The short answer
- Typical ranges from our research: independent music videos often land around $1,500 to $10,000, professionally produced videos around $5,000 to $30,000, and label productions $30,000 and up.
- The biggest cost drivers are shoot days, locations, crew size, cast and lighting, then editing, color and any effects.
- Our music videos start at $2,795 for a one-location, half-day performance video. A concept video with a treatment, two locations and a color grade is quoted on a fixed price before work starts.
Los Angeles is the easiest city in the world to make a music video and one of the easiest to overspend on one. Crews, gear houses, rental stages and locations are everywhere. So are people who will happily quote you $40,000 for a song that has not been released yet.
This guide breaks down what music videos actually cost in LA, what you are paying for, and how independent artists get the most out of a modest budget.
Music video price ranges
These are typical ranges from our research of published pricing guides and production company rates. Treat them as a starting point; scope moves the number more than anything.
Typical music video budgets (scale to $40,000)
Notice how much the ranges overlap. Two "independent" videos at the same budget can look completely different depending on how the money is spent. A clear idea and one great location usually beat three average ones.
What you are actually paying for
Shoot days
Time is the biggest lever. A half day at one location is the leanest professional option. Each additional day adds crew, gear, location and food. Many strong independent videos are shot in a single day.
Crew
A small performance video can run with a director who also shoots, plus an assistant. A concept video may add a gaffer, a grip, a production assistant, hair and makeup and a stylist. Every person adds a day rate.
Locations and permits
LA has a deep market for rentable locations, from warehouses to mid-century homes. Marketplace listings put many music video locations in the range of a few hundred to several thousand dollars for a shoot. Filming on public property in the City of Los Angeles generally requires a permit through FilmLA, and the base permit fee alone was around $900 at last check, before any required monitors, police or fire safety officers. Fees change, so check FilmLA's current schedule.
Camera, lenses and lighting
Cinema cameras, good lenses and real lighting are a big part of why a professional video looks like one. We shoot on Canon cinema cameras (the EOS R5 C and C50) with Canon RF L-series lenses. Our post on the Canon EOS R5 C explains why that body works so well for small, fast crews.
Cast and extras
Dancers, actors and extras add day rates, wardrobe and scheduling. Friends can work, but plan for them like a real cast: call times, food and a clear schedule.
Post-production
Editing, color grading and any effects can be a large share of the budget. Color is where a video gets its look; effects and heavy compositing can cost more than the shoot itself.
Performance video vs concept video
This is the first decision that sets the budget.
Performance video
- The artist performs the song, usually at one location
- Half day of shooting is often enough
- Lower budget, faster turnaround
- Lives or dies on lighting, movement and energy
Concept video
- A story, a visual idea or a narrative
- Full day or more, often two or more locations
- Needs a written treatment and more planning
- More crew, cast and art direction
Our packages follow that split. A performance video is one location and a half day. A concept video is a full day, two locations, a treatment and a color grade. Both start with a fixed quote, so you know the price before anything is booked.
Spend on the one thing people will remember, and keep everything else simple.
How to get more video for your budget
- Pick one strong idea
A single concept carried all the way through reads as intentional. Five half-finished ideas read as a low budget.
- Use one great location
Moving a crew costs hours. One location with a few distinct corners can look like three.
- Rehearse before the shoot
Know the lyrics cold and run the choreography. Every extra take is money.
- Shoot clips for social at the same time
Vertical takes, behind-the-scenes and a few teasers cost little extra on the day and give you release content. Our guide on repurposing one shoot into a month of content shows how.
- Lock the song first
Shoot to the final master, or at least the final arrangement. Changing the edit of the song after the shoot can break the edit of the video.
Ask any production company what is not included: permits, location fees, cast, wardrobe, hair and makeup and rush editing are the usual surprises.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is this a fixed quote, and what would change it?
- How many shoot hours and locations does it cover?
- Who handles permits and location fees?
- Is color grading included?
- How many rounds of revisions are included?
- What formats are delivered (16:9, vertical cuts, teasers)?
- Can I see full videos, not just a reel?
Our broader guide on questions to ask before hiring a videographer works for music videos too. And if you are comparing music video quotes with other kinds of production, how much video production costs in Los Angeles puts them side by side.
What to have ready before you ask for a quote
You will get a faster, more accurate quote if you bring:
- The song (or a rough mix) and its release date
- Two or three reference videos you love, and what you love about them
- Performance, concept or a mix of both
- Location ideas, or a budget for one
- Who is in it: just you, a band, dancers, cast
- Whether you need vertical cuts and teasers for release week
When you have that, our project planner gets you to a fixed quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a good music video for under $3,000?
Yes, if the scope fits: one location, a strong performance, good lighting and a tight schedule. Most of the money goes to the crew and gear on the day, so keeping it to a half day is the main way to hold the budget.
Do I need a permit to film a music video in LA?
Usually, if you film on public property such as streets, sidewalks or parks in the City of Los Angeles. Private property may still need the owner's written permission and sometimes a permit. Check FilmLA or the city you are filming in before you book.
How long does a music video take to edit?
A performance video often takes one to three weeks for the first cut, and concept videos with effects take longer. Turnaround depends on revisions and the edit queue, so ask for a date in your quote.
Should I spend more on the shoot or the edit?
For most independent videos, protect the shoot. You cannot fix bad lighting or missing coverage in the edit, but a clean, well-lit shoot can be cut simply and still look great.
