How Much Does It Cost to Make a Branded Content Commercial?

A green screen set-up from one of our shoots in early 2025

One of the first questions I ALWAYS get asked about creating a short branded content film is: “How much would it cost?”

I have tried so many different ways to standardise our production services but I just haven’t been able to as the costs vary so much depending on soooooo many factors. So here’s a brief lowdown on what shapes a production budget:

Creative Approach:

A straight-forward interview is less resource-intensive than a human-led, cinematic film. There’s a ton of preparation that goes into a compelling story before we even reach shoot-day, like story outline, storyboarding, look & feel, cinematic approach etc.

Shoot Location:

Filming in Malaysia is not going to cost the same as filming in Japan for example. Crew costs are not even comparable! Sometimes we also need a translator and this cost needs to be included in all phases of production (pre, prod & post). If the project allows, we work with our clients on selecting the locations which fit the budget we’ve been set. If the shoot location is out of our control, then read on to see how else we can shape the production.

Production Scale:

The size of the crew, type of equipment and the number of shooting days all play a role. For example, event videos with interviews can usually be filmed in one day. The human stories on our Portfolio page are at least 2-day shoots, so that’s double the crew time and fee. We usually like to work with a lean (local) crew and equipment as it means we can move faster, takes less time setting up and packing away to move to the next location.

Talent & Number of Locations:

The contributor(s), professional actors, extras to fill any spaces or particular filming locations can make or break the visual story but they also increase costs. For example, if the contributor is talking about their work on the ocean like Martina does in the Samsung film, it might make sense to film them on the water. If we need to get our cameras out on boats, that’s additional cost. Depending on where we are in the ocean and the conditions, we might need to employ a water safety team to assist us, so you can see how the costs start to rise. But there are also very cost-effective ways to film in the water as alternatives, it really just depends on the story.

Post-Production:

When we edit, we provide music and sometimes stock footage (if needed) and simple graphics. If the film needs more complex graphics or animation, this is an additional cost as it’s an additional skillset. We sound mix and colour grade our films as part of post-production.

Is it worth the investment?

For sure! And you can get more value from the whole production by getting shorter versions edited for different social media platforms like 15, 30 and 60 second cuts or stand-alone deliverables.

When it’s done right, it evokes emotions, builds trust with the brand and connects with audiences in a way that lasts.

The cost isn’t just about making a video…it’s about creating a piece of content that moves people and drives results.

So if you’re considering branded content for your business, hit me up on aimee@bigboatfilms.com. We’ll help you find the right approach, scale production to match your goal and craft a story that truly resonates with your audience.

Small print: I actually wrote this, not ChatGPT :) Any typos, incorrect grammar, bad slang etc., that's on me!