How Much Does a Brand Video Cost in Vancouver? (And What Affects the Price)
One of the most common questions I get — usually in that first email before a discovery call — is some version of: "How much does a brand video cost?"
I get it. It's the question everyone wants answered before they invest time in a conversation. So let me be straight with you.
The Short Answer
For a full-scale documentary-style brand video with pre-production, a shoot day or two, and a complete post-production process, most projects I work on fall in the $10,000–$20,000 range. Some projects are higher. Some — depending on scope — can be designed to be leaner.
That's a wide range, I know. But the price of a brand video isn't arbitrary. It's shaped by a set of real variables, and understanding them will help you figure out exactly what you need — and what you're actually paying for.
What Drives the Cost of a Brand Video
1. Pre-Production Depth
This is the part most people don't budget for — and the part that usually determines whether the final video is great or just okay. Before I ever pick up a camera, there's a meaningful amount of work that goes into shaping the story: pre-interviews with subjects, developing narrative frameworks, building shot lists, scouting locations, and aligning creatively with you on direction and tone.
A video with a thoughtful pre-production process almost always turns out better. Clients who've tried to skip this step tend to regret it.
2. Shoot Days
A single-subject brand story filmed in one location over one afternoon is naturally less expensive than a multi-day shoot with travel, multiple interview subjects, and complex b-roll across several locations. Most projects I work on involve one to three shoot days.
3. Crew Size
I often work as a small, nimble crew — which keeps costs down without sacrificing quality. For larger productions, I bring in trusted collaborators: dedicated director of photography, second camera operator, sound recordist, production assistant. Each addition adds to the budget, but also adds to what's possible on set.
4. Post-Production Scope
Editing is where stories are made. A solid post-production process includes the edit itself, colour grading, sound design, licensed music, motion graphics (if needed), and a couple revision rounds. If you also need cutdowns for Instagram, LinkedIn, or other platforms, that's additional time I build into the quote.
Rush delivery is also a factor. If you need it in a week instead of the standard 3-4 weeks, that affects the rate.
5. Travel
I'm based in Vancouver but work across Canada and beyond. If your project takes us outside the Lower Mainland, travel costs — flights, accommodation, per diems — are factored into the quote.
Why Does This Cost More Than a Freelancer on Craigslist?
Fair question. There are people who will shoot a video for $500. And sometimes that's perfectly fine for a quick social clip.
But if you're trying to tell a story that reflects the real depth of your brand, build trust with your audience, or create something your team is genuinely proud of — you're investing in a process, not just a shoot day. You're paying for someone who thinks like a filmmaker, not just a camera operator. Someone who'll spend time before the shoot understanding your story, and time after the shoot crafting something that actually lands.
The videos I make are built to last. They live on your website, get shared at conferences, anchor your social presence for years. In that context, the investment tends to make a lot of sense.
So What Should You Budget For?
Here's a rough guide to help frame it:
Under $5K: You're likely looking at a very simple shoot with minimal pre and post-production. Possible, but limiting.
$5K–$10K: A solid mid-range production — one shoot day, a focused story, clean post. Good for smaller businesses or tightly scoped projects.
$10K–$20K: This is where most of my full-scale projects sit. Multi-day shoots, full post-production, documentary-level storytelling.
$20K+: Larger campaigns, multi-subject documentaries, series work, or productions requiring significant travel or crew.
The Best Way to Know What Your Project Costs
Send me a message and tell me what you're trying to make. I'll ask a few questions about your goals, your audience, and your timeline — and put together a proposal that's tailored to your actual needs. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Most clients hear back from me within 24 hours. And the first conversation is always free.