It's a no-brainer in 2021 that video ads perform better than static images, yet the perceived high costs are commonly cited as a barrier that brands have to deal with when entering the video space.
Big 3 Basics is your practical solution for creating videos without burning a hole in your wallet. By employing the clever use of cutting edge video production technology and lean crew methodologies, coupled with years of experience in sensible video production, we have managed to make video production services affordable for everyone. And by affordable, we mean REALLY affordable as our services can start from only $800. Talk about getting the most value for your investment!
If you’re looking to produce a television commercial (TVC) or corporate video, you don’t need to pay top dollar to create a video that stands out in today’s crowded media landscape. Some expenditures in video production cannot be avoided such as large crews, expensive equipment and more, but there are ways you can save money on your production without sacrificing the video quality which is where Big 3 Basics comes into play.
Big 3 Basics can create a myriad of video formats - ranging from live-action packages (product spotlights, feature videos, etc) to animation packages (feature videos, subtitling, etc). This service is an ideal price point for businesses looking to produce videos on a tight budget, and ensures that you can maximise the use of limited resources to get the best bang for your buck!
If you’re interested in Big 3 Media’s Basics services, connect with us here.
Another ultra-affordable option is Big 3 Media’s Video Production Subscription Service called En3 which allows you to create unlimited full quality videos for as low as $1,800 per month.
Choose from a range of video subscription packages that give you monthly shoot days, live streaming, video editing, marketing consultation, and more! Throughout your subscription of En3, you’ll be working with a designated video producer and team who advise and support you through all your video production needs. All subscription packages also come with access to our professional studios and on-site shoots for designated shoot days - at no additional charge!
As En3 is powered by Big 3 Media, you can rest assured that your next En3 video will be produced by experts and undergo the same rigorous quality checks and dedication as any Big 3 Media projects.
For more information on En3, you can contact us here.
Another good option is hiring an in-house video crew. Going the in-house route certainly has its advantages - since you’re technically their only “client”, they have more capacity to understand your brand and function more like full-time staff members. This makes them more flexible to changes than an external vendor and can help you to speed up your video production process.
The downside to hiring an in-house crew is still cost. Unless you need videos to be produced regularly and at a certain quality, it can be hard to justify the cost of paying almost $3000 to $6000 monthly on salaries for an experienced full-time in-house videographer. If you can’t afford to pay a higher salary, then it can also be hard to attract experienced filmmakers to join your team. On top of that, your company will need to invest in video equipment, software, and studio space to ensure that your videos can stand out from the competition.
If video quality is the main concern, then your best bet is to hire a full crew video production company - preferably one that’s well-established in the industry and with a good track record and showreel.
Video production companies serve as a one-stop-shop when it comes to video production services. Being experienced professionals, they’ll handle everything from pre-production (scripting, ideation, planning) to production (equipment, location, crew) and post-production (editing, colouring, audio). For most video production companies, a single project usually involves several teams of experienced crew members, who each have dedicated roles to ensure that the video production is a success.
This means that you don’t have to be as involved in the production process (as with option 1 & 2), and saves you time to go about managing your time. In the long run, it also costs you less than hiring an in-house crew (option 3) if you’re only planning to produce a single high-quality video.
Having said that, it’s important to remember that you must be prepared to pay a premium for this level of quality, typically from $8000 and above. Choosing this option can get quite expensive, especially for large-scale productions, but depending on your needs, it would be a high-quality option. Conversely, if your goal is to produce a simple video that doesn’t have any special requirements, hiring a full crew video production might be an overkill.
Doing a DIY video production is a viable option for businesses that don’t have the budget to engage a professional video production company.
Smartphones camera technology has been constantly evolving over the years. A smartphone will cost you less than a Canon EOS 5D or Sony α7S, and can perform at a level that rivals most entry-level video cameras! Check out this video from Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” series:
To elevate your DIY video production quality, consider investing in some basic lighting and audio equipment; well-lit shots and crisp audio quality go a long way in making your video look and feel more professional.
Once you’ve shot your video, you can edit your video editing software. If you’re on a budget, you can choose free options like iMovie or DaVinci Resolve (read our article on How To Edit Videos Like A Pro).
One thing to note about DIY video production is that even though it costs you less money, it is your time that is being sacrificed, since video production is a time-consuming process - especially if you’ve never done it before. Time is money and not everyone has the time to pick up filmmaking and you will have to make a fair amount of mistakes and trial and error. Also being a rookie, you run the risk of making mistakes that can affect the quality of your video. If you value your time for more important things, choose a professional to get it right for you.
Your next option is hiring a freelancer to produce your video. Freelancers typically charge a lower rate than professional video production companies, since they’re usually a leaner operation with less overhead costs to cover.
When engaging a freelancer, it’s important to be clear on their scope of work. Some freelancers may not cover scripting, ideation, equipment, post-production, etc - all of which are crucial for the success of the video production. With freelancers, you also run the risk of hiring someone inexperienced and just starting out - so make sure you check their credentials and portfolio before engaging any freelance worker.
Similar to the DIY option, hiring a freelancer may cost you less money, but requires you to invest more time and be more involved in the whole video production process, - Once again, your time is money so gauge the time that you can afford.
Thanks for taking the time to read our article! We hope that you now have a better idea of what video production options to choose from for your business. Additionally, if you're interested in learning more about Big 3 Basics services, you can get in touch with us here or fill up the form below.
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