2025 Cambridge Video Production Cost Guide
Breakdown of Common Video Types & Their Costs
Budgeting starts with understanding what type of video you need and what each involves behind the scenes. Please note that the following are general pricing breakdowns and pricing will always vary per project.
Simple 30-Second Promo (Starting at $3,000)
What You Get: One-camera run-and-gun shoot; basic b-roll; simple cut edit; music bed.
When to Choose: Product teasers, social ads, homepage banner loops.
Pro Tip: Use natural lighting or available practical lights to keep gear costs down.
1-Minute Brand Story/Testimonial (Around $4,500–$5,000)
What You Get: Two-camera coverage for cutaways; basic motion graphics; color grade; one round of revisions.
When to Choose: Founder profiles, customer success stories, holiday greetings.
Pro Tip: Pre-plan your interview questions to minimize retakes and edit time.
2-Minute Highlight or About-Us Video (Around $5,500–$6,000)
What You Get: Narrative structure, scripted b-roll, on-screen lower thirds, polished music cues.
When to Choose: Brand anthems, campus tours, investor pitches.
Pro Tip: Build in time for location B-roll—cover 2–3 sites in one day to maximize your day rate.
Event Coverage with Recap (Starts at $4,000)
What You Get: Half-day shoot; keynote, audience reactions, candid networking shots; 60- to 90-second highlight reel.
When to Choose: Conferences, product launches, graduation ceremonies.
Pro Tip: Share a “social cut” (15–30s) within 24 hours to keep momentum on social channels.
Factors That Impact Your Shoot Budget
Costs can vary drastically based on these four levers:
Story Scope & Complexity
Single-location interviews cost less than multi-scene narratives.
Drone aerials, specialty rigs (sliders, jibs) add prep and gear fees.
Crew Composition
A two-person DP + AC team is lean; adding sound, lighting, or hair/makeup pushes rates upward.
For events, you may want a dedicated director, especially if you’re running multiple shoot tracks.
Equipment Needs
Standard package includes Sony FX3/FX6, basic lighting kit, lav mics.
Premium lenses, live-stream encoder, teleprompter, or stabilized vehicle rig are add-ons.
Post-Production Complexity
Simple cutting and music sync vs. full color-grading, VFX, animated infographics.
Multiple deliverables (vertical and square versions, languages subtitles) multiply edit hours.
Turnaround & Rush Requirements
Standard 1–2 week delivery is included; next-day or weekend turnaround carries a 20–30 % rush fee.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Budgeting
Under-estimating Coverage Needs: An extra hour on site can cost $250–$400—plan buffer time.
Skipping Storyboarding: Lack of a solid pre production plan leads to disorganized shoots and extra edit days. Your video will only be as good as you prepare for it
Ignoring Deliverables Scope: Clarify how many versions you need (web, social, email, presentations).
Forgetting Licensing Fees: Premium music or stock footage incurs separate costs—budget $200–$500 for quality assets.
How to Get a Custom Quote from Local Pros
Define Your Objectives: Be crystal-clear on length, style, and call-to-action.
Share Inspiration: Links to videos you love help calibrate production value.
Set Realistic Timelines: Longer lead times save on rush fees.
Review Line-Item Estimates: Don’t accept lump sums—ask for breakdowns by shoot, edit, gear, crew.
Discuss Revisions & Scope Creep Up-Front: Agree on rounds of revisions and hourly rates beyond that.
Want to compare cost across all of Boston? Check out our Boston video production services for tailored package options and quotes.
