The Top 3 Things Clients Want to Know -- Process, Timeline and Cost
After 15+ years producing videos and animations for clients, we've learned there are three things they always want to know:
- What is the process?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
Process
The process is the mysterious part to most clients. How do we go from an idea to a fully-fledged animation or produced video? To give clients an idea of our process, we have made a visual graphic which can be seen here on our website, or under "Our Process."
The process comes in three phases, Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production.
Pre-Production is generally the upfront planning. Production is the active role of creating. Post-Production is the editing, adding effects, music, refining, etc.
Animation Process
The precise steps can vary depending on the needs of the production but in short, an animation process would go like this:
Script > storyboard & concept art > client review & approve > content creation > animation & audio > 75% review & feedback > 90% review & feedback > final delivery.
Further information can be read about the animation process at this blog entry.
Interview Video Process
And for a video production where interview and/or b-roll video will be the primary driver, the process typically goes like this:
Planning for video shoot > video shooting > editing & audio > 75% review & feedback > 90% review & feedback > final delivery.
Further information can be read about the video production process at this blog entry.
Timeline
Again, it can vary depending on the specifics of the project but the typical timeline is 6 to 8 weeks from the time the script is finished and provided to us, to the delivery of the final edit. The 6-8 week timeline assumes timely (3-4 days) feedback from clients on reviews and decisions.
If the project is simple, it could take 3-4 weeks. If there is a hurry, we've been known to turn around a project in 2 weeks, but of course, a rush job comes with an extra cost for the additional effort that will likely eat into our evenings and weekends.
More complex jobs, naturally will take longer. For example, anything with multiple shoot locations that extend over a range of time.
Cost
The cost, of course, is the question that burns the most. We provide project-based quotes for each production because each project ends up being so unique! Ideally, to determine a quote for a client, we have a discussion about what you are looking for and what is expected of us, as well as what will be provided or handled by the client.
However, to give you a short answer, most of our projects are in the range of $2,700 to $6,250 for one 30-second to 3-minute animation or video.
That being said, if the production is very simple, and say we are editing footage provided by the client into a 1-minute highlight reel intended for internal use. That could very well cost less. But know that, no matter how simple your production is. The start-up cost can be high. For a full production that includes pre-production, production, and post-production phases, budget at the very least $2k.
On the flip side, if a client's project is going to require professional actors, multiple shoot locations over several days, and a larger video crew, that will undoubtedly cost more, most likely going into the double digits of thousands.
The Bottom Line
If you haven't gathered it from above, the answers to what is the process, timeline and cost, is high dependent on specifics. But hopefully the above gives you an idea at least what to expect. Feel welcome to reach out to Kohlitz to begin a discussion about your own project.