Developing a Budget For Your Project

Budget requirements vary considerably based upon program length, content development, shooting locations and other factors. The price structure for services provided by The Video Group is set by the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors.

We strongly recommend that you contact The Video Group before you submit a grant proposal, to help you budget an appropriate amount of time and funding to create a quality product. Scheduling depends on our current project load as well as the scope of the project you are proposing. The sooner you contact us, the better we will be able to accommodate your needs. For the scheduling of full studio productions, we usually require a minimum of 30 days notice. Our field production services can usually be scheduled within two weeks. Post-production and editing services are normally scheduled at the same time, and are based upon the production work timeline. We will work with you to help you meet tight deadlines in emergency situations. To ensure there are no hidden costs or last-minute surprises for client or producer, we require that all productions have written approval of budget and time-line estimates prior to project start. Change orders must be requested in writing and approved in writing prior to contract modification.

Examples of Production Projects and Costs

Here is an example of the cost estimate for a half-day (4 hours) of location production on the university campus, including simple post-production and delivery. Production services to include: 1 producer/videographer at $35 per hour, 1 assistant at $20 per hour, digital broadcast camera at $35 per hour, 1 microphone at $25 each, 1 master recording tape at $42.60 each, a VHS time-code window dub for off-line edit selection at $7 each, with 2 hours of post-production editing at $50 per hour, and a DVD copy of edited product at $15 each. Total production estimate $550.

Here is an example of the cost estimate for a half-day (4 hours) of location production off-campus with location lighting and multiple audio sources, including post-production and delivery. Production services to include: a 90-minute site survey at $25 per hour, 1 producer/videographer at $35 per hour, 1 lighting director at $35 per hour, 1 production assistant at $20 per hour, 1 broadcast camera at $35 per hour, 1 location lighting kit at $25 per hour, 2 microphones at $25 each, 1 production van at $55, 1 master recording tape at $42.60 each, 1 VHS time-code window dub for off-line edit selection at $7 each, 8 hours of post-production editing at $50 per hour, and two DVD copies of edited product at $15 each. Total production estimate $1,372.

Here is an example of the cost estimate for a full day (8 hours) of production in the television studio at Old Dominion University, including post-production and delivery. Production services to include: 1 producer at $35 per hour, 1 director at $35 per hour, 3 camera operators at $35 per hour, 1 audio tech at $30 per hour, 1 Floor Director/TelePrompter operator at $30 per hour, production studio at $125 per hour, 1 master recording tape at $42.60 each, 1 VHS time-code window dub for edit selection at $7 each, 16 hours of post-production editing at $50 per hour, and 2 DVD copies of edited product at $15 each. Total production estimate $3,760.

Some of the other costs that can be incurred for video production include: pre-production meetings and planning at $30 per hour, graphics design and development at $30 per hour, make-up artist at $100 per day, set design and construction at $25 per hour plus material costs, and music editing and mixdown at $20 per hour. Talent fees for performers, announcers, and custom music creation are negotiable on a per-project basis.

Producing a Successful Project

Whether you are creating a full-length video, a distance-delivered training session, or recording a live special event, the production team of Old Dominion University's Video Group can help you plan the entire process and ensure a successful result. Contact The Video Group, come take a tour of our facilities, and let us show you some of our recent projects that have earned praise and awards for their excellence.