Aerial View of Albany Industries new West Coast distribution center.
1. Start With the End in Mind
In the famous words of Stephan R. Covey, whether it is a video project or any project for that matter, it is best to start with the end in mind!
When you’re planning a video, it’s tempting to jump straight into creative ideas—but trust me, you’ll save yourself a ton of stress (and money) if you start with clear goals and a ballpark budget. Are we creating a short social media spot or a full-blown brand video? Knowing the purpose and where it’ll live (YouTube, TV, Social Media or even internal use) helps set realistic expectations for scope and costs. I always tell clients: your budget should reflect your goals, not just your dreams.
2. Break It Down Like a Grocery List
One of the first things I do when mapping out a budget is break everything down into line items. Think pre-production, production, and post-production—each with its own costs. That means things like scripting, location scouting, gear rentals, crew, editing, color correction, music licensing, and so on. Or if you want it done at a firm price, it is always good to contact a few reputable local production companies. Here at Levitate Media Group, we take the time to understand your vision, by asking detailed questions so we know what you are expecting. Then we offer a fixed price for the entire production.
If you want to do it yourself, then please read on.
3. Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs
Here’s the kicker—there are always costs people forget. Things like transportation, meals for the crew, parking, insurance, and last-minute changes can eat into your budget fast. At Levitate, we’ve built in buffers for these exact scenarios because we’ve seen it all (yes, including surprise rainstorms and runaway props). A good rule of thumb? Add 10–15% for contingencies.
4. Invest Where It Matters Most
Not all parts of your video need a Hollywood-level budget. I always recommend investing in the areas that make the biggest impact—like quality sound (bad audio ruins even the prettiest shots) and an editor who understands your brand’s vibe. You can scale back on things like elaborate props or background extras if they don’t move the needle.
5. Communicate and Collaborate
The best budgets are built with transparency. At Levitate, we love it when clients come to us early in the process so we can work together to prioritize and stretch every dollar. If something’s out of budget, we brainstorm creative alternatives—like using stock footage, shooting locally, or scaling down production days. The key is collaboration, not compromise.
Need help building a budget for your next video? Let’s chat. Here at Levitate Media Group, we’ve done this hundreds of times and can help you make something amazing without breaking the bank.
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