Business Video
How Much Does Video Production Cost in Southern California? IE, LA, OC & San Diego Compared
Quick answer
Video production in Southern California costs from a few thousand dollars for a focused one-day shoot to tens of thousands for a multi-day brand film. Shoot days, crew size, locations and editing set the price. The city changes the price less than most people think. Travel time, permits and location fees cause most of the difference.
Key takeaways
- Shoot days, crew, locations and editing set the price in every city.
- The Inland Empire is usually the lowest-cost market for local businesses.
- LA adds permits and location fees; San Diego adds travel time from an IE crew.
- A fixed-scope proposal shows every cost before you approve it.
What sets the price in every market
Four things set the cost of a commercial video. The city is not one of them.
- Shoot days. One day costs less than two. Batch several videos into one day to lower the cost of each.
- Crew. A crew of two or three costs less than a full crew with a gaffer, sound mixer and producer.
- Locations. One interior is simple. Several locations add move time and sometimes permits.
- Post-production. A clean edit costs less than motion graphics and a full color grade.
Inland Empire
The Inland Empire is usually the lowest-cost market for local businesses. Crews live here, so there is little travel time. Most city filming permits are simple. Our crew is based here, so IE shoots carry no travel fee. See Inland Empire video production.
Los Angeles
LA has the most crew and gear in the country. Cost rises with permits and location fees. Filming on public property in Los Angeles usually needs a permit through FilmLA. Budget extra time for traffic between locations. See Los Angeles video production.
Orange County
Orange County cost is close to the Inland Empire for most shoots. Luxury real estate and hospitality shoots often need drone work. Airspace near John Wayne Airport can affect drone plans, so plan aerials early. See Orange County video production.
San Diego
San Diego shoots from an Inland Empire crew include travel time. Ask any crew how they price travel. We put travel in the fixed-scope proposal, so the price you approve is the price you pay. North County and Temecula are the closest San Diego-area locations for an IE crew. See San Diego video production.
How to lower the cost in any city
- Film several videos in one shoot day.
- Decide formats (9:16, 4:5, 16:9) before the shoot.
- Shoot photos and video on the same day.
- Choose one location with several looks instead of several locations.
