Corporate Film Costs – What Your Perfect Corporate Film Costs
A professional corporate film usually costs between 10,000 and 50,000 euros – but when are corporate film costs appropriate? And what do you actually get for them? Read the key facts about how corporate film costs are made up and get a first overview as the basis for your perfect corporate film.
Counter-question: how much does a vehicle or a building cost?
You may already suspect it: the costs depend on the type. Which vehicle do we mean? A small car, an estate, a vintage car or a sports car? And by “building”, do we mean a detached house or an office complex?
So to estimate how much a corporate film costs, we first have to clarify what exactly a corporate film is.
The term “Imagefilm” (corporate film) is often used for any kind of company film. So here is a short definition of what a corporate film is.
“Corporate film” is often used as a synonym for any kind of company film. The “real” corporate film is about 2–7 minutes long and presents the company as a whole to a broad target group in order to enhance its image. It is mainly used online.
Pathfinder Studios Filmproduktion GmbH
If you have a different aim with your company film, these articles may be of interest to you:
Why it is so hard to find reliable figures for corporate film costs
Knowing roughly how much a product or service costs is not only the basis of our budget and financial planning. It also makes us feel confident when deciding to buy.
For most things in life, we have at least a rough idea of cost, price and value – be it a litre of milk, a new office chair or a summer holiday. We even know roughly what a detached house in our town would cost.
So why is it so difficult to get solid information about corporate film costs? Why do you find dubious offers like €199 and, at the same time, six-figure sums for glossy examples?
The answer comes down to two things.
The term “corporate film” is not (always) clearly defined (see above).
A corporate film is a service conglomerate made up of many factors (trades, licences and usage rights).
Let’s shed some light on these factors together:
By the way: you get the most comprehensive overview of corporate films in our free handbook (in German):
Over 30 best-practice examples, useful tips and ways to use it. Available to download immediately and 100% free!
How corporate film costs are made up
Enough theory – let’s get practical!
So you know which end product you want; now we need the list of ingredients so we can go shopping. Because a corporate film is not a fixed product (like a litre of milk or an office chair) whose price is only affected by quality, brand and features. It is more comparable to an individual service, always tailored to you and your company.
A corporate film – like every other company film – is made in three production stages with four cost centres. Each has its own day rates and costs, which together add up to the total price of our corporate film:
Pre-production (idea, planning, script)
Shooting (and … action!)
Post-production (editing, sound, graphic design)
Fees & licences
Sample corporate film calculation
Note: the figures below are very rough averages and are only meant to give you a rough idea. Be sure to have a film production company or agency assess your individual needs and prepare a no-obligation estimate. You might be surprised how affordable your corporate film can be.
How much do a corporate film concept and script cost?
This is often another way of asking “How much does pre-production cost?”, because the script is the most tangible part of this stage. What else happens here and how much work it involves:
Concept, storyboard and script (effort: approx. 1–5 days)
Research, casting, location scouting, travel planning etc. (effort: approx. 0.5–2 days; often also charged as a flat fee)
Workshops and meetings (effort: approx. 0.5–2 days; usually billed by the hour plus travel costs)
In total, pre-production for a corporate film, including feedback and correction rounds, comes to 1,000 to 10,000 euros, depending on scope.
How much does a shooting day cost?
The cost of a shooting day is completely variable and can hardly be estimated, if at all, without a concept and ideally a scouting visit first. Every shooting day consists of a variable amount of:
Crew (staff)
Equipment (camera, sound and lighting technology)
Set (location, possibly including props, wardrobe etc.)
Cast (actors), which we list further down under “Fees and licences”
Depending on the requirements, the crew for a corporate film consists of 4 to 10 people, in exceptional cases more. Each person has a day rate of 350–1,500 euros.
Equipment is needed for camera, lighting, sound, grip and accessories, with day rates ranging from a few euros for tripods and 50–150 euros per lamp up to 250–1,500 euros per camera.
Set: the cheapest location is your own premises. Alternatively, studios or special film properties can be rented (and set up/furnished). The rule of thumb here: one day’s film rental is equivalent to one month’s rent for the property, i.e. around 800 to 2,000 euros.
A shooting day therefore comes to around 2,000 to 10,000 euros.
Tip: many film production companies offer flat-rate shooting days, especially for small and medium-sized companies. You benefit from manageable invoices and everything handled by one provider.
How many shooting days are needed?
The number of shooting days depends on three things:
The complexity and quality standards of the film.
The number of scenes or shots.
The number of locations.
For a rough calculation, you should allow for 2–5 shooting days.
On average, the shoot for a corporate film therefore costs a total of 5,000 to 50,000 euros, depending on scope.
Day rates vary depending on the standard and degree of specialisation. A simple picture-and-sound edit is comparatively cheap, while elaborate special effects cost more. Each trade needs about 1–5 working days.
Post-production for a corporate film therefore costs approx. 2,000 to 20,000 euros.
So far, then, a corporate film costs an average of 10,000 to 50,000 euros.
Now there is just one cost item missing: fees, licences and usage rights.
Licences and usage rights for corporate films
Depending on how the film is used, different licence costs arise – so-called buyouts. Fees and licences apply to the following cost centres:
Contributing artists (actors, models, voice-over artists, possibly the director)
Music
Forms of use (cinema, TV, trade fairs etc.)
For actors and models, costs are usually calculated on the basis of shooting days; for voice-over artists, on the length of the film or the number of words. The director, some actors and sometimes the music are also calculated as a share of the total budget.
The following criteria usually play a role:
Company size (number of employees and turnover),
Medium (e.g. internet, cinema, TV)
Duration of use (e.g. 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, unlimited)
Area of use (e.g. regional, national, international)
Our tip: buyouts. Depending on the size of the company and the medium in which the film is used, licence costs vary – so-called buyouts. If you want to keep all options open, ask for a full buyout. A film production company can often offer or negotiate better terms than smaller productions or freelancers.
How much does a professional voice-over artist cost?
70% of perceived quality comes from the sound. Fascinating in such a visual world, but true. A good voice-over raises any corporate film to a professional level – and at the same time gives the company a unique sound. No wonder the voice-over artist is the most popular cost item. What else it includes:
Voice-over fee (layout fee + buyout, see above)
Recording studio + recording
Direction
Voice-over fees are also based on the criteria mentioned above. Even the German voices of Bruce Willis, Robert Redford or Whoopi Goldberg are only a phone call away – and often only slightly more expensive than unknown professionals.
When this article was first published in 2018, the fee for a professional voice-over artist for a corporate film was 500 to 1,200 euros (depending on how well known they are). Recording studio and direction each cost another approx. 150–250 euros. “Celebrity” voices started at around 1,500 euros.
How much does a professional actor cost?
Your daughter’s favourite star from the German soap GZSZ in your own corporate film, or a well-known face as a brand ambassador? Film production companies and acting agencies make it possible. Actors’ fees are also based on the aspects mentioned above and are graded into:
Extras (very small background roles without lines)
Bit-part actors (supporting roles with or without lines)
Actors (leading roles with or without lines)
Celebrity actors
As of 2018, when this article was first published, extras usually received 50 euros a day, bit-part actors between 350 and 800, actors 800 to 2,000 euros. Celebrity actors could cost 15,000 euros or more a day.
GEMA is the German society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights and represents the rights of musicians. Musicians are free to decide whether to become GEMA members, and not every musician is automatically a member.
As a rule of thumb: the better known the musician, the more likely it is that GEMA fees apply. GEMA fees also apply if you want to use a specific well-known song, e.g. from a film or the radio.
Alternatively, there is an endless choice of GEMA-free music, both from individual composers and from stock music libraries. Your film production company will surely be happy to advise you.
By the way: related to GEMA, but not voluntary, is the KSK (Künstlersozialkasse, the German social insurance fund for artists). Every freelance artist (whether actor, composer, painter, journalist or designer) is automatically subject to the KSK levy (4.2% of the invoice amount when this article was first written; the rate is set annually and is 4.9% in 2026). This also applies to all freelancers, sole traders and partnerships in the film sector. Only for invoices from corporations do no KSK levies arise on your side; the corporation covers them for you.
What does my corporate film cost in the cinema?
For use in the cinema, two types of costs apply in addition to the pure production costs (see above):
Cinema screening fee
Licence fee to the author
Why does this cost extra? The licence costs for usage rights derive from German copyright law. They allow an artist a fair share of the reach, i.e. the number of people reached.
The cinema screening fee depends on how long the spot runs, the number and size of the screens and the target audience or film before which the spot is shown. For the calculation we recommend crossvertise (German site), where you can immediately calculate the expected costs for a cinema near you.
The licence fee is calculated with a formula as a multiple of the production price, which can be a factor of 3 to 7 depending on duration and territory.
What does a corporate film for a trade fair cost?
If you want to show your corporate film at a trade fair – provided it is suitable – the only extra costs besides your stand and the stand fee are the licence costs.
In some cases, the usage licence for the trade fair may already be included in the price. Otherwise you can also apply a factor of 3 to 5 here, depending on the type, size and location of the fair and the duration you want.
What does a corporate film in English cost?
Producing a corporate film in English or translating it into other languages is fortunately one of the cheapest parts. In fact, I often recommend that our clients record a corporate film in the relevant languages straight away. We have recorded language versions in German, English, French, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and almost Chinese.
Recording in other languages involves the following costs:
Translation of the existing voice-over script
New voice-over recording (see cost item “Voice-over artist”)
alternatively: subtitling (post-production)
Most film production companies also have a pool of native speakers for international language versions or work with voice-over agencies. Translation is no challenge for the network of a professional film production company either.
The costs of international voice-over artists are roughly comparable to those of their German colleagues.
What exactly does a corporate film need to achieve? Visit our corporate film page for a detailed overview of our services.
Calculating corporate film costs
Now you know all the cost centres for a corporate film and can make a rough calculation of your own corporate film.
Pre-production costs + Shooting costs (number of days x (crew + equipment + location)) + Post-production costs (editing + sound + graphic design) + Fees for voice-over artists (German/English) + any actors ———————- = Corporate film production costs + Licence fees for the desired type of use + Advertising/placement costs for the desired distribution media ———————- = Corporate film exploitation costs
Of course, the rule still applies: every corporate film is individual and has many small and large variables. So the best thing is to set a budget and a goal and look forward to the estimate and concept that the film production company of your choice then puts forward.
How much does a corporate film cost?
On average, corporate films cost between 10,000 and 50,000 euros.
Saving costs on a corporate film?
That all sounds great, you say? But can’t we save costs somehow? Make the film cheaply somehow, or even do it ourselves?
The good news: yes, you can save costs. As with any good service, you can partly decide how expensive a corporate film will be. Of course, you shouldn’t expect miracles: film may be a kind of magic, but film production companies still can’t work wonders. The best thing is to arrange a no-obligation consultation with the film production company you trust.
Overview of different prices with examples
To give you a rough idea of what you can expect for which budget, we have an example for each price range. The image quality is, of course, the first thing you notice. But don’t forget: a good corporate film doesn’t rely only on its image quality or a special look.
A good example of what can be achieved with a “lower” budget.
Corporate film from 20,000 euros
More budget = more equipment and crew = more quality. Especially in large industrial companies such as DTMT, you need a capable crew and the right equipment to show the many machines and specialists.
Corporate film from 30,000 euros
The corporate film for Landhotel Kallbach is a prime example of intensive pre-planning with a script and storyboard. High-quality equipment was used for the scenes with actors, to deliver the image quality this budget demands.
Corporate film from 50,000 euros
With a budget of 50,000 euros, there is no question that top-end camera and lighting equipment is used, a team of professionals for each area is on set, and the end result has no reason to shy away from the big screen.
Corporate film costs per minute
Are short corporate films automatically cheaper?
Our clients often ask: “The film only needs to be 30 seconds long. Won’t that make it cheaper?”
Unfortunately, in most cases the answer is: not really. The length of the film is determined by the available footage (and therefore the number of shooting days). And yes, a longer edit also means more work in post-production. But unfortunately the relationship is not linear.
In this case I like to answer with a wink: “I can deliver a 30-minute film showing a pair of trainers in front of a white wall – it will cost less than any 10-second spot on this subject you have in mind right now.”
So it’s not just about length – at least not length alone. In fact, the final length of the film is usually decided in the edit and is often already estimated in the quote. (Unless it is a commercial that has to fit a specific advertising slot.)
For example, your quote may specify a film of 3–5 minutes, but in the end the film is only 2:30 minutes or 6:20 minutes long. In this case the director, creative director or editor has decided that this is the perfect length for your film.
Overall, the cost of a corporate film varies only minimally as long as it stays within the normal range of 2–5 minutes. Anything under 2 minutes is probably not a corporate film but a commercial, which is calculated differently. Only at well over 5 minutes does the effort for shooting and post-production increase noticeably.
Animated videos are an exception. Here, billing is in fact often per second or per frame. (A second traditionally has 25 frames, sometimes 24.)
Corporate film costs per minute: live action vs. animation
So far I have only talked about live-action corporate films, i.e. those “really filmed” with a camera and crew on set. Of course, there are also many company films that work purely with animation.
In fact, animated films are the ones whose costs relate most closely to the number of minutes. Unlike live action – where a shooting day can produce ten seconds (in high quality) just as well as two minutes (in low quality) of footage – an animated film is created by hand, frame by frame. That is why animated films – unlike live-action films – are usually billed per frame or per second.
Rule of thumb: longer animated film = more work = higher costs
Animation is handcrafted: every character has to be drawn, every background and every element designed and animated, i.e. brought to life. So if you ask for an animated film, the film production company’s first question will be how long the film should be.
Corporate film costs: conclusion & FAQ
Length plays a role, but above all quality and effort do. Every corporate film is different, and until its concept is in place, you can say as little about the price as when asked how much a house or a car costs. It always depends – but roughly speaking, in figures:
In summary, a corporate film can be produced for under 10,000 euros, but it can also cost several hundred thousand euros. Most of the corporate films we produce for SMEs and industry cost between 10,000 and 50,000 euros.
The key points at a glance:
Was ist ein Imagefilm?
A corporate film is the main genre of company film. It is usually 2–7 minutes long and presents the company as a whole to a broad target group. The aim is to enhance a company’s image. A corporate film is usually used online.
Wie viel kostet ein Imagefilm?
Corporate film costs depend on many factors and are individual. On average, a corporate film costs between 10,000 and 50,000 euros.
Was sind die einzelnen Kostenstellen beim Imagefilm?
The cost centres of a corporate film correspond to the production stages: pre-production, shooting and post-production. On top of this come artists’ fees and licences. You can read above in the article exactly how these stages work and what they include.
Wie kann man beim Imagefilm Kosten sparen?
First and foremost, corporate films should be tailored to their goal, not to the budget. That said, it is possible to save costs on a corporate film too. Please don’t do it by sending your trainees or marketing department out to film it themselves – however tempting modern options and high-resolution smartphone cameras may be. Many of our clients save costs by, for example, using their own premises instead of a studio or their own employees instead of actors. The right stock footage can also save entire shooting days. The best way to discuss the individual variables of your corporate film is in a free consultation.
Yvonne Schwalowski ist Marketingberaterin und strategische Filmproduzentin bei Pathfinder Studios sowie mehrfache Belletristik-Autorin u.a. beim Piper-Verlag. Mit 18 Jahren Berufserfahrung und erfolgreichen Multimedia-Projekten für 450+ Kunden ist sie eine erfahrene Marketing-Expertin für europäische Unternehmen – vom Tech-Startup über Hidden Champion-Industrieunternehmen bis zu Konzernen wie MAN, Miele und Audi. Ihre Werbefilme und Kurzfilme haben mehrere internationale Auszeichnungen gewonnen, ihr erster internationaler Kinospielfilm ist derzeit in Fertigstellung. Wikipedia – Portfolio – LinkedIn – IMDb
Yvonne Schwalowski ist Marketingberaterin und strategische Filmproduzentin bei Pathfinder Studios sowie mehrfache Belletristik-Autorin u.a. beim Piper-Verlag. Mit 18 Jahren Berufserfahrung und erfolgreichen Multimedia-Projekten für 450+ Kunden ist sie eine erfahrene Marketing-Expertin für europäische Unternehmen – vom Tech-Startup über Hidden Champion-Industrieunternehmen bis zu Konzernen wie MAN, Miele und Audi. Ihre Werbefilme und Kurzfilme haben mehrere internationale Auszeichnungen gewonnen, ihr erster internationaler Kinospielfilm ist derzeit in Fertigstellung.
Wikipedia – Portfolio – LinkedIn – IMDb
