“How much does a music video cost?” gets asked in almost every conversation I have with independent artists, and it is a fair question. You have put everything into the track, and now you need something people will actually watch. The trouble is that “a music video” covers everything from one person, one camera and one location to a crewed production across several days.
As a rough guide, a simple performance video can cost a few hundred pounds, while a narrative video with a crew, cast and several locations runs into the thousands. I shoot music videos and artist content in Liverpool and quote every one to the brief. So here is what actually moves the figure, and how to get the most out of whatever budget you have.
The short version
- Shoot days are the biggest single cost. One well planned day goes a long way.
- The concept decides the rest: performance is simplest, narrative with actors costs more.
- Locations, cast and crew each add time, people and planning.
- The edit and grade are where it comes together, and effects add hours.
- Plan the extras on purpose and one shoot gives you the video, stills, Canvas loops and vertical clips.
1. Why music video prices vary so much
There is no set price for a music video, because two artists asking for “a video” can mean completely different things. One wants a clean performance in a moody room. Another wants a story with actors, three locations and a car. Both are valid, and both can look brilliant, but they are not the same day.
The good news is that the budget and the idea can be shaped together. A strong idea shot simply almost always beats a big idea shot badly.
2. The kinds of music video, and what each takes
| Type | What it is | What it usually takes |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | You or the band performing the track, lit and shot with style | One location, a half or full day, a clear look |
| Live session | A live take of the track, often in one room with real sound | Good audio, more than one camera angle, a room that sounds right |
| Narrative | A short story that plays alongside the song | Actors, a shot list, more locations and more planning |
| Hybrid | Performance cut with story or mood shots | The most common choice, and very flexible on budget |
| Visualiser | A looping or simple moving image built around the track | Short filming or none, more time in the edit |
3. What sets the price
Shoot days
A half day, a full day or several. The single biggest factor in any quote.
Locations
Every move means packing down and lighting again. One great location beats three rushed ones.
People
Actors, dancers, extras and any extra crew for lighting, sound or a second camera.
Edit, grade and effects
Cutting to the beat, colour grading the look, and any effects or titles.
Other things that affect the quote: props and styling, location fees or permissions, travel, how quickly you need it, and how many extra versions you want, such as a vertical cut or a teaser.
4. Get more than a video from one shoot day
This is where the value really is. If we plan it before the day, the same lights, looks and location can give you a whole release campaign rather than one file:
- The music video in landscape for YouTube
- Vertical cuts for Reels, TikTok and Shorts
- Spotify Canvas loops of 3 to 8 seconds
- Press shots and cover art frames from the same looks
- Behind the scenes photos and clips for the build up
That is exactly how I build The Rollout: a half day or full day shaped around your release, with a creative direction call before we shoot, and quoted to your brief rather than sold as a fixed package. My music release content plan shows how it all fits across the weeks around a drop.
5. How to make a small budget go further
- Pick one strong idea. A clear concept shot well beats five ideas squeezed into a day.
- Choose one great location. I find locations by being a little cheeky: bars and pubs with permission, friends’ places, Facebook groups, or a hotel room or Airbnb for the day.
- Know the track inside out. Performers who know every word and beat save hours.
- Bring two or three looks, not ten. Fewer changes, more filming.
- Share references. Two or three videos you love tell me more than a page of description.
My guide to making a low budget music video that looks expensive goes deeper, and music video locations in Liverpool has eight places to start.
6. How to compare music video quotes
Ask every videographer
- How many hours or days of filming?
- Who is on set, and is there a second camera?
- How many rounds of changes to the edit?
- Is the colour grade included?
- Do I get vertical cuts and stills too?
Watch for
- No planning or treatment before the day
- Vertical versions charged as extras
- Unclear usage for YouTube and socials
- No delivery date agreed
- A price with no brief behind it
What to send for a music video quote
The release
- The track, or a demo if it is not finished
- Your release date
- Two or three reference videos you love
The shoot
- Performance, story or a mix
- Any location ideas
- Who is in it
- What else you need: stills, Canvas, verticals
- A rough budget if you have one
Questions artists ask
How much does a music video cost in the UK?
It depends on the idea. A simple performance video can cost a few hundred pounds, while a narrative video with a crew, cast and several locations runs into the thousands. Shoot days, locations, people and the edit set the price.
How much does a music video cost with you?
Every music video is quoted to the brief. Send me the track, your release date, the kind of video you want and what else you need from the day, and you will get a clear quote against that.
What is the cheapest kind of music video?
A performance video in one location, filmed in a half or full day. It gives the most video for the budget, and with good lighting and a clear look it can feel far bigger than it cost.
How long does a music video take to film?
Most independent performance or hybrid videos are filmed in a half day or a full day. Narrative videos with actors and several locations can take longer.
Can I get photos and a video from the same shoot?
Yes, and it is the best value way to do it. With some planning, one shoot can give you the video, press shots, cover art frames, Spotify Canvas loops and vertical clips.
More guides for musicians: Press photos for musicians · Album cover art size and rules · What to put in an EPK.
Got a track ready?
Let’s build a video around your release
Send me the track and the date, and I will come back with an idea, a plan and a clear quote.