In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, captivating and effective commercial videos are essential for any brand looking to grow revenue and build brand awareness. At Story Machine, we specialise in creating dynamic and engaging online commercials for platforms like Meta, YouTube, Video Display ads, BVOD, SVOD, and traditional television. Consequently, our expertise in commercial video production ensures your brand’s message reaches and resonates with your target audience across various media channels.

How are Commercials Different from Other Videos?

Commercial video production focuses on creating videos specifically designed for advertising and promotional purposes. These videos aim to promote products, services, brands, or organizations. They are commonly used in marketing campaigns across various platforms, including television, online platforms, social media, and digital advertising channels.

What is the Process?

Creating high-quality video content requires meticulous planning, creativity, and a structured approach. We pride ourselves on our streamlined production process, ensuring every project meets the highest standards of excellence. Here’s a detailed look at our comprehensive video production process:

• Initial Consultation and Briefing: The production journey begins with an initial consultation where we discuss the client’s needs, goals, and vision. This stage involves understanding the target audience, key messages, and specific requirements. Therefore, our team gathers all necessary information to create a detailed project brief, serving as the foundation for the entire production.

• Pre-Production: This phase includes setting objectives, scriptwriting, storyboarding, location scouting, casting, and scheduling. Furthermore, we cover all logistical details to create a solid plan for the shoot.

• Production: The production phase involves capturing footage using professional cameras, lighting, sound recording devices, and other necessary tools. Our team directs talent and manages the crew to ensure everything runs smoothly and all necessary footage is captured.

• Post-Production: In post-production, we edit the captured footage to create a polished final product. This stage includes video editing, sound design, color grading, adding motion graphics, and integrating visual effects. Ultimately, we ensure that the video aligns with the client’s vision and meets the highest quality standards.

How Much Can You Film in a Day?

Most commercial videos, including ads typically ranging from 15 to 60 seconds, are shot over a full 10-hour production day. Typically, we can film 1-4 scenes and capture 10-32 shots per day, depending on complexity. The number of scenes and shots depends on various factors such as the setup time for each shot, the complexity of the scenes, and the efficiency of the production team. Therefore, many clients choose simpler concepts to maximise deliverables, allowing for multiple ads to be produced in one day. This approach maximises ROI by utilising the same setup and resources efficiently. Moreover, straightforward setups with minimal location changes and uncomplicated scenes reduce transition times and adjustments, enabling more shots to be captured. This efficiency in production saves costs and provides flexibility in post-production, where additional versions or cutdowns can be created from the footage captured in a single day.

How Much Does Commercial Video Production Cost?

Standard Commercial Budgets:
Most commercial videos are shot over a full 10-hour production day at one or two locations. The average cost, including talent, location, crew, and props, generally falls between $60,000 and $70,000.

• General Budget Range: $50,000 – $90,000 ex GST*

Example: Pilot 30s VOD commercial

Low Budget Commercials:
Impactful videos can be created without a large budget. With a strong concept and the right team, it’s possible to produce one high-quality 15-30 second commercial within a 10-hour production day, along with additional cutdowns.

• General Budget Range: $30,000 – $50,000 ex GST*

Example: Mundicare 15s TV commercial

Complex Commercials:
For ambitious projects involving multiple scenes across different locations or requiring custom set builds, budgets can vary greatly depending on the brief, concept, and requirements. In some cases, celebrity talent for example, can push production budgets into this category. For more information, read our blog post of talent costs here.

• Budget Range: $100,000 – $300,000 ex GST*

Example: Nimble 30s TV commercial

How Long Does Commercial Video Production Take?

The duration of commercial video production depends on the project’s complexity and approval processes. It can be as short as three weeks or as long as twelve weeks, but generally, projects take between five and eight weeks to complete.

Why Choose Story Machine for Your Commercial Video Production?

Since 2012, Story Machine has been at the forefront of commercial video production in Sydney, delivering award-winning videos that stand out. Our team of experienced directors, producers, and creative professionals work closely with clients to develop compelling video content that aligns with their brand’s vision and objectives. We’ve created commercials for some of the largest brands in the world, as well as leading small and medium-sized businesses. Our work has been viewed over 1 billion times, and we’ve won numerous industry awards. Our dedication to quality and creativity ensures that your commercial video will make a lasting impact and drive success.Creating a successful commercial video can be complex, but with Story Machine, it doesn’t have to be. We guide clients through every step of the process, ensuring a seamless experience and a final product that exceeds expectations. Ready to elevate your brand with a compelling commercial video? Contact us today to bring your vision to life!