How much does it cost to produce a video? That's a question we hear all the time.  And my normal response, though it may appear to be flippant, is: How much does it cost to go grocery shopping?
The cost of your grocery bill depends on a lot of factors, as does the cost of video production.   Most of the costs are in labor - so a project that requires on-location shooting will naturally cost more than a video that uses stock footage or still photos.  Animated logos and special effects cost more than static titles.  And special lighting along with the use of a teleprompter, jib & dolly, and a make up artist, will require more people and equipment and therefore add to the bottom line of the production.  Just like when you add more to your grocery cart, the quality of your final product is usually proportionate to what you put in it.

If you have a concept, we're glad to sit down and work up a budget to pull off your idea on video.  We can also suggest ways to accomplish your ideas on your budget, in many cases.  Great ads stand out from the 'clutter'...or the rest of the ads on television.  They do it because they are unique, or because they are produced better than the other ads.  As video producers, it's sad to see a client spend a lot of hard-earned money to buy a big advertising campaign on television -- and then cut corners on production.  The result:  a poor ad that runs a lot of times.

There's a saying in our industry (and probably other industries):  "Do you want it fast, good or cheap?  Pick Two."

If it's fast and cheap...it won't be good.  If it's good and cheap...it won't be fast.  And if it's fast and good...it won't be cheap.

Consider the ingredients that can make your next video production or TV commercial better. A great ad doesn't have to break the bank.  Plan ahead, and talk to your production company about ways to use video to give your organization its best public face.

Watermark Productions is about results. Before the first frame is shot, we spend a great deal of time learning about our clients. Before we write a script, we’ll all know what our objective is. So before you call, think about why you want a video produced. Who is your audience? What do you want them to feel while they are watching the video? What do you want them to do after they watch? We’ll guide you through the process to make sure your video is not only technically and aesthetically pleasing…but also effective.

Bill Sammons is a former radio & television broadcaster. He worked as a reporter, anchor, videographer and producer at WBOC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Salisbury, MD, and went on to own and operate two FM radio stations in Delaware before starting Watermark Productions in 1999. Bill was named one of the Top 100 Producers in America in 2001 and one of the Top 30 Producers To Watch in 2004 by PRODUCER magazine (now STUDIO magazine).