What’s the Cost Per Minute of Training Video Production?

The typical training video is between 3 and 5 minutes long, although some can run a bit longer depending on individual training needs. The cost per minute of training video production is largely dependent upon several factors including the total estimated finished video length, the complexity of the training video content, the style of the video, and the size and experience of the crew that is required to produce the video. 

At Beverly Boy Productions, when a client asks, “What’s the cost per minute of training video production?” We generally provide a very simple answer, “It Depends!” However, we realize that clients deserve more detail than that, and we’re more than willing to address individual cost allocations to help clients better understand where and how their budget will be spent when it comes to producing a top quality training video.

Generally speaking, the cost per minute of training video production is somewhere between $1,000 and $10,000. This figure can be particularly difficult to budget for, which is why we think it’s very important for clients to understand the factors that influence the cost of their videos and how costs add up.

Factors Influence the Cost of Training Video Production

With the average training video being around 5 minutes long, a general cost estimate would be somewhere between $5,000 and $50,000 for a training video. A figure this vague can be nearly impossible for a client to properly budget for. How can you possibly budget for between $5,000 and $50,000? What if you only need $5,000? What if you actually need the full $50,000? Figures like this are simply too vague which is why it’s important to understand the various factors that go into determining the cost per minute.

The following factors can impact the total cost per minute of your training video:

• The complexity of the topic that you are training on.
• The number of shoot locations.
• The type of video that you are creating.
• Whether there are special effects in the video.
• Whether there is animation in the video.
• How large the film crew is for the video.
• How many days the video takes to film.
• How much experience your film crew has.

You’ll see in the next section, where we break down the cost of film crew for each operation involved in training video production, that prices and rates can vary greatly even by each individual film crew member. For example, if you were to hire a cameraman that is fresh out of college, you’re almost certainly going to pay less to film your training video than if you were to hire a cameraman that has 10 or 20 years of experience with proven expertise in the industry. The same goes for other members of the film crew including your producer, director, script writer, and anyone else involved in the production of your training video.

Individual Film Crew Day Rates

Another consideration that comes up when a client asks, “What’s the cost per minute of training video production,” is the individual day rates for each of the film crew members. Most film crew members will have what is called a “day rate” which is their estimated rate for 8-12 hours of shooting. Many will also have a “half-day rate” which is for 4 hours or less. Some will charge hourly.

Film crew rates are based on their individual professionalism, expertise and experience. The average rates for various film crew members that will be employed as part of producing your training video include:

• Film Director – up to $250 per hour
• Script Writer – up to $150 per hour
• Cameraman – up to $400 per hour
• Editor – up to $175 per hour
• Actors – up to $500 per hour
• Equipment – up to 100s per hour
• Studio shooting – up to $400 per hour
• Narrator – up to $400 per hour
• Audio files – up to $1000
• Video rendering – up to $75 per hour
• B-Roll – a percentage of the total between 10% and 50%
• Miscellaneous fees – can cost very little or up to 1000s extra

Now you can see, when you ask, “What’s the cost per minute of training video production,” there are so many variables that come into play just when figuring up the cost of production. These rates are in addition to things like renting out locations, paying for an editor, and various other expenses that can come up along the way.

While the average training video is about 5 minutes, the individual cost per minute can vary greatly. You can expect to generally pay under $5,000 per minute if there are minimal effects and use of animation. However, if you intend to produce a training video that is complex, requires advanced use of special effects and animations, or a large crew you can expect to have to pay more.

At Beverly Boy Productions, we’ll work out the estimated cost and budget for your video with you prior to going to production so that you know exactly what to expect and why. To learn more about producing a training video with us, or for additional insight to your question, “What’s the cost per minute of training video production?” Give us a call!