Video Production Budget Calculator
Estimate video production costs including crew, equipment, and post-production. Build accurate budgets for commercials, corporate videos, and content.
Industry-standard rates and equipment
Pre-Production
Crew (per day)
Equipment Rentals (per day)
Post-Production
Budget Breakdown
* Estimates based on industry averages. Actual costs vary by location, talent availability, and specific project requirements.
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How to Use This Calculator
Set your number of shoot days and target video length.
Choose your production level to adjust rate expectations.
Select crew members, equipment, and post-production services needed.
Review your total budget with automatic contingency calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical cost per finished minute of video?
Costs range dramatically: $1,000-3,000/minute for basic corporate video, $5,000-15,000/minute for polished commercial content, and $25,000+/minute for broadcast-quality production. The biggest factors are crew size, equipment quality, and post-production complexity.
How many shoot days should I budget for?
A general rule is 1 shoot day per 1-2 minutes of finished content for scripted work. Documentary style may require 3-5 days of shooting per finished minute. Always add buffer time—productions almost always run longer than planned.
What post-production costs are often underestimated?
Music licensing, color grading, and revision rounds are frequently underbudgeted. Licensed music can cost $500-5,000+ per track. Professional color grading adds $500-2,000. Budget for at least 2-3 revision rounds in your timeline and costs.
Should I rent or buy equipment?
For occasional productions, renting is almost always more cost-effective. Camera technology changes quickly, and rental houses maintain and insure equipment. Only consider purchasing if you shoot 100+ days per year or need specialized gear always on hand.
How much contingency should I include?
Standard practice is 10-15% contingency for productions with detailed planning, 20-25% for projects with unknowns (new locations, unproven concepts). This covers weather delays, equipment issues, additional takes, and scope changes during production.
Why Use This Calculator
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Build comprehensive budgets covering all production phases
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Select specific crew roles and equipment needs
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Compare basic, standard, and premium production levels
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Calculate cost per finished minute of video
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Include contingency for unexpected expenses
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"The video production budget tool helped us scope a realistic project for our client's budget. No more awkward conversations."
Executive Producer, Production Company