So . . . What does video production cost?
No matter what you plan, a good brief is the difference between an inflated estimate and an accurate quote.
For those considering production, we've prepared a few handy hints.
Do you have a proposed budget?
Let us know.... sometimes it's easier to work within guidelines.
How long is the proposed production?
A shorter, informative and entertaining video is better than a longer production that could lose the viewer.
Is the production for local, national or international release?
Translation is often required. Script timings may vary e.g. it takes twice as long to say something in
Japanese than English, so not only translation but also editing is required.
Different video-tape formats apply in some overseas countries.
e.g. Australia is PAL, U.S.A. / Japan are NTSC and some European countries are SECAM.
Dub costs vary and different rates apply for talent and music if released overseas.
Is the production for broadcast or purely in-house?
Broadcast quality is generally HD / Digital / SX / SP Beta-Cam Videotape.
HDV & DV-Cam can also deliver extremely good quality pictures for Commercial / Corporate Productions.
Camera equipment and editing techniques vary, depending your audience.
Is there an existing script or is a writer required?
A brochure or annual report could be adapted, however a writer is usually preferred.
A professional writer can often save time and money.
Is there existing footage (stills, video-tape or film) and of what quality?
A standard should be set, not changing formats and quality, historical material is an exception.
How many days shoot?
Crews generally work on a half (4 hrs.) or full day (8hrs.) basis (negotiable).
Traveling time and accommodation are considerations.
What sort of crew is required (camera, sound, make-up, grip, lighting etc.)?
Generally a base of director, camera operator and assistant with others as required.
Is a presenter or cast required?
Rates are negotiable and depend on the audience and current commitments.
Any special props?
The client generally has most props on hand, however some dressing could be needed.
In editing, do we require special effects, animation etc?
Good post production houses have adequate facilities for corporate work,
anything extra 'special effects' would have to be created.
How involved is the sound (composed or library music, sound effects etc.)?
Music has strict copy-right regulations including separate costs for video release and DVD / MPG release.
There is good library music available at reasonable rates or you could consider having specially composed music
(sometimes a cheaper alternative if mass release is required).
How many copies (dubs) are required?
Costs vary with post production facilities and quantity required.
DVD or CD, .mpg, .mov, .wmv or flash?
So how much does video production cost? . . . Obviously each job varies.
We would prefer to quote on final script or estimate production until a final script is developed, working closely
with clients, ensuring the most accurate and economical costing available.
A GOOD BRIEF
The difference between a sometimes inflated estimate and an accurate quote.
CHECK CREDENTIALS
Always check previous work, and ask to see examples.
SET A STANDARD
Remember the quality of the production reflects the quality of YOUR product or service.
Many current TV’s, DVD & Video Players are both PAL and NTSC compatible and can display both types of video.
Please check your product manual or contact a representative of the country or organization at your destination.
A TV picture is made up of lines which are switched on and off very quickly. A complete picture is called a "frame" and a frame is composed of two "fields" which are being alternated in rapid succession. This is known as the scanning frequency.
The two separate TV systems came about because of the differences in power systems between the US and Europe.
For various technical reasons in the early days of TV the scanning frequency was locked together with the power frequency.
The US uses a 60Hz power system, therefore the NTSC TV system comprises 60 fields per second, or 30 frames per second. Europe uses a 50Hz power system, so a PAL TV picture is composed of 50 fields per second, or 25 frames per second.
There is also a difference in the number of scan lines a TV picture comprises. An NTSC picture is 525 lines whereas a PAL picture is 625 lines.
SECAM was developed by the French, who initially wanted a system that wasn't compatible with either PAL or NTSC.
It's based on the PAL 625/50 system.
DVD Regions?
DVD's are split into various country regions (6).
Generally discs authored for one region will usually only play on players that were manufactured for the same region, so discs bought in the Australia will not play on U.S. players and vice versa.
However, the regional coding system is entirely optional and discs without Regional Codes (Region 0) will play on any player in any country.
Region 1 - Canada, U.S., U.S. Territories.
Region 2 - Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, European Union, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic), Malta, Moldavia, Principality of Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Yemen, Yugoslavia
Region 3 - Southeast Asia, East Asia (including Hong Kong)
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America,
Mexico, South America, Caribbean
Region 5 - Former Soviet Union, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, Mongolia
Region 6 - China
Region 7 - Reserved
Region 8 - Special international venues (aeroplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bolivia
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burma
Cambodia
Canada
Canary Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dom Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Ghana
Guadalupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Korea (North)
Korea (South)
Kuwait
Liberia
Lebanon
Libya
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malta
Martinique
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Guinea
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Saipan
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Surinam
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tahiti
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tobago
Trinidad
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
United Arab Em
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Virg Islands (US)
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe
PAL
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL-N
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL
NTSC
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
PAL-M
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
PAL
NTSC
PAL
NTSC
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
PAL
PAL + SECAM
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
SECAM
NTSC
PAL
PAL
SECAM
SECAM
SECAM
PAL
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
SECAM
NTSC + SECAM
NTSC
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
SECAM
PAL
PAL
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
PAL
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL
PAL
SECAM
SECAM
PAL
SECAM
PAL
PAL
SECAM
SECAM
NTSC
PAL + SECAM
SECAM
SECAM
PAL
SECAM
PAL
PAL
NTSC
SECAM
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL
NTSC
NTSC
PAL + SECAM
PAL
NTSC
PAL
SECAM
PAL + SECAM
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
PAL + SECAM
SECAM
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL
PAL
PAL
SECAM
SECAM
NTSC
PAL
PAL
SECAM
NTSC
NTSC
SECAM
PAL
PAL
PAL
PAL
NTSC
PAL-N
NTSC
SECAM
NTSC
PAL
PAL
SECAM
PAL
PAL
Standard Definition (SD) uses the same resolution as analogue television and DVDs, and supports both 4:3 format and 16:9 widescreen.
High Definition (HD) is similar to SD, except that it runs at a much higher resolution and has a vastly improved picture.
There are three different HDTV standards used in Australia. The most basic is 576p, which runs at a resolution of 720 x 576. The next is 720p, which displays 1280 x 720 resolution. The last standard is 1080i displaying 1920 x 1080.
