Video production budget templates
Interview video budget template
Two customer interview films shot in one day with two cameras and b-roll, edited into two 90-second films and four subtitled social cuts.
Free, no sign-up. Works in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
What goes into an interview video budget
- Pre-production
- Questions agreed with the client, a schedule for the interviewees and a call sheet.
- Crew
- A director-operator who runs the interview, a second camera operator, a gaffer and sound.
- Equipment
- Two camera packages for two angles, interview lighting, a gimbal for b-roll, lavalier and boom audio.
- Hair and makeup
- Half a day is usually enough for two interviewees.
- Post-production
- Edit days, a grade, a sound mix and subtitled vertical cuts.
The sample at a glance
One shoot day, two interviewees, a five-person crew, two finished films and four social cuts. With the sample rates it comes to €10,417 net.
| Category | Net |
|---|---|
| Pre-production | €800 |
| Film crew | €2,500 |
| Equipment | €2,350 |
| Hair & makeup | €300 |
| Logistics | €300 |
| Production costs | €6,250 |
| Post-production | €3,050 |
| Other costs | €300 |
| Subtotal | €9,600 |
| Production fee, 10% of production costs | €625 |
| Insurance, 2% of subtotal | €192 |
| Total, net | €10,417 |
Rates in the samples are illustrative, not market rates. Replace them with your own.
Common mistakes when quoting interview videos
- Quoting the interviews and forgetting b-roll. Covering shots can take as long as the interview itself.
- One edit day per film. Interviews need transcripts, a paper edit and approvals; three days for two films is realistic.
- No release forms. Interviewees and locations need signed releases before the film goes public.
- Subtitles as an afterthought. Social cuts are watched muted, so put subtitles in the deliverables.
How the numbers work
Every line is quantity × days × rate
Quantity is people or units, days are shoot or work days. Leave quantity empty and it counts as one, so a flat fee is just a rate.
Production costs sit above the line
Everything you produce yourself: planning, crew, equipment, location, art, cast, logistics and catering. Post-production and licensing sit below it.
The production fee is calculated on production costs
Here 10%. Many producers pass post and licences through without a fee, or charge for them separately. If you work differently, move the line.
Insurance is calculated on the subtotal
Here 2% of all categories. Check what your policy actually requires per job.
Questions
How much does an interview video cost?
The sample here, one day, two interviews, a five-person crew, two finished films and four social cuts, comes to €10,417 with sample rates.
How long does it take to shoot an interview?
Plan about an hour per interviewee, including lighting changes and b-roll on the same set, plus setup time at the start of the day.
Can I use this template in Google Sheets?
Yes. Open the .xlsx in Google Sheets, Excel or Numbers. The formulas are plain multiplications and sums, and the yellow cells are the ones you fill in.
Turn the budget into a quote
In Vidaset your rates fill in on every new quote, the fee and insurance calculate themselves, and the client gets a PDF in your brand colors with price options, deliverables and terms. Every new account gets 30 days of Pro, no card required.