Why Does Producing a Complete, Quality Video Cost So Much?

Producing a high-quality video requires many factors, from creative ideas, scripts, filming, editing to the technology used. Although the final product can bring outstanding communication effectiveness, the cost of video production can make many businesses hesitate. In the following article, Sadesign will analyze the reasons why producing a complete and quality video is expensive, as well as the factors that affect the cost of video production.

1. How much does the video cost?

When it comes to video production costs, there is no set number that applies to all types of videos. Prices vary greatly depending on a variety of factors. Simple videos can cost a fraction of the price of high-end promotional videos that require a large investment in people and technology.

1.1. Factors affecting video production prices

To understand why video production costs are so high, we need to analyze the main factors that contribute to production costs. These factors can include:

Script and Creative Idea: A good, well-crafted script is the foundation of your video. Videos need to convey a strong message that resonates with viewers. Hiring an experienced creative team and screenwriter will add value to your video.
 

Filming and Locations: Filming requires careful planning of locations, lighting, filming equipment, and crew. If the video requires shooting in multiple locations or special environments, the cost will also increase. Professional videos may require state-of-the-art filming equipment, drones, or advanced filming technologies.
 

Editing and Post-Production: After filming, the video needs to go through post-production editing to create the final product. This includes cutting, color correction, audio, and special effects. Professional video production companies often use advanced editing software, which helps improve the image and sound quality.
 

Personnel Involved: A video production team includes a director, cameraman, editor, sound engineer, actors, and more. Each of these people plays an important role and requires a separate cost. A professional production team usually commands a high salary due to the experience and expertise required.
 

Time and Process: The time it takes to produce a video also greatly affects the cost. The more complex the video, the longer the production time, which in turn leads to increased costs for personnel, equipment, and other factors.
 

1.2. Specific prices for each type of video

Simple videos (1-2 minutes): These videos often serve the purpose of advertising products, services, or brief information. Production costs can range from a few million to tens of millions of VND depending on the technical requirements and professionalism of the team.
 

Professional videos (3-5 minutes): These videos may require detailed scripts, shooting at multiple locations, and special effects. Their prices typically range from a few tens of millions to over 100 million VND.
 

Premium promotional videos (6 minutes or more): These videos require a large investment in all aspects, from scripting, filming to post-production and special effects. These videos can cost from 200 million VND or more.

2. Choose Quality Or Quantity?

When faced with the decision of choosing between video quality and quantity, businesses need to consider their long-term strategic factors and marketing goals. Both quality and quantity have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is an analysis of the choice between video quality and quantity.

2.1. Video Quality – Investing in Long-Term Value

Choosing to produce high-quality videos has obvious benefits. A high-quality video will make a strong impression on customers, helping to convey messages more effectively and professionally. Especially for advertising campaigns, high-quality videos will help your brand stand out from the crowd and build trust with customers.

Advantage:
Make a strong impression: High-quality videos easily leave an impression on viewers' minds. When your product is conveyed through an impressive video, customers' ability to remember it for a long time will be higher.

Professional and trustworthy: High-quality videos demonstrate the brand's investment, thereby enhancing its image and credibility in the eyes of customers.

Enhance brand recognition: With great visual and sound effects, high-quality videos are easily shared and spread, thereby helping to enhance brand recognition.

Disadvantages:
High Cost: As mentioned above, high-quality video production requires a large amount of resources, including professional crews and expensive equipment.

Long production time: Working with the creative team and post-production editing will add to the time it takes to complete the video.

2.2. Number of videos - Cost-effective solution

If your budget is limited, producing multiple, simpler videos is a good option. These videos can be completed quickly and provide a large amount of content for your marketing campaign. This is especially useful for long-term advertising campaigns where you need to maintain a constant presence.

Advantage:
Low Cost: Videos are simple and easy to produce, so the cost will be much lower than high quality videos.

Easy to maintain presence: With a large number of videos, you can maintain your brand presence on social media platforms and other marketing channels.

Disadvantages:
Reduced Quality: Quickly produced videos may not be impressive enough or fail to convey the message deeply, reducing the effectiveness of the campaign.

Difficult to make a lasting impression: These videos can easily be forgotten in an environment where customers are exposed to so much content every day.

3. Analyze Video Production Costs and How to Save Money

Video production is a complex process that requires many elements to work together to ensure the quality of the final product. From the initial idea to the completion of the video, each step requires an investment of both time and money. To better understand why video production costs can be so high, we need to analyze the factors that make up the cost of a video project.

3.1. Cost of Investing in Video Ideas and Scripts

The first step in video production is to come up with an idea and write a script. This is an important factor that shapes the direction of the entire project. Creating a compelling script that is relevant to the target audience and meets the purpose of the video is not an easy task. To come up with a groundbreaking idea and a quality script, the creative team needs experience, in-depth knowledge and research time.

The cost of investing in scripts and ideas can be quite high, as the creative team has to make many revisions and improvements to achieve the best results.

3.2. Film Production Costs

Filming is one of the most expensive steps in video production. To get quality footage, you need modern filming equipment, proper lighting, and professional filming spaces. Additionally, hiring actors, models, or industry professionals also adds to the cost.

In addition, to ensure high-quality videos, the choice of filming location also has a significant impact on the budget. If filming in expensive locations or having to travel to remote areas, transportation and accommodation costs will significantly increase the budget.

3.3. Post-Production Costs (Editing)

Post-production includes editing, cutting, dubbing, and adding special effects. This is an extremely important stage in turning raw footage into a finished video product. Post-production requires meticulousness, professionalism, and the use of modern editing software.

Post-production costs can vary depending on the complexity of the video. For videos that include special effects, 3D graphics, or require extensive editing, production costs may be higher than for simpler videos.

3.4. Sound and Background Music Costs

Sound is an indispensable element in any video. A video with clear sound and suitable background music will help improve the quality and appeal of the product. However, the cost of getting good sound is not cheap. First, recording quality sound requires investment in professional equipment. Next, choosing and using suitable background music also requires copyright, which will increase the cost.

Some videos may require creative background music or original music, which will increase the cost. Hiring musicians or working with professional sound studios can help improve the sound quality, but also means higher costs.

3.5. Video Advertising and Distribution Costs

Once the video is complete, the next step is to promote and distribute the video to the target audience. Hiring media companies, online advertising platforms, or PR campaigns can be a significant part of the budget. In addition, in order for the video to reach a large audience, hiring marketing experts to optimize the distribution strategy is also a significant factor in the cost of video production.

4. How to Save on Video Production Costs While Still Ensuring Quality?

While video production costs can be high, there are ways to save money while still maintaining quality. Here are some tips to help you keep costs down while still producing a quality video.

4.1. Detailed Planning

One of the most cost-effective ways to save money is to have a clear plan from the beginning. Once you have determined the goals and audience of your video, you can focus on saving costs in the less important stages while still ensuring quality. Make sure you have a detailed production plan, from ideation, script to video distribution.

4.2. Use Cost-Saving Devices and Tools

During filming, you do not necessarily need to use expensive equipment if it is not necessary. Choosing the right filming, lighting and sound equipment can help reduce costs while still ensuring good video quality. If you do not have enough budget to invest in professional equipment, you can rent or borrow from reputable units at a reasonable cost.

4.3. Hire a Professional Production Team

Hiring an experienced production team can save you money as they will know how to optimize your workflow, avoiding wasted time and resources. Additionally, a professional team will be able to use editing software and post-production techniques effectively, which will reduce costs compared to hiring multiple separate professionals.

4.4. Optimizing Post-Production Process

Post-production can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, but if you know how to optimize it, you can save a lot of money. Choosing the right editing software, using existing effects instead of creating new ones from scratch, and adding only the effects that are really necessary will help reduce video production costs while still ensuring creativity.

4.5. Use Effective Distribution Advertising Platforms

To optimize your video distribution costs, you should choose advertising platforms that are relevant to your target audience. Using social media platforms, email marketing, or online advertising tools can help you save on distribution costs while still ensuring your videos reach a large audience.

5. Conclusion

Investing in a high-quality video is always a good choice to build a strong brand image and impress customers. Although the cost of video production is high, the value they bring can far exceed the costs. Contact Sadesign for dedicated advice to help you create a complete and best quality video.