Video production costs, from a social clip to a brand film
Video budgets are decided long before the camera turns on. Crew size, shoot days and how much scripting is required set the number; everything else is detail.
Ranges below reflect what independent Canadian studios on creativeMRKT typically quote. Every brief is different — post yours and you'll get real numbers from real studios, free.
What different videos cost
| Deliverable | Typical range | Shape of the job |
|---|---|---|
| Social clips (batch of 4–8) | $1,200 – $3,500 | One shoot day, light crew, vertical edits |
| Product demo | $2,000 – $6,000 | Studio or on-site, scripted, motion graphics |
| Customer testimonial | $1,500 – $4,000 | Half day per subject, interview-led |
| Brand film (2–3 min) | $6,000 – $25,000 | Multi-day, full crew, original music, colour grade |
| Event recap | $1,500 – $5,000 | Coverage day plus a highlight edit |
Where budgets get eaten
- Extra shoot days — usually the single largest line item.
- Crew: director, DP, sound, gaffer, producer each carry a day rate.
- Talent, location fees and permits.
- Motion graphics, licensed or original music, and colour grading.
- Revision rounds beyond what's quoted — agree the number in writing.
Getting more out of one shoot day
Plan the edit before the shoot. One well-planned day can produce a hero film, a handful of social cutdowns and a stills library — three separate shoots' worth of output for one crew call.
Frequently asked
- How much does a one-minute video cost in Canada?
- A polished one-minute brand video typically runs $3,000–$10,000. Simpler single-camera or social-first pieces can be produced for $1,200–$3,000.
- How long does video production take?
- Two to five weeks from kickoff to final cut is typical, including pre-production, one shoot day and two revision rounds.
- Do I need a script?
- For anything scripted or interview-led, yes — and it's worth paying for. An unscripted shoot almost always costs more in extra shoot time and edit rounds.
Every creative on creativeMRKT — freelancer, studio or agency — is personally vetted.
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