Many people who ask this question of video production companies must end up suspecting the video folks of trying to hide something -- you just can't seem to get a straight answer out of us! But truly, it's a difficult question to answer. It's like trying to tell someone how much a car costs. Do you want a Rolls? A Ford? With sunroof? Power steering? Leather seats? The price of a car depends on many factors -- and so does the cost of a video production.

Many elements affect a video production budget, including:

Program Length: In general, though not always, the longer the tape, the less per minute

Script: Will you write it, will we write it, or will it be a collaboration? Script length is also a factor, of course.

Format: Always be clear on what format a video company will use in producing your tape. We offer all professional formats including: HD 1080i/720p, Beta SP, DVCAM, 24p HDV. Be wary of company's offering formats other than these. Also be sure to always request a copy of a demo reel so you can compare the quality of the productions from your prospective company. Always make sure you're clear on a format's limitations before agreeing to it.

Graphics and/or Animation: Generally speaking, the more graphics and animation created for a production, the higher the cost.

Pacing: A very fast paced program with many edits will, in general, cost more to produce than a slower paced piece with longer shots.

Project Deadlines: A rush project is usually more costly than one in which there is more time given to planning and scheduling production for maximum efficiency.

Presenters, Actors, Narration, and Music: These elements are usually furnished by the video production company, and charges can vary considerably.

Travel and Locations: Travel expenses are obvious, but keep in mind, too, that, in general, every time you break down and set up a camera shot, you're adding to the budget. A difficult-to-shoot-in location can also add time (which is money) to a video production.

External Fees: For the use of public lands, private locations, etc.

Complexity: A complex script and/or project can mean extra hours on a project -- as can working with animals, children, or in situations where specific natural occurrences, such as clear days, certain weather conditions, or such are required.

Organization: A disorganised project can cost twice as much as one that's well designed and formulated, no matter how simple the storyline may appear to be. Organisation is the biggest potential money-saver in any video project.

The creation of a video program can be broken into three stages: pre-production (the development and preparation stage,) production (shooting the footage) and post-production (editing the footage into a finished program.)

The more attention paid to details at the very beginning of the process, the more thoroughly a program is defined, designed and polished before the camera even leaves its case, the better the finished product is going to be. An added bonus: this most valuable creative stage is also the least expensive financially.

It's during pre-production that you and your production company should have your heads together most often, in face-to-face meetings, phone conferences, faxes and e-mail.

Next, the script will be written and polished. If the production will benefit from storyboarding the script, that is done. A cost- and time-efficient shooting schedule is designed to be comfortable for everyone involved and interfering as little as possible with the normal use of the shooting locations.

Once shooting is finished, a project moves into post-production. Music is chosen and laid down, narration recorded and titles and credits created. Any needed animation, graphic design, and special effects are produced. In the last step, all the elements are edited into a finished program. Once you've approved a rough-edit, your program Master will be created, from which any number of VHS copies can be made.

We can provide however many copies a client needs.

Feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.