Q. How much do video production companies charge?
 

A. In Dubai you can expect to pay about AED3k in consultancy fees and AED5k per day per crew member.  Editing is then around AED3k per day.  Most crews have around five people.  Standard camera equipment charges are around AED1.5k for a small Sony cinema camera kit with lenses. Rounds of amends (your changes to the edit) are about AED2k per round.  A typical corporate video comes in at around AED50k - AED100k per video.  Or you could just hire me and save a LOT...

​
 

Q. What do Video Production companies do?

​

A. In a nutshell - conceive, shoot and then edit a video.  But they can also be hired to take on aspects, with the work shared around.  

​
 

Q. Why hire a video production company?

​

A. Often organizations that need video content don't have the time to find and hire a freelancer like me, so they go to a video production company to take care of all the organization.  It is a much easier (but more expensive, see above) way of doing things in theory.  If I get an enquiry that I think needs a production company in Dubai, I bring in a partner production company whether it be for the pre-production, kit hire, extra crew or editing.


Q. What's it like hiring a video production company? 

A. It's pretty easy so long as you have deep pockets!  You can expect a free consultation and quote, after which you'll be expected to pay 50% upfront (sometimes 100% if you don't qualify for credit terms with the company).  As a freelance videographer I work in the same way but you're only paying for me and maybe a couple of extra crew members and some kit, so it tends to be a lot cheaper.  

Q. Why hire a freelancer?

A. To make clear first of all I'm biased, obviously, but to me the advantages are that you cut out the middle-man.  I don't own or rent offices, I don't have permanent staff, so all you pay for are my costs to actually hire me to make your video.  That translates as a small daily rate for my kit, the days it takes me to shoot, the days it takes to edit and a few extra hours for amends.  That's it.  I don't charge for consultancy or pre-production costs unless it's a really big video production. 95% of the time this isn't necessary.