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How much does it cost to make a video?

Well, we get video production and animation enquiries from companies with £1,000 to spend and companies with budgets exceeding £100,000.

Truth is, it’s an impossible question to answer without doing a little digging first.
You could shoot something on your iPhone and keep it cheap and cheerful, or you could go full Spielberg and spend millions. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

But here’s the thing: if you know what you want your video to look like and how long it should be, we can help you figure out the rest. And we’ll give you a recommendation that suits your desired budget. And remember, your video’s quality says a lot about your brand. So let’s make sure it’s saying the right things, shall we?

Factors that influence video production costs

Two factors have a bearing on video production costs: resource and process.

Resources are the tangible stuff – how many hours you spend planning, how many people are needed to pull off the job, what kind of equipment you’re using. It’s the difference between shooting on a top-of-the-line Sony FX9 or your aunt’s old DSLR.

Process is trickier to pin down, but it’s just as crucial. A cheap video might seem similar to a pricier one, but the differences are very real, and corners will have been cut.
You’ll most likely end up with inexperienced producers, directors, designers and fewer crew – instead of what you deserve. Seasoned pros who’ll do all the heavy lifting for you – from creative kick-off to delivery. It should be relatively stress-free (hey, making stuff’s always a bit stressful), but trust us, you’ll feel the difference.

What the ideal video budget should cover

With the right budget, you’ll get a team of experts: producers, directors, illustrators, animators, DOPs, camera operators, assistants, sound recordists, and editors.

They’ll have a natural eye for what’s good and what’s not, what’s going to work and what’s going to fail. Before the day of filming arrives, they’ll:

  • scout the best possible locations,
  • try every angle
  • figure out the best lighting perfectly

For a case study video, a production team will interview multiple people, multiple times, to figure out who’s charismatic enough to sell the message and draw out those golden nuggets from interviewees to make your key messages shine.

And when it comes to animation, just like filming, a healthy budget means everything’s just that little bit better. Better design, better illustrations, better movement.

But beyond that, the right video production budget gives you a deeper, more consultative relationship – from streamlining your messaging and writing a stellar script to supporting with video distribution strategy and ROI. You really do get what you pay for.

Different video production cost levels

Let’s break it down for a 30-60 second corporate video:

DIY (Almost free – £500)

Your smartphone is a mini film studio these days. Great for social media and behind-the-scenes stuff. But beware: audio can be iffy, and you might look a bit amateurish for high-end corporate videos.

Our tips:

  • Grab a lapel mic and a tripod. Your viewers’ eyes (and ears) will thank you.
  • Have a well-lit scene. Use natural lighting or a ring light to give your video a lift.
  • Film at the highest resolution and quality possible.

Video creation platforms (£50-£300)

Sites like Promo.com are handy for churning out social content. But you’ll need to learn the ropes of messaging and image selection.

Others like Canva are great for novices who want to try their hand at design, but the functionality is limited, and you’ll end up with very basic videos.

In short? These platforms serve a purpose if you have a smaller budget and need multiple videos on a quick turnaround, but consider whether it’s worth spending that extra bit of cash to elevate your content.

AI video generation (£100-£1000+)

The new kid on the block and something that is evolving fast. AI-generated videos are great for quick turnarounds and customisation, but they can be hit or miss on quality and authenticity, particularly if you’re a novice. You need experts. Did we mention we have our own private AI environment that’s packed full of the best and latest models? Get in touch with our AI team to find out more.

Freelancers (£1,200 – £5,000)

Freelancers can normally do the job for less than a production company. When it comes to filmed content, ideally, you want someone who can do everything – an all-rounder who can produce and edit and help with concept creation and shooting. You can expect the equipment they use to be modest but still professional. And an all-rounder might be able to do everything – but it doesn’t mean they’ll be really good at it.

For animated content, a freelance animator might be a good option, but you’ll need to be prepared to handle everything from scripting and art direction to voiceover sourcing and music selection.

In either case, with a freelancer, you’ll be completely at the mercy of that person – if they have one style, you’ll have to go with that, and if they go on holiday or have other clients, they might take ages to make changes. Many freelancers don’t take much of a strategic approach either.

To find a good freelancer, you can look on directory websites like Mandy.com and Production Base – but we find just asking around is the best way. Most people know someone who works in video production. Also, look on Vimeo for showreels and try contacting the publisher yourself.

Production company (£5,000 – £50,000)

The experts. You’ll get a team of specialists who’ve seen and done it all before. They’ll handle everything from strategy to distribution. They’ll be an extension of your team for the entire duration of the project, at your disposal, seeing that it all runs perfectly.

Most production companies don’t charge usage fees for anything they create, but it may be required for actors, talent, and voiceover. When these are needed, they should negotiate on your behalf. Again, your video company should discuss this with you right at the beginning of the project.

Here’s a quick starting price guide for some of the content we produce:

  • Filmed case studies: From £7,000
  • Corporate video: From £8,000
  • Brand films: From £10,000
  • Explainer animations: From £6000
  • Brand animations: From £10,000
  • Documentary and Editorial content: From £12,000
  • Event content: From £6k

What about that cheap video production company?

“We found a company who can do it for really cheap and price is the most important thing to us. Do you think the video will still be OK to use?”

If a company’s offering to make your video for peanuts, remember: you get what you pay for. Cheap rarely equals good in this game. If you can’t afford a top-notch agency, find a solid freelancer instead. You’ll save some cash, but be prepared to plug the gaps.

Show me the money (ROI, that is)

To justify splashing out on a video, you need to prove it’ll pay off. That’s where a video strategy comes in. A good production company will help you plan how your video will deliver results, whether that’s leads, sales, or brand awareness.

And hey, you don’t always need all the bells and whistles. If a simpler setup will do the job, a good agency will advise you to save your cash for something else.

The bottom line

Quality videos don’t compromise on the things that matter: whether it’s tangible stuff like equipment or intangible things like experience. Cutting corners always costs more in the long run.

Good work isn’t cheap, and cheap work isn’t good. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Whether you’re going DIY with your smartphone or bringing in the pros, make sure your video fits your brand and speaks to your audience.

At Definition, we’re all about creating videos that not only look and sound great, but get results. We’ll help you navigate the wild world of video production and find the perfect solution for your needs and budget.

So, ready to make a video? Let’s talk.

Jamie Field 2

Written by Jamie Field, GenAI Creative Director at Definition.

Updated by Rebecca Rappaport, Video Producer at Definition on 18/07/2025.

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