Learn the Costs of Creating a Corporate Video in the UK

Creating a corporate video is one of the most effective ways to elevate your brand, engage your audience, and drive real impact. But understanding the cost of video production services can be complex, as it depends on various factors.

In this guide, our video production agency breaks down the key elements influencing your budget, giving you clear insights into what to expect when planning a video content campaign. You'll learn how factors like the production scale and scope, the expertise of the crew, video length, deadlines, and the number of deliverables shape the cost of video production services.

By understanding these components, you can effectively plan for a high-impact video that meets your goals and budget.

The Scale and Scope Of Your Project

The cost of your corporate video production depends on specific requirements, and understanding these can help you budget effectively. Do you want to film your corporate video content in a studio, or would on-location shooting at one of your offices better align with your goals? If a studio setting is your preference, consider how many people will be involved, as this impacts filming time and the number of days you’ll need to book with a video production agency.

Additionally, think about whether you’ll need to capture multiple people on set simultaneously, such as a panel of experts or actors, or if a “talking heads” style with one person at a time suits your needs better. Filming multiple individuals requires more cameras, lighting, and a sound recordist to capture professional audio.

For on-location shoots, consider the number and type of sites needed to reach your business objectives. Are you aiming to showcase a UK-wide presence or connect with clients across Europe? The answers to these questions will determine the logistical needs for your video production agency, including travel arrangements for the crew. Note that additional travel and accommodation expenses may apply.

If you’re planning to film a large-scale, time-sensitive event, your corporate video production services may require multiple camera operators and producers working across various areas to capture every detail—from audience reactions to speaker presentations and vox pops.

Each production is unique, and the right video production agency will tailor crew size and resources to meet your goals efficiently and effectively.

The Creative and Technical Skills Required

Producing a successful corporate video demands a unique combination of creative vision and technical expertise. A video production agency must be skilled in crafting stories that resonate with audiences while ensuring the technical quality is top-notch. Here’s a breakdown of the creative and technical skills essential for impactful video production:

Storytelling and Concept Development
The foundation of any video is a compelling story. Creative directors and scriptwriters collaborate to develop a narrative that aligns with your brand's objectives and speaks to your audience's needs. This includes everything from initial concept development to refining the storyline and incorporating key brand messages seamlessly.
Cinematography and Visual Composition
The cinematography team is responsible for capturing each shot with the right composition, lighting, and focus, enhancing the visual appeal of the video. A skilled videographer understands how to frame shots for maximum impact and uses professional-grade equipment to achieve cinematic quality, whether filming in a studio or on location.
Lighting and Sound Design
Quality lighting and sound are non-negotiable for professional video production. The production crew sets up lighting to create the right mood and emphasize key elements, ensuring consistency across shots. Sound engineers capture high-quality audio, free from background noise, so that every word and sound is crisp and clear, adding depth to the visual content.
Directing and Talent Coordination
Directors play a crucial role in guiding on-screen talent, ensuring they feel comfortable and convey the desired message authentically. They work closely with actors, interviewees, or brand representatives to capture natural performances that engage viewers. Talent coordination also involves managing logistics, including the timing and positioning of each participant.
Editing and Post-Production Mastery
The editing team transforms raw footage into a polished final product. Editors combine shots, add transitions, apply color grading, and integrate music or graphics to enhance the story. Post-production specialists also add visual effects and optimize the video for various platforms, making sure it looks professional whether viewed on mobile, desktop, or in high-resolution displays.
Graphics and Animation
In some videos, motion graphics or animation are used to illustrate complex ideas or enhance storytelling. This requires skilled graphic designers and animators who understand brand guidelines and can create visuals that reinforce the video’s message.

Each of these creative and technical skills is essential in bringing a corporate video to life, ensuring it resonates with viewers and reflects your brand’s quality and professionalism. Partnering with an experienced video production agency ensures you have a team that can deliver on both the creative and technical fronts.

Video Production Costs.

Producer - £450 - £600
Copywriter - £300 - £450
Director/DOP – £800 - £1800
Camera Operator – £450 - £800
Sound Recordist – £650 - £1000
Gaffer – £300 - £650
Editor – £350 - £600
Animator – £500 - £1000
Colour Grader – £500 - £950
Actor/model – £300 +
Voiceover Artist – £100 - £350
Licensed music - £30+

Its worth noting that you will not require every role to work on your corporate video production and if you partner with a video production company they can advise you on what is required and the best options in line with your budget. At MHF we have a large network of talent that give us their best rates so we will be able to pass on cost savings throughout our supply chain.

Video Length And Impact On Costs

The length of your corporate video significantly impacts production costs, as longer videos typically require more resources, time, and effort at every stage of production. When planning your video’s length, understanding how costs scale with time can help you make informed decisions and optimize your budget. Here’s a breakdown of how video length affects costs:

Filming Duration
Longer videos generally need more filming hours or even multiple days of shooting, especially if the content is complex or requires various scenes, settings, or angles. Extended shoots mean additional costs for equipment rentals, crew time, and location fees. Working with a video production agency can help you streamline the shoot to fit the desired length within budget.
Crew and Talent Costs
For a longer video, you may need a larger crew to manage lighting, sound, directing, and camera operations across different shots. Additionally, if the video involves multiple speakers, actors, or interviewees, each added person contributes to the time and cost needed for coordination and setup. Shorter videos can often be filmed with a smaller, more cost-efficient crew.
Editing and Post-Production
Editing longer videos requires more extensive work in post-production. Editors must organize and refine the footage, add transitions, color-correct, and integrate sound and graphics throughout a more extended sequence. If you’re working with a tight budget, a shorter video length can reduce editing time and costs while still delivering impactful content.
Animation and Graphics
When animation or motion graphics are involved, each additional second requires precise design, rendering, and integration. For longer videos, animation costs can increase significantly, especially if complex visuals or effects are necessary. A video production agency can advise on where animation adds the most value, so you achieve a polished result without overspending.
Content Review and Revisions
Longer videos often entail more rounds of client feedback and revisions, as there are more elements to refine. Each revision stage adds to the timeline and may incur additional fees, especially if major adjustments are required. By keeping video content concise, you can streamline review stages and lower overall costs.
Platform-Specific Adjustments
If you plan to create different video versions tailored for specific platforms (e.g., a full-length video for YouTube and shorter clips for LinkedIn), these additional cuts will add to the editing cost. However, working with a professional video production agency can help you strategize the most cost-effective way to repurpose content across platforms, ensuring your message reaches multiple audiences without excessive added costs.

Considering these cost factors when deciding on video length can help you align your production budget with your goals. An experienced video production agency can guide you through selecting the ideal video length that balances impactful storytelling with cost-efficiency, ensuring a high-quality result that fits within your financial plan.

The Production Timeline

The timeline for producing a corporate video can greatly influence the overall cost. Tight deadlines, extended timelines, and specific delivery dates all come with unique cost implications, affecting planning, crew requirements, and resource allocation. Here’s how your production timeline can impact costs and what to consider when budgeting:

Rush Fees for Tight Deadlines
Accelerated timelines often require a rush approach, which may incur additional costs. Shortening the pre-production, filming, and editing stages means more crew hours in a condensed period, potentially requiring overtime pay or additional resources. A video production agency may need to prioritize your project over others, incurring premium charges to meet your deadline.
Availability and Scheduling of Crew and Equipment
When working on a tight timeline, securing skilled crew members and specialized equipment can be challenging. Last-minute bookings can lead to increased rates, as agencies may need to pay higher fees for short-notice availability. Planning with a more flexible timeline allows for better scheduling, reducing the likelihood of these extra costs.
Extended Timelines and Cost Management
While short timelines can increase costs, overly extended timelines can also affect budgets. Projects that span over a long period may need to book and re-book crew, equipment, or locations, increasing total costs. Additionally, a longer timeline may require more rounds of client feedback and adjustments, adding to overall post-production costs.
Complexity of Post-Production
Post-production is a crucial stage where editing, color grading, sound design, and graphics come together. If a tight timeline is in place, post-production teams may need to work in shifts or hire extra editors to expedite the process, raising costs. Allowing ample time for post-production can optimise your budget by reducing the need for added personnel or overtime.
Logistics and Travel Costs
When a project involves multiple locations or travel, the timeline can impact logistical costs. If your video production requires filming across various sites, an extended timeline allows for more efficient scheduling of crew and equipment transport, reducing travel expenses. In contrast, a rushed schedule may require multiple trips or faster (and more costly) transportation arrangements.
Client Review and Revision Rounds
The timeline also impacts the number of revisions and review rounds possible within budget. A shorter timeline may mean fewer opportunities to make changes, while a more extended period allows for thorough client feedback. However, extended timelines with numerous revision rounds can lead to increased post-production costs. Setting clear expectations with your video production agency on feedback rounds can help control these costs.
Seasonal Demand and Flexibility
Video production costs can vary based on demand, with peak seasons often driving up prices. If your timeline is flexible, consider scheduling during off-peak periods to potentially reduce costs. Your video production agency can help identify optimal timing for your project to maximise cost savings.

Balancing your project timeline with budget considerations allows you to plan effectively and avoid unnecessary expenses. By working closely with a video production agency, you can set realistic timelines that support quality production without inflating costs, ensuring a high-quality outcome within budget.

The Video Deliverables

The number and type of video deliverables you require can significantly affect the cost of a corporate video project. Each deliverable—whether it’s a full-length video, social media clips, or different formats for various platforms—demands time, resources, and specialized editing. Here’s how specific deliverables can impact your budget and ways to plan cost-effectively:

Quantity of Deliverables
The total number of video deliverables requested is one of the most direct cost drivers. For instance, creating multiple versions of a video for different platforms (e.g., a main video, teaser clips, vertical cuts for Instagram, and square formats for LinkedIn) requires additional editing, rendering, and formatting, each of which adds to the workload. Consolidating similar deliverables or planning a primary video with select edits for social media can help manage these costs.
Length and Format Variations
Different formats for various platforms, such as 16:9 for YouTube and horizontal/vertical formats for social media, often require separate edits. The longer the video or the more diverse the formats, the more extensive the post-production effort. To keep costs in check, work with your video production agency to determine the key formats that offer maximum reach, focusing on platforms where your target audience is most active.
Language and Subtitling Requirements
If you need subtitles, translations, or multilingual versions of your video, this can add to the cost. Subtitling requires careful timing and formatting, while translations may involve hiring additional talent. For international audiences, consider selecting a few core languages or focusing on subtitles rather than multiple language versions to manage these costs effectively.
Additional Graphics and Animation
Custom graphics or animated elements can enhance video deliverables, especially for tutorials, product demos, or brand stories. However, these assets require time and specialized skills to design and integrate. If your budget is limited, focus on essential animations that amplify your message and forgo extensive animated elements for each deliverable.
Platform-Specific Edits and Optimisation
Different platforms have unique specifications for optimal video performance. Editing for LinkedIn, for example, might prioritise quick hooks, while YouTube content can support longer intros and in-depth content. Creating platform-specific edits improves engagement but can increase costs. Partnering with a video production agency experienced in multi-platform delivery can streamline the process, ensuring optimized deliverables without redundancy.
Licensing and Distribution Fees
Some deliverables may involve licensing fees, especially if you’re using specific music tracks, stock footage, or proprietary software. Each additional video may need its own licensing rights, depending on the intended distribution channels. Knowing the full scope of your distribution plan upfront allows your agency to manage licensing efficiently and reduce unnecessary fees.
Final Review and Quality Control
Each video deliverable goes through a quality control process to ensure consistency across versions. Additional deliverables require extra rounds of review and potential adjustments, especially if the content or style differs significantly across platforms. Setting priorities for your key deliverables can streamline the quality assurance process, focusing resources on your highest-impact videos.

By understanding how deliverables influence cost, you can plan a video strategy that achieves your marketing objectives within budget. Collaborating with a video production agency can help you identify essential deliverables, optimize edits for key platforms, and ensure a consistent message across all formats while managing costs effectively.

Conclusion

Producing an effective corporate video involves many factors, from the video length and timeline to the required deliverables, each of which impacts the overall cost. Understanding these elements allows you to make informed decisions that align with your goals and budget. By working closely with an experienced video production agency, you can strategically plan your video project to achieve high-quality results without unnecessary expenses.

From defining the ideal length to selecting essential deliverables, a tailored approach ensures your video meets both your brand’s objectives and financial expectations. With the right agency partner, you’ll have the guidance and expertise needed to bring your vision to life—capturing your audience’s attention and delivering value that resonates long after the video ends.

Corporate Video Production Costs I A Comprehensive Guide