What drives the cost of a commercial?

"How much does a commercial cost?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer is that it is hard to say without seeing the film. Explaining what sets the price is easier. In this post we open up a quote line by line, so you can compare offers from different studios with more confidence.

Shoot days

The biggest single factor. A shoot day means a director, a director of photography, camera and lighting crew, an art department, transport and catering. Every extra location or night scene in the script usually adds a day. That is why we think about the shooting schedule while the script is still being written.

Crew

A small brand film can be made with a crew of five. A larger commercial can bring thirty people to set. A bigger crew makes a film more expensive, not automatically better. The right crew is the one the film actually needs.

Cast and usage rights

A fee for talent covers more than the shoot day. Where the film runs, for how long and in which countries decides the usage fee. TV, digital and outdoor rights can each be priced separately, which is why sharing your media plan early matters.

Locations and permits

Studio, rented location or exterior. Public spaces may need a filming permit. Shooting in a working space such as a hospital or a factory needs a plan that fits around the people working there.

Equipment

Camera, lenses, lights, dolly, drone. The gap between a cinema camera and a simpler setup shows on screen and on the quote. Where the film will be shown decides which one you need.

Post-production

Editing, colour grading, sound design, music licensing, motion graphics and subtitles. The item most often underestimated is versions. Add 15 and 6 second cuts, vertical versions and subtitles in other languages to a 30 second film, and the job grows.

Revisions

Two rounds of revisions are standard in our quotes. Agreeing on what a revision covers at the start makes the process easier for both sides.

What to share when you ask for a quote

• The purpose of the film and who it is for
• Where it will run and for how long
• The versions you need (length, format, language)
• Reference films, if you have them
• Budget range and delivery date

Sharing a budget does not weaken your position. It lets us tell you honestly what can be done with it. Send us your project through the brief form or WhatsApp, and we will come back with a quote within 24 hours. To see how we work, visit our video production page.