Top Variables to Consider with TV Commercial Production Rates

Television advertising and broadcasting is something many brands avoid or simply cannot afford to do. There are so many variables that come into play and if you’re not sure exactly what you’re working with, you could find yourself in a position that is defeating. Determining exactly what it’s going to cost to produce a TV commercial is hard work. These are the top variables to consider with TV commercial production rates.

1. Length

First and foremost, the longer your commercial, the higher the general cost of production will be. As a rule of thumb, a 30-second commercial will cost roughly half of a 1-minute commercial. Of course, there are many other variables to consider with TV commercial production rates, but length is pretty self-explanatory.

2. Equipment

A professional production company comes with a host of equipment that can be used at their disposal. This is one of the greatest benefits of hiring a pro. Equipment costs can quickly add up if you’re renting. Consider the cost of a Boom, or a Crane, or other required equipment when planning your TV commercial production rates and costs out.

3. Professional Crew

When you hire a professional crew to create your television advertising, you’re paying several workers. Professional production crew rates are figured on a per day, or per hour basis. Keep in mind that a “shoot day” generally consists of 8 or 12 total hours. You might want to clarify this before signing any production contracts.

Average crew rates are as follows:

• Film Director – >$250 per hour
• Script Writer – >$150 per hour
• Cameraman – >$400 per hour
• Editor – >$175 per hour
• Actors – >$500 per hour
• Equipment – up to 100s per hour
• Studio Shooting – up to $400 per hour
• Narrator – >$400 per hour
• Audio Files – up to $1000
• Video Rendering – up to $75 per hour
• B-Roll – expect to pay a percentage between 10 and 50% of your total cost
• Miscellaneous Fees – can cost very little up to 1000s extra

4. Shoot Location

Where you shoot, and when, will also play into the total cost of your TV commercial production. Shooting on location in an area that is high volume, and requires a lot of permitting will naturally cost more than shooting in a studio. Keep this in mind as you plan the total rates and costs involved in your production.

5. Experience

A professional crew that has vast experience in producing TV commercials is going to charge more per hour than someone that is new to this. However, with experience comes expertise and professionalism. You get what you pay for. Expect the TV commercial production rates for an experienced crew to be on the higher end of the production fee spectrum versus hiring someone with less experience. If you’re on a tight budget, consider someone with a little less experienced, but great references as a solid win.

Ready to hire a pro? Give Beverly Boy Productions a call!