Music Video Budget Calculator

Plan and budget your music video production from concept to final delivery.

Calculator

1Production Schedule

1 day

Crew and equipment costs multiply by shoot days

2Production Line Items

Pre-Production

$5,300
Director
$
Concept Development
$
Location Scouting
$
Storyboarding
$
Casting
$

Production Crew

$4,150
Director of Photography
$
Camera Operator
$
Gaffer (Lighting)
$
Grip
$
Production Assistant
$
Makeup Artist
$
Wardrobe Stylist
$

Equipment

$2,300
Camera Package
$
Lighting Package
$
Drone/Aerial
$
Gimbal/Steadicam
$
Special Effects Gear
$

Location & Set

$2,800
Location Rental
$
Set Design
$
Props
$
Permits
$

Post-Production

$3,500
Video Editor
$
Color Grading
$
Visual Effects (VFX)
$
Motion Graphics
$

3Additional Costs

Catering
$
Transportation
$
Insurance
$
Contingency (10%)$1,955

4Budget Summary

Pre-Production$5,300
Production Crew$4,150
Equipment$2,300
Location & Set$2,800
Post-Production$3,500
Other$1,500
Subtotal$19,550
Contingency (10%)$1,955
Total Budget$21,505

5Budget Tier

DIY/Indie
$1K - $5K
Semi-Pro
$5K - $15K
Professional
$15K - $50K
Full crew, quality equipment, post-production
Major Label
$50K - $150K+

💡 Budget Tips

  • • Always include a 10% contingency for unexpected costs
  • • Multi-day shoots can save money on equipment rentals
  • • Consider pre-production investment to reduce shoot day costs
  • • VFX can replace expensive practical effects but needs planning
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How to Use This Calculator

1

Select your production tier (DIY, professional, high-end)

2

Configure crew requirements and shoot days

3

Add locations, equipment, and post-production needs

4

Review detailed budget breakdown by category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a professional music video cost?

Professional music videos range from $5,000-$50,000. High-end productions with major artists can exceed $100,000+. The calculator helps you scope your budget based on specific needs.

What are the biggest music video budget items?

Director/crew (30-40%), location/studio rental (15-25%), equipment (10-15%), and post-production (15-25%) typically make up the largest portions of the budget.

Can I make a quality video on a small budget?

Yes, many successful videos are made for under $10,000 with creative concepts and smaller crews. Focus on strong concept, good lighting, and compelling performance.

How many shoot days do I need?

Simple performance videos can be shot in 1 day. Narrative videos with multiple scenes typically need 2-3 days. Each additional day significantly increases costs.

Should I budget for contingency?

Always include 10-15% contingency for unexpected costs like weather delays, additional takes, or equipment issues. This is standard industry practice.

Why Use This Calculator

  • Estimate costs for different production levels
  • Budget for crew, equipment, locations, and talent
  • Plan for post-production and visual effects
  • Compare DIY vs professional production costs
  • Avoid budget surprises during production

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