If you are responsible for commissioning video production in Vancouver or Metro Vancouver, this guide covers what professional video production actually costs in this market, what drives those costs up or down, and how to think about budget before you start talking to production companies.
Why Video Production Costs Vary So Much
The variables that drive video production cost in Vancouver include:
- Number of filming days
- Crew size and specialization
- Equipment requirements
- Location costs and permits
- Talent, if hired actors or voiceover artists are required
- Number of deliverables and versions
- Post-production complexity including colour grading, motion graphics, and sound design
- Music licensing
- Accessibility deliverables including captions and transcripts
What Professional Video Production Costs in Vancouver
The following ranges reflect professional production in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver for institutional and organizational clients.
Single-subject interview video (brand film or testimonial)
Typical range: $5,000 to $15,000
Services explainer video (live-action)
Typical range: $7,500 to $20,000
Promotional video
Typical range: $6,000 to $18,000
Event videography
Typical range: $3,500 to $10,000 per day of coverage
Mini-documentary
Typical range: $15,000 to $45,000
Commercial video (digital)
Typical range: $8,000 to $25,000
Corporate photography (half day)
Typical range: $1,500 to $4,000
Corporate photography (full day)
Typical range: $2,500 to $7,000
How Budget Affects Production Scope
Being honest about budget at the start of a production process allows a good production company to recommend a scope that achieves the communication objective within the available resources, rather than presenting a scope the client cannot afford and then negotiating downward in ways that compromise the production.
Government and Institutional Procurement Budgeting
Government and institutional clients often work within procurement thresholds that determine how a video production contract can be structured. Greycrest Visuals is registered on CanadaBuys and available for government and institutional procurement processes at federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do production quotes vary so much between companies?
Production quotes vary because production scopes vary, but also because different companies carry different cost structures, different levels of experience, and different approaches to what a professional production involves.
Do you provide written quotes?
Yes. All Greycrest productions are preceded by a written estimate that details the scope, the deliverables, the timeline, and the investment. We do not begin production without a written agreement that both parties have reviewed and confirmed.
