What does it cost to make a video?

[Rocker949]

Has anyone had any experience with this? This isn't for me personally but for a band I'm closely involved with. Long story. But if anyone has any idea at all, I'd really like to know. The band is in Europe but the video would be shown in the U.S.--if it can get shown that is.

[The Golden Boy]

One of my old bands did a video. It was done over something like 3 gigs and a specific shoot. It was done with a video camera and edited by our guitar player on his PC. I don't think it actually cost a heck of a lot- but I know he put a lot of time into it-

[MatticusMania]

Yeah, if you have or know someone with some creativity you can make a really awesome video for practically nothing. You'll need:

1 video camera (preferably digital with a USB connection)
1 computer with video editing software. PCs often have Windows Movie Maker, which will suffiice, or go big and get a copy of Final Cut Pro.

1. Film footage. Whatever you want. Live shots. Silly Shots. Dramatic Shots. Its your video.
2. Upload footage to computer.
3. Edit footage.
4. ???
5. Profit.


*edit: otherwise I've seen people on craigslist charge anywhere from $100 to $5000, obviously some more professional than others.

If you happen to be in/near Southern California I'll make you a video for the cost of a cheap digital video camera (around $200 used) I'll make you a masterpiece!

[IanStephenson]

I edited one together for zero cash from some random footage the guitarist shot on his cam-corder while we recording out demo. It came out really well. I just used iMovie.

I did one for another band (and will be involved with a few more soon), that was done on a shoestring budget. The main costs were just feeding the crew, and paying for petrol. It's pretty easy to get people to help out, but you need to look after them while they're helping for you.

[Rocker949]

Thanks, I'll relay this info to the band members. It sounds like you guys really know what you're doing. I actually wasn't expecting answers this detailed.

[Easy8]

Cheap digital technology enables anybody to create a video for almost nothing. The Austin Music Network (local cable music channel) is flooded with unwatchable homemade videos. I would avoid graphics and animation completely. A little creativity and a lot of restraint will go a long way.

I played in a band in the 80's that was signed to CBS. We shot two videos with a local production company and the cost was $25,000.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_ltzwGWwk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDvlyq2GKu0



The guitar player I work with now did one by himself with his handicam (tripod and velcro) for nothing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7JM...eature=related

[Barkless Dog]

Depends on the level of professionalism( lighting, sound, crew) & media used.

Almost nothing if you do it yourself. Quite a bit if you use a professional company.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Easy8

I would avoid graphics and animation completely. A little creativity and a lot of restraint will go a long way.

Sound advice

[IanStephenson]

Just to give you an idea of what I put together:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4eJvfBMeClU

The main problem was that we never really intended to make a video. The guitarist shot some random footage, and rambled on with pretty random narration. Some of his comments were quite funny, so in the absense of any great shots, I used them to string the thing together. I think it works pretty well.

[DanRJBrasil]

Originally Posted by Easy8

Cheap digital technology enables anybody to create a video for almost nothing. The Austin Music Network (local cable music channel) is flooded with unwatchable homemade videos. I would avoid graphics and animation completely. A little creativity and a lot of restraint will go a long way.

I played in a band in the 80's that was signed to CBS. We shot two videos with a local production company and the cost was $25,000.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_ltzwGWwk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDvlyq2GKu0



The guitar player I work with now did one by himself with his handicam (tripod and velcro) for nothing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7JM...eature=related

This video is not available in your country. :O

[Easy8]

Originally Posted by DanRJBrasil

This video is not available in your country. :O

Hmm, dunno what to say about that.

The homemade video can be seen at:

http://johnmichaelrosemusic.com/

It's on the Media tab.

[dancehallclasher]

I'm going to go against the grain and say it will probably cost a lot to make any sort of video worth making. Sure, you CAN shoot a video on your Sony camcorder and edit it yourself but it'll probably look unprofessional and nobody will really want to watch it. I close those videos after about 10 seconds and curse whoever linked me to it.

A good-looking video takes a good camera and good lighting, and most importantly somebody who knows how to set up and light a shot! This costs money.

And of course editing is important too, important beyond a stark amateur's ability to do it. It also takes foresight. You need to plan in advance how things are going to fit together so you can get shots at different distances and angles all in the same day of shooting or else you're going to be wasting a lot of time going back to shoot which might introduce unforeseen continuity errors too.

The exception to all this is if you have a REALLY good idea, like OK Go did. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
But if you're just planning to make a video of the band playing instruments, don't even bother unless you have some decent equipment and SOMEBODY involved in it has studied filmmaking.