Whether you’re an indie filmmaker working on your first short, a producer for an ad campaign, or a director working with an agency for a feature film, budget is a major factor in every project.
The answer to how much a project will cost is very dependent on the scope of what needs to be accomplished. Factors such as research and development time, composition and recording time, initial sketches, revisions, hiring live musicians, mixing, and time frame all play a role in determining a budget.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind the price ranges listed below are an average cost based on composers with similar experience, costs, and offerings, as well as what you can expect at that price level - they are not a quote for any specific project.
$0-$500
This range is pretty typical for first films, short advertisements, and other very short projects under 5 minutes or so. These will usually have a very fast turn around, about 2-4 weeks or so, prioritizing a speedy completion.
Additionally, every year, I create room for a pro bono project specifically for QTBIPOC and disabled collaborators. If you feel this is you, let’s chat.
$500-$1000
You can expect to see more one-on-one time possible at this budget with projects lasting moderately longer around 3-6 weeks or so. This is likely a short film under 10 minutes or so already in post-production or a similar project.
$1000-$5000
Medium to larger scale projects open up around this price point allowing for shorts and some feature films depending on scope. More complex
$5000+
This is reserved for major projects such as full length feature films. At this price point, it becomes possible to hire live orchestral musicians such as string sections depending on the project’s needs.
It’s important for clients to be aware of what their needs are in order to determine where they may fall amongst these categories.
And of course, it’s not possible to provide a real budget without getting to know you and your project. If you’re ready to chat about your needs, please feel free to reach out:
