Walk through downtown Chicago on any given weekday, and you’ll spot someone filming. Maybe it’s a brand promo being shot along the Riverwalk, a startup’s testimonial in a co-working space, or a short film using the skyline as its backdrop.
Chicago has become one of the most active video production hubs in the country. And why not? It’s creative, resourceful, and just so full of visual character.
Now, here’s the real question most people have: how much does it cost to make a professional video in Chicago? The answer isn’t simple, so we can’t really give you a number. Every project is different, and so is every video type. Then, there’s the level of detail, set pricing, post-production costs, crew, planning, creative direction, and so on.
So, we’ll need a bit more time to explain how much it costs to make a professional video in Chicago. That’s why we’ve put together a handy guide for you.
Chicago’s video scene runs the full spectrum. You’ll find boutique studios producing sleek 60-second promos that land in the $15K to $50K range, and big-budget commercial shoots climbing beyond $50K with full crews, location rentals, and custom motion work.
But that doesn’t mean every project needs a Hollywood-sized wallet.
Plenty of smaller productions happen every day. A single-camera testimonial, a short interview, or a brand explainer sits comfortably between $1.2K and $5K. It’s the kind of work that looks professional without overcomplicating the setup.
If you prefer to work by the hour, Chicago professionals typically charge around $30 to $100 per hour for camera gear. Then, you have to add $65 to $180 an hour for editing and anywhere from $30 to $40 per hour for crew members. Again, some crew members, like voiceover artists, may be cheaper to hire. But you’re hiring directors or lighting techs, expect to pay more.
Of course, there’s always the ‘’behind-the-scenes’’ layer that shapes the final price. Things like B-roll footage, music rights, or animated graphics can lift your total cost by 10% to 50%.
Sometimes, they up the cost by a few hundred. At other times, it may be a few thousand extra dollars. The increase depends on your video’s style and complexity.
When you add it all up, the range is wide. A short social clip might cost around $2K, while a polished brand commercial could stretch past $100K. That might sound like a big gap, but it reflects how adaptable Chicago’s production scene really is.
Ever looked at two video quotes and thought, ‘’How can one cost three grand and the other eighty?’’ Welcome to Chicago’s video production scene, where the price tag depends on how ambitious your vision is.
Let’s break down what actually moves the numbers.
What are you trying to make? Is it a real estate property video where someone goes around a condo with a DSLR? Or do you need event video production services, which will likely require a drone, a ton of cameras, a lot of editing, and a director shaping the flow of the video?
The latter will likely cost more. You’re paying for more crew, more gear, creative minds, and multiple days of work (if it’s a multi-day event).
The same applies to the concept you’re going for. A quick interview or talking-head video? Easy setup, small team, smaller bill. But if you’re chasing something cinematic, the price will increase. You’ll have to write a script, make storyboards, book locations, and get a director. All of this costs extra money.
Speaking of money, the crew and gear are usually the biggest cost in Chicago video production. If you only need a simple setup, a one-person crew can also handle it.
But if you’re looking for rich visuals, slow-motion shots, and lighting that flatters your CEO? That means more people. You’ll need a DP, lighting tech, audio pro, maybe a grip or two.
Each one charges by the hour, depending on role and experience. The same goes for gear. High-end cameras, stabilizers, or drones add depth to your footage and digits to your invoice.
Here are some general prices you’re looking at:
As a rule of thumb, the more people and gear you bring on set, the faster the bill grows.
Chicago looks incredible on camera, but the city doesn’t give away those views for free. The moment you shoot outside a studio, you’re dealing with film permits and parking passes.
Want that skyline shot? You might need to coordinate with the Chicago Film Office or pay a venue fee. Similarly, indoor venues and sets have per-day or per-project pricing. Your choice will depend on your budget.
You can have the best lighting and lenses in the world, but if your on-camera talent can’t deliver, it shows. Local actors usually charge $200 to $800 a day, while union or known faces can jump to $2K to $10K+, plus fees for where and how the footage is used.
Voiceovers follow the same pattern; experience and reach affect the price. We ran a quick search for voiceover artists in Chicago to give you a comparison. There’s one artist charging $45 an hour, and another $100 an hour.
You can see how wide the range goes. The more people your project needs, the higher the cost of production will be.
Editing is where your footage actually turns into a finished piece. This stage covers everything from trimming clips to color correction, sound balancing, and adding music or text overlays.
Motion graphics or animations push the cost higher, especially if you want custom work. Don’t forget music licensing and revision rounds. Each extra tweak or track can bump the total up by hundreds.
The amount you spend here depends on the kind of video you’re making. For example, TikTok short-form Reels (like this one from Chipotle) don’t require too much post-production.
However, if you’re doing hospitality video marketing, the end result has to be top-notch. This video from the Baglioni Maldives Luxury All-Inclusive resort is an excellent example.
If you’re in a rush, expect to pay a premium. Compressing schedules means extra hands on deck or overnight editing sessions.
Multi-day shoots also add up, as each day brings crew fees, equipment rentals, and location costs back into play.
What you plan to do with the video matters just as much as how it’s made. A Hyde Park social media clip and a national TV spot are two different worlds. Broadcast or high-end campaign videos demand more polish, higher-grade visuals, and usually more compliance steps. Each of these factors adds production value (and cost) to the final product.
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Before you grab your camera or call up a friend who ‘’knows video,’’ pause for a second. Chicago’s production scene makes it tempting to go DIY. Gear rentals are easy to find, editing software is everywhere, and YouTube makes it all look simple.
But is it really cheaper in the long run? Let’s discuss what you’re actually paying for when you choose one path over the other.
DIY video production looks like a bargain at first. Rent a camera for a few hundred, download editing software, and you’re off, right? Maybe.
The problem starts when small details stack up. Lighting that looks off. Audio that echoes. Footage that feels flat on screen.
You might spend days fixing what a professional would’ve caught in minutes. Add up the hours, the software subscriptions, and the trial-and-error learning curve. Suddenly, your ‘’cheap’’ video costs more than you planned.
And you can’t really do everything yourself. You’ll definitely need some crew or editors somewhere along the process. So, those costs also matter.
Then there’s perception. Viewers can tell when something looks homemade, especially if they’re used to polished brand videos flooding their feeds. So, yes, you might save upfront. But what’s the cost of a first impression that falls flat?
A professional video production company Chicago charges more. There’s no denying that.
But what you get isn’t just camera time. It’s direction, planning, and a team that knows how to turn your idea into something worth watching.
You can also opt for specific expertise. For example, if you’re looking for testimonial video production, a B2B video marketing agency can help. Similarly, some agencies specialize in corporate video production. Others may provide services to certain fields, like healthcare video production in Chicago.
Agencies bring in writers, producers, editors, and cinematographers who’ve done this hundreds of times. That experience shows in everything from lighting setups to the pacing of your final cut. INDIRAP’s process video can explain this better.
They also save time. While you’d be juggling scripts, schedules, and editing timelines, an agency handles it all. They already have the gear, the crew, and the workflow nailed down.
And there’s long-term value, too. A well-produced video can serve across campaigns and platforms, which means one solid investment today can work for months or even years.
So, you want value for your money? Got it. Here are some smart ways to do this.
Before asking for quotes, be clear on what you’re making.
A one-minute social ad costs a fraction of a 3-day commercial shoot. As we’ve mentioned above, a short video could cost around $2K, but if you want to create a brand story video or a corporate explainer, it may cost above $10K. A full-scale commercial can cross the $50K mark.
So, write down your video’s main goal (awareness, leads, internal training) and preferred runtime. This helps every vendor give an apples-to-apples quote.
Think of your video budget like a sandwich. Now, create these layers:
Set aside 10% to 15% of your total budget as a flex fund for surprises like reshoots, extra graphics, or stock footage.
Freelancers are great for quick, low-complexity jobs, but for brand campaigns or corporate videos, a video marketing agency usually saves you money in the long run. Why?
First, you get a full team under one roof. It includes the producer, editor, colorist, sound designer, and everyone else you might need on set. Agencies also handle logistics, timelines, and revisions without nickel-and-diming you.
Plus, you avoid costly rework or inconsistent quality from juggling multiple freelancers.
If your project involves multiple locations, actors, or deliverables, ask for an agency package quote instead of hourly rates.
Want to make your budget stretch? Capture more than one asset per shoot. You can turn a 60-second brand film into:
The following video provides several tips to repurpose content.
When planning your shoot, ask your director to film extra B-roll or alternative takes for repurposing later.
Most editing contracts include 2 or 3 revision rounds. After that, extra changes can get pricey. Gather feedback from all stakeholders at once before each revision round to avoid scattered, costly updates later.
Also, budget for extras. Small line items like music rights and city permits for shooting in downtown Chicago can add to the cost.
So, add a 10% contingency line labeled ‘’unexpected creative costs’’ to your budget spreadsheet. It’s your insurance policy for smooth delivery.
At the end of the day, your video isn’t just another expense, but an investment in attention. And in a city as creative (and competitive) as Chicago, attention is currency. So, you need the best video production company Chicago by your side, and what better option than INDIRAP?
When you work with a full-service agency like INDIRAP, you’re not piecing together freelancers or chasing revisions. You’re getting a 360° video growth system, from creative concept to final delivery. We make your brand look world-class while driving the results you want.
Book a free, no-obligation Discovery Call today to share your video production needs.
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