks guys, this reinforced that my pricing was accurate to my experience. Ill be great someday like you.

[@jeremysmith8772]

Really helpful advice. When I started in 2003, I just emailed some videographers for advice. This video is exactly what I would have needed back then (if KZbin had existed)

[@caleblabord8551]

This was super helpful and easy to understand! Thanks so much! Doing a video promo this week and needed some guidance on how to price, this has made all the difference! Thanks!

[@sunpreetsinghdhanjal7151]

this would really help me ... thank you so much guys !!

[@itsmetonylei2540]

I put a budget together for one of my national clients. $410k for a 90 sec spot. Production ate up most of the money, with sets, CGI and pro team. Those projects my favourites!

[@JS-rh6cs]

Can you show it

[@crispinnnn]

I really like this couples content they help freelancers and beginners how to start their business

[@amandiovdc7880]

Another great video Lizzie! You both are amazing

[@KevinP-i4k]

wow, the video I needed! I just started my editing career (7 months in) and have no idea what to charge clients. I worked with a client and charged him $15/hr and soon realized I should have been charging a bit more, at least $20, but to me it was money and I was out of a job, so I said why not. Shortly after that, I was asked about how much I charge an hour, I said $25/hr...crickets...crickets... no one replied back

[@Beingintheworld-x6i]

Just editing is a little limited though,big you make videos too you will get more clients

[@Kamil-rt9tl]

Excellent video guys! SUPER helpful, thank you!

[@ZachRamelan]

SOOOO USEFUL!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@tuckerkanderson]

Straight to the point. Love that.

[@grooveecard]

Great info! Don't remember you discussing it in the vid, but were you quoting Canadian $ or USD?.

[@LCVFilms]

YEEESS!!! Thank you for making this video, I bought the templates and they will be so helpful moving forward now with budgeting and estimates, thank you so much Lizzie and Chris :D :D :D

[@MrEddieNunez]

my favorite KZbin couple. Well you guys and Becki & Chris!

[@NomadUnbroken]

Fondue, I didn’t pick the latest video because i recognized this guy from somewhere, lol. Plus I’m so glad i seen this.

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

Thanks for the vid! Unfortunately it seems that the page is no longer hosted on your site

[@ericallnight]

Location matters too because different areas can have higher/lower rates. So, do research for your area. When you grow and start hiring others on a contract bases to be part of a production (shooting or post), it's important to factor in their rates and the time it will take you to manage them.

[@FrankDiNardi]

I feel like these numbers are very very real. It’s exactly what I charged going along with my career so far

[@KevinHilding]

This video is amazing! Because just what I needed because my videography business is starting to come to life and a few project are coming up that I need to price. Thank you! 🙏

[@thatssotrieu]

10/10 on the thumbnail!

[@BaileyDDockendorff]

Appreciate the quality content you guys!

[@NeilEvery]

Thank you for highlighting what our craft is actually worth. I wish the new folks coming in (and even some of the vets...) could see this. When we undervalue ourselves we set a precedent for those hiring us that hurts everyone else in our business and lowers the accepted market value.

[@joshjamison]

This was super helpful, thanks guys!!!

[@lostboysvideovault]

This is VERY helpful for a beginner like myself. Thank you very much!

[@412foto]

my go to guy for video (produces/shooots/edits) in our area for nonprofit work charges us $1000/finished minute of video. He seems to be the most reasonable in our offer and has round 30 Emmy's to his credit.

[@GoBeforeYouDont]

Great video Lizzie. Really helpful to have actual numbers to reference. Have you guys every filmed weddings in the past? I'd love to hear your thoughts on wedding videography at some point.

[@vrandatandon3790]

this was really helpful and to the point. THANK YOU for making this!!

[@itsjonathanwade]

Ooohhhhh, I know you guys are mainly video but was hoping the bundle I just bought included stuff for photography too. WHOOPS. Thanks for sharing though!

[@nyfyne]

Please skip to 2:30

[@jeffvillanova]

Thank you so much. It is so helpful, please do a photography version 😁

[@PremiereGal]

Love the intro! Great tips. Chris Do has some great tips on how to charge based on the client and how much impact the final product will make. Will you charge the same for an NGO project vs a large corporation? Maybe, but it all depends on the scope, your time, and impact ;-)

[@shandizzoddexposurephotogr4821]

Appreciate it u guys now I know better 🔥💯🤞🏾

[@ReepaMedia]

great video and interesting to find out i'm an intermediate videographer when i still feel like a beginner

[@jasonbullockfilms]

Video starts at @ 2:43

[@mq4702]

Love the content! I needed this!

[@IglastyFilm]

Thats so helpfull, i was underpricing :D

[@imiy]

Hey, I don't like to charge just for my time and expenses for a fixed price project. What about value this video provides them? I think it should depend on who where how and for what will use that video.

[@Milan-cf1xe]

Yeah you are right but how do i determine the value?

[@imiy]

@@Milan-cf1xe what I mean, I wouldn't charge a multi-million client my regular hourly rate.

[@disclosed.account4091]

This is very useful, thank you guys so much for making this video!

[@MattSezer]

Virtually nobody at the semipro or above levels is going to call themselves a “videographer.” I know people with rates well within the intermediate level who would get mad if you called them a “videographer” instead of a “director of photography.” Personally, I don’t care what people call me as long as they’re paying the proper rate. Also, anybody who makes a living off creating videos is technically a professional, which would be theoretically possible with anybody who charges rates above the “beginner” category in your model. Frequency of work matters a lot too. In a year, I’ll make more than some people I know with higher day rates because I have recurring clients that give me multiple projects every month.

[@emmarijsman04]

Sooo helpfull thankyou❤️❤️

[@djdavidbraz]

Super valuable info. Thank you. Kinda going through that myself, especially difficult during this pandemic.

[@BogdanFrunza11]

I'm doing videos just like a hobby for now, uploading them on youtube so I keep going and get better at them, but I still watched this, you gotta be prepared 😄

[@Steph_davis]

Truth! Just doing it for the love

[@RessurrectionGraves]

THANK YOU so much for this video.

[@Genbastudio]

Great video guys, really useful. Thanks for sharing

[@andyoftheyear]

"A little bit.." Lol thats awesome, great video. 🤙

[@trivers757]

Hey ! Im just staring out as a videographer and i have some basic skills in editing as well. How much should i charge my client for a whole day shooting session and the editing of the video ? I work with a phone (I shoot in 4k60fps/8k24fps) with a medium class gimbal (Zhiyun Smooth 5). I also have an extension rod for drone like shots. I stay at the shooting site all day (7-10 hours). I use gimbal techniques and other shooting methods (timelapse) to improve the quality of the footage as well of course. When Im done there is usually a lot of footage so i sort out the best ones and edit them into a 3-10 minute video. In the editing part i don't use effects or transitions that much but Im good with syncing the video with the audio of music. After the video is done I usually make a KZbin thumbnail as well for the client. 1. How much should i charge for the hours of shooting ? (With gimbal, so better quality) 2. How much should i charge for the hours of editing ? (With simple cuts/ transitions and music audio sync)

[@nomadcompany]

Lizzie is a stunner.....

[@market-mastery-pro]

this was extremely helpful. thanks guys

[@PrettyJuls]

When he’s pointing why didn’t you have a link to the video and I can’t find the video anywhere and it’s very frustrating!!!

[@chriszayachkowski6198]

Thanks for posting. Very useful info.

[@ksnbeats]

Str8 to the point! Thanks 4 this 👏🏾

[@matthewwolf9956]

Can you do a stills photography only video? Maybe outlining your budget planner? I'm moving in roughly 10 months and when I get toy next location I would like to turn a hobby into extra cash.

[@simonwyndham]

Wow, I know some experienced camera ops who do BBC and other broadcast work who struggle to get paid the beginner/intermediate rates listed here. I've been a lighting camera op and video producer for 25 odd years, and even back at the height of budgets in the mid-2000's an experienced lighting cameraman would still be one of the lucky ones to get £500-£600 per day inc gear. Some top guys could push £700-800, but for most people that bubble burst a long time ago. I got out for the most part because it was getting to the point where clients complained at £250 per day including broadcast quality gear. Even the official BECTU (British freelancers union) recommended day rate is £600 per 10 hr day for a major motion picture (budget of £30m+ and obviously kit not required). Work on a television drama and the rate drops to £420 per 10hr day. So the idea of charging £3k per day unless your name is Roger Deakins is a bit, umm, hopeful! It's also interesting how you've broken things up into beginner, intermediate, and professional. If someone is making a living from their work then they are by definition a professional. It's possibly a bit insulting to insinuate that people who may be doing this for a living and working for $500 per day are somehow just intermediates, and not professionals. Anyone who is making $500 per day is most certainly not a beginner/intermediate. Particularly given the official union references above. Unfortunately it's turned into a buyers market no matter how much 'value' you bring to the table as a creative. There's just so many people doing it. It's all about the ROI, engagement and actions these days much more so than producing lovely visuals.

[@ChrisRawls]

This was super helpful!

[@mandy]

I feel extremely validated in my pricing, and I needed that haha

[@manaiamedia]

Super Helpful! Thank You!

[@THEFOODDEE]

The link to the template doesn’t work

[@caedensmilde336]

I love this. Could you also do this for photography?

[@Roman.the.explorer]

Thank you for being super straight forward.

[@EliasMendozaTV]

Very useful information thank you

[@kylerk343]

I always have the issue of ok well what do you want to the client. Because idk do you want to shoot this in your backyard or do you want the Chicago symphony orchestra behind you? Obviously I can bring it down but they are always like 👍🏻 k what’s your rate then they ask for stupid amounts of things then back out.

[@cheftuan]

Thank you for this video!

[@MsAndreaskastrup]

Awesome, did you also make a video on the differences in prices compared to the size of the companies?

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Let's be honest, we all secretly love Lizzie. (Chris, don't take it personal😂)

[@LizziePeirce]

ily

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

@@LizziePeirce ily more 😂