There is an age old faux pass that the clients do before they even know it. It goes something like this.

Client: Hello. I want a corporate video made for my company.

Media Designs representative: Great. What is your company and what kind of video do you want?

Client: We’re a leading logistics company. We want a process video.

Media Designs representative: Great! Let’s set up a meeting to discuss your movie.

Client: But first, tell me how much you guys charge for it.

Not so great. It is apparent that the client hadn’t done their homework about corporate films before deciding to get one made.

Let’s understand what we base our quotations on. Though it would have been easier if there were a math or a MRP on filming services, we do have certain variable which helps us decide on a price.  

5W1H—What, why, who, where, when and how.

What is the product or the service that your company provides?

Why are you making this movie? Basic purpose of the movie.

Who is the target audience?

Where? Location of the shoot and the number of days needed.

The types of equipment—cameras, lights, rigs and more, that need to be used also play a role.

The workflow is also important and may increase or decrease the price of your film.  Does your film include stock footage, heavy footage, motion graphics, 3D graphics or animation?

Having answered these questions, you may be given a quotation which may not be the last quotation. If changes need to be made after handing over the movie, or in case of an accident, the production house may charge extra.