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AI video production cost: what a 30-second film takes

In a worked budget, generation is the small line. The rest is 8–12 person-days of craft. Where the effort goes, shot by shot.

By Brand1 studio6 min read

A film crew at work on a large soundstage under rigged lights
Header photograph, used for mood.Photo: Brands&People / Unsplash

Key takeaways

  • A 30-second AI brand film takes 8 to 12 person-days in our worked example; generation is the smallest part.
  • Script, look development, shot selection, edit, sound, grade, labelling and delivery are where the days go.
  • Ask for the shot list, the selection rate, the production record and Content Credentials on delivered files.

The pitch for AI film is that it is nearly free. The truth is more useful: the generation itself is the smallest part of the effort. What you are paying for is everything around it.

How much does a 30-second AI film cost?

Measured in effort, a 30-second film takes 8 to 12 person-days in our worked example. Script and boards take the first two. Look development, where the brand's colour, light and type are fixed, takes another two. Generation, selection and re-generation shot by shot take three or four. The rest is edit, sound, grade, captions, labelling and delivery in every cut-down the media plan needs.

The machine makes frames. People make films.
One story.SC 02 · TK 100:00:08:04One story.SC 03 · TK 200:00:25:10
Launch film still, specimen project

Why is selection the craft?

For every shot that ends up on screen, many are made and rejected: a hand with the wrong number of fingers, a logo that drifts, a colour slightly off brand. Spotting those, and knowing what to ask for next, is where a director earns their keep.

Is AI video production cheaper than a traditional shoot?

Often, on the logistics: there is no crew travel, location, set build or reshoot for weather. It is not free, because the craft days remain. Whether AI, live action or a mix is right depends on the brief, the claims the film makes and where it will run.

What should you ask for?

Ask for the shot list, the selection rate and the production record. Ask whether delivered files carry Content Credentials. A studio that can show its working will usually also be the one that delivers on time.

See the launch film specimenAll Journal pieces
FAQ

Questions on this piece

How much does a 30-second AI film cost?

The cost of a 30-second AI film depends on scope: the number of shots, cut-downs, languages and how much look development the brand needs. In Brand1's worked example it takes 8 to 12 person-days of craft, and generation is the smallest line. Brand1 quotes each film against a written scope; the price sheet is available on request.

Is AI video production cheaper than traditional production?

AI video production often costs less than a traditional shoot because it removes crew travel, locations, set builds and weather reshoots. It is not free: scripting, look development, shot selection, editing, sound, grading, labelling and delivery still take skilled people. For films with product claims or real people, live action or a hybrid can still be the right choice.

How long does it take to make an AI brand film?

In Brand1's worked example, a 30-second AI brand film takes 8 to 12 person-days of effort. Calendar time depends on review rounds, approvals and the number of cut-downs. Inside a full Launch Campaign, which also covers internal launch, social and press kit, Brand1 plans 4 to 8 weeks. Every shot is selected and signed off by a person before delivery.

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