Video Production Timelines: How Long Does It Take?

Let’s take a look at the pre-production phase, as it sets the foundation for your entire project. During this time, you and your production team will develop your project’s creative and logistical details.
As you’ll see, the length of this phase can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of the video and the number of stakeholders involved.

For more straightforward corporate videos, such as employee testimonials or short social media videos, the pre-production phase might be completed in as little as a week. In contrast, more complex productions—such as product launches, branded content involving multiple locations, or animation-heavy videos—may require several weeks of planning.

1-2 Weeks

The first step in pre-production is crafting a creative brief, which typically takes 2 to 5 days, depending on the project’s complexity. This document outlines the video’s objectives, target audience, key messages, and tone. It requires input from both the brand and production company to ensure all stakeholders are aligned.

Once the brief is finalized, brainstorming sessions begin. These can last anywhere from 3 to 5 days as teams generate ideas and develop a unique concept for the final video. However, if multiple decision-makers are involved, the process may stretch out as feedback cycles extend. Each round of review and revision can add 1 to 2 days per iteration, making it crucial to set clear timelines to avoid delays.

Throughout this stage, collaboration between the brand and production team is key. The time it may take to produce a video depends largely on how quickly consensus is reached among all parties involved.

0 Days – 2 Weeks

Once the concept is finalized, script development begins (for projects that require a script), which can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending on the complexity of the content. For more straightforward videos, this process can be completed quickly. However, if the video needs to incorporate complex messaging or involves multiple stakeholders, it can take more time as additional revisions and feedback are required.

What exactly counts as “complex messaging,” you might ask? Well, let’s give a shoutout to our scriptwriter, Tim, who is a master at tackling challenging technical scripts like the one he wrote for our EpiCrop project.

Script approval may involve several rounds of revisions, each adding 1 to 3 days, depending on the feedback cycle. To streamline this, it’s important to allocate time for multiple drafts and ensure that all key parties are available for timely input.

0 Days – 2 Weeks

For videos that demand detailed visual planning, creating a storyboard is essential. The process typically takes 3 to 7 days, depending on the types of video being produced. For straightforward productions, this can be done quickly, but for more complex projects involving animation, motion graphics, or intricate sequences, the storyboard may take longer to capture every detail.

Once the initial storyboard is created, revisions can add an additional 1 to 3 days, particularly for complex video projects where precise visual alignment with the script is crucial. This step ensures the entire production team has a clear blueprint, preventing misunderstandings and aligning the visuals with the project’s objectives before filming begins.

0 Days – 2 Weeks

If your video project involves filming at a location other than your office or requires actors and interviewees, this stage can be quite time-intensive. Scouting for suitable locations may take 1 to 5 days, depending on the specific requirements and availability of the site. Securing necessary permits or permissions can extend this process, adding an extra 2 to 7 days, especially if the location is in high demand or requires government approval.

Casting actors or scheduling interviews with key talent often takes 3 to 10 days, depending on their availability. If you’re coordinating travel logistics or working with high-profile individuals, this timeline could be further extended. Since video production companies may encounter delays due to location availability and talent schedules, it’s crucial to build flexibility into the overall video production schedule.

3 Days – 2 Weeks

This phase involves carefully mapping out the entire production timeline and typically takes 3 to 7 days, depending on the complexity of the shoot. Key tasks include booking crew, renting equipment, and setting firm shooting dates. Simple productions can be done relatively quickly. However, more complex shoots may take longer, requiring 5 to 10 days to coordinate multiple teams, locations, and external vendors.

During this time, potential delays must be factored in, such as weather for outdoor shoots or equipment availability. Detailed coordination with all involved parties helps ensure that the production stays on track, with contingency plans in place to avoid last-minute issues.

The production phase is where the actual filming takes place, and the duration can significantly impact the overall video timeline. For most corporate videos, filming typically spans 1 to 3 days, but the exact timeframe can vary based on several factors:

The complexity of the video concept plays a major role in determining how long filming a corporate video will take. Simple corporate videos, such as those with straightforward interviews or single-location shoots, can often be completed in 1 day or even 1/2 of a day. However, more complex productions, such as those involving multiple locations or intricate setups, may take anywhere from a couple of days to a week to complete.

The number of scenes and the need for multiple takes also affect the filming duration. Each scene might require several takes to ensure you get it right, and you’ll need to factor in additional time for each extra take. Depending on how many takes are needed, this can extend filming by half a day to a full day.

The time required for setting up equipment, lighting, and props can vary. For straightforward setups, this might take a few hours. However, more elaborate setups or technical requirements can take up to a half day. Production companies often need to carefully plan this aspect to ensure the lighting looks professional and meets the final video’s standards.

Efficient organization and a well-prepared shooting schedule are crucial. When creating video content, having a clear plan with a detailed shot list helps ensure the video production team knows what to expect and can execute their tasks promptly. Any delays in this stage of the process may impact the overall timeline, so it’s beneficial to build a buffer into the schedule.

After filming, the footage moves to the editing stage. This is where the video is assembled, edited, and refined. Understanding the post-production timeline is crucial for managing expectations and ensuring that your video project stays on track.

2-4 Weeks

For a typical corporate video, editing might take anywhere from two to four weeks. The timeline can be influenced by the complexity of the video, the amount of footage, and the level of detail required in the edits.

1 Week – 1 Month

Once the initial edit is completed, there will likely be a revision phase where feedback is gathered and changes are made. This stage usually takes one week to a month, depending on the number of revisions and the speed at which feedback is provided.

Determining how long it takes to produce a video involves understanding the time required for each of the key stages of the production process. From creating a video concept to filming and post-production, the overall timeline can vary significantly.
Here’s a summary of what you can expect at each stage:

Typically, the pre-production phase might span a week to several months, depending on factors such as the complexity of the video and the number of stakeholders involved.

Filming itself can usually be completed within 1 to 3 days, though more elaborate setups may extend this period.

Once the footage is captured, the editing process can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to assemble and refine the video content. Finally, incorporating feedback during the revision stage might add an additional 2 to 4 weeks.