Start with the job the video needs to do
Before asking for a price, decide what the viewer should understand or do after watching. Are you introducing your business on your website, showing a product in use, promoting an opening or building a library of social content?
These goals change the production. An interview needs a suitable space and clear sound. A product film may need controlled lighting and detailed close-ups. A restaurant shoot may need dishes prepared in a particular order and time set aside before service. The useful question is: what work is required to tell this story properly?
The six things that shape a production quote
1. Planning and creative development
A clear brief, a shot list and an agreed direction reduce uncertainty on the day. Ask whether the quote includes concept development, scripting, interview questions, location planning and a production schedule. If your team is supplying any of these, say so at the start.
2. Filming time and locations
The schedule includes setting up, moving equipment, preparing people and capturing the footage. Several locations introduce travel and additional setup time. Even within one building, moving from a noisy reception to a quiet interview room can affect the plan.
For a shoot in Slough, Reading or London, share the exact location, access times and any parking or loading restrictions. These details help a production team scope the day accurately.
3. Crew and equipment
A simple shoot and a production involving several people, lighting setups and simultaneous activities call for different resources. Ask what the proposed crew will handle and why the equipment is appropriate. A longer equipment list is not, by itself, a reason to choose a quote.
4. Editing and finishing
The final runtime does not describe all the editing work. Selecting footage, shaping a story, cleaning dialogue, choosing music, colour work and graphics can require substantial attention. A short film with detailed motion graphics may involve more finishing than a longer, straightforward interview.
5. Deliverables and versions
Define what counts as a finished asset. A new edit with a different story is different from a crop of the same film. A vertical version may need its framing, captions and graphics adjusted rather than simply exporting the original file again.
Agree the number of edits, approximate lengths, orientations, caption requirements and intended channels. Also ask whether still photography, thumbnails or raw footage are included if you need them.
6. Revisions and usage
Ask how feedback rounds work, who will approve the edit and what happens if the brief changes after filming. Clarify the intended use of music, footage and any third-party assets with the production team. The proposal should make the scope understandable before you commit.
Compare these three example briefs
- A social content shoot: one location, several planned product or service demonstrations, and a small set of vertical edits.
- A business introduction: an interview, supporting footage of the team and premises, and a main website film with agreed shorter versions.
- A launch production: coverage of a live opening, key moments that cannot be repeated, and an event edit with selected social clips.
These are illustrative scopes, not PRMOTE packages or fixed prices. The purpose is to show why “one day of filming” is not enough information to compare two proposals.
How to compare quotes without missing the important details
Put each proposal against the same list: planning, filming hours, locations, crew, finished assets, finishing, feedback rounds, delivery schedule and any additional expenses. Check whether taxes are included or added. Ask about anything left open rather than assuming it is covered.
If the scope exceeds your budget, prioritise. You might start with one location, one clear message and a smaller number of useful edits. Keeping the brief focused is often a better production decision than trying to squeeze every idea into the same shoot.
Send this information with your enquiry
- What your business does and who you want to reach.
- The action you want viewers to take.
- The shoot location and preferred timing.
- Where the content will appear.
- The assets you need, including orientation and approximate length.
- Your available budget and any examples that explain the direction.
You do not need a finished script. A useful starting brief is enough to begin a conversation. Our content shoot checklist helps you organise the practical details.
Planning a shoot in Slough, Berkshire or London?
Explore PRMOTE’s video production and content shoot services and see an example of our YoungLA brand film work. We can discuss the story, the production requirements and the deliverables before preparing a project quote.
Tell us about your video project, including your location, timing and budget, so we can recommend a suitable approach.
