Question 1

What makes video production costs go up?

Accepted Answer

Several factors can drive up video production costs, including:

More production days: The video production industry works on "day rates," so the more days are needed for filming, the higher the cost. We pride ourselves on working incredibly fast while capturing a ton of deliverables at a high level; however, some projects require more days to achieve the project’s creative needs.

Larger crew sizes: Some productions require more hands on deck to achieve the project goals. While we optimize crew size for efficiency, certain roles are necessary to execute at a high level.

Crew skill level: We strive to hire the best crew members in every position (including having our internal team fulfill the primary crew roles); however, we can source crew at all skill levels to support a range of budgets. If you were drawn to our portfolio, those projects were achieved by each brand trusting our advice on the crew size & skill level needed to achieve their project.

External vs. in-house: If stages of the video production process are outsourced to multiple companies / vendors, costs often increase due to multiple markups from separate vendors.

Question 2

What helps lower video production costs?

Accepted Answer

Adjusting crew skill level: While we prioritize working with the best, we can tailor crew selection to fit a range of budgets & project needs.

Minimizing production days: If the amount of production days go down, the costs go down.

Keeping everything under one roof: Packaging Creative, Production, and Post with the same company rather than separating the vendors streamlines the process, reduces redundancies, and ensures the best final product. We know our footage inside & out, making us the fastest & most effective at delivering the best result.

Question 3

Why are some video production companies expensive?

Accepted Answer

High-cost companies typically:

Choose the best crew: They work with top-tier professionals in every crew position.

Use the highest-end equipment: Cutting-edge cameras, lighting, and audio equipment come at a price.

Make award-winning work: Recognized studios with a reputation for excellence often have premium rates.

Operate in major markets: Costs are naturally higher in cities like Los Angeles, New York, or other industry hubs.

Sometimes inflate pricing: Some companies overcharge based on longevity or reputation without necessarily delivering better results.

Question 4

Why are some video production companies cheap?

Accepted Answer

Lower-cost companies often cut corners by:

Hiring the lowest-cost crew: Some companies prioritize profits over quality, hiring amateur crews at low rates and keeping more of the budget for themselves.

Using cheap equipment: Using the lowest-tier cameras, microphones, and lighting can result in low quality footage, unusable audio, and subpar color quality. In addition to quality sacrifices, using the cheapest equipment can compromise safety on set. Unstable equipment such as light stands at worst can cause injuries, and at best can leave you feeling embarrassed (ie. a microphone falling on your high-profile interviewee).

Overpromising & underdelivering: Inexperienced teams may say they can execute at a high level, but lack the skills to follow through.

Question 5

Where does Oxenfree fall in this spectrum?

Accepted Answer

We consider ourselves capable of delivering some of the best work possible; however, we strive to maintain that same quality across varying budgets & project sizes. Here’s our approach:

We provide a multitude of solutions for your project so you can weigh factors like production days, crew size, and level of talent needed to accomplish your project. We will always have a top recommendation that achieves everything you’re looking for, but we will also give you options to flex up & down based on your needs. No matter your budget, we strive to put as much of the money on the screen as possible rather than keeping it for ourselves.

We’re capable of handling all aspects of video production in-house, from creative development to the final export. This ensures consistency across all stages of the project and streamlines the process by providing an all-in-one solution.

We prioritize cutting-edge equipment & workflows that solve production challenges at unprecedented speed, and ensure the final product is executed at the highest level.

We have over a decade of experience in video production, with our work earning recognition from the Emmy Awards, the Telly Awards, the American Advertising Awards, and more. We strive to deliver Netflix-ready-level films with every project, no matter the project scale.

We have built a network of trusted crew across the globe who are the best at what they do (including our internal team). No matter what market you are in, we tailor our crew & solutions to meet your project needs.

All this to say, we are not the cheapest option. We focus on value: delivering exceptional work while staying efficient.

We like to stay busy and book most of our days of the month, but we'd love the chance to work together if we can.

Have a project? Let’s get started.

Project costs

ESTIMATING YOUR

What makes video production costs go up?

What helps lower video production costs?

Why are some video production companies expensive?

Why are some video production companies cheap?

Where does Oxenfree fall in this spectrum?