How Long Does It Take to Make a Corporate Video? A Realistic Timeline
By Spencer Stanley · · 3 min read
The short answer
A straightforward corporate video typically takes about 3 to 6 weeks from kickoff to final delivery. A simple, one-location interview video can be done toward the shorter end. Multi-location shoots, animation or heavy graphics can take 6 to 10 weeks or more.
The surprise for most people: filming is usually the shortest part. The time goes into planning, editing and waiting on feedback.
The timeline, stage by stage
This is typical for a straightforward project with a one-day shoot.
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery and planning | A few days to 1 week | Goals, audience, concept, budget and a quote |
| Pre-production | About 1 week | Interview questions or script, shot list, locations, scheduling and release forms |
| Shoot | 1 day | Filming interviews, b-roll and audio |
| First edit | 1 to 2 weeks | Assembly, music, graphics and colour |
| Review and revisions | 3 days to 1 week | You send consolidated feedback and we revise |
| Final delivery | 1 to 2 days | Exports in the formats you need |
Smaller projects compress these steps and bigger ones stretch them. Added up, a straightforward project lands around 3 to 6 weeks.
What makes it take longer
- More shoot days or locations. Every extra day and location adds planning and edit time.
- Scripted content. Scripts, storyboards and casting take longer than interview-style videos.
- Animation and motion graphics. These are separate production work on top of the edit.
- Several decision makers. Each extra approver adds a round of feedback.
- Slow feedback. A week waiting for notes is a week added to the schedule.
- Scheduling people and locations. Getting busy executives, staff and sites lined up often takes longer than the shoot itself.
- Extra versions. Language versions, cutdowns for social and different aspect ratios all add time.
The Winnipeg factor: seasons
Our weather affects the schedule. Outdoor shoots in a Manitoba winter are possible, but extreme cold is hard on people and batteries, and the days are short. Summer and fall give long, beautiful light and easier b-roll. If you need exterior footage for a winter project, plan for it early, or build the video around interior locations.
How to speed things up
- Pick your approvers before kickoff, and send one consolidated set of feedback per round.
- Lock the shoot date, people and locations early. Rescheduling is the number one thing that stretches a timeline.
- Send your brand assets up front (logo files, fonts, colours).
- Share your real deadline at the start, especially if it is tied to an event or launch.
- Ask about rush options. They can sometimes work, but they may cost more because schedules have to be rearranged.
Working backwards from your deadline
If you need a finished video live on a specific date, start planning at least six to eight weeks before. For a complex project, give yourself more. Our guide to how to prepare for a corporate video shoot will help the shoot day go smoothly, and how much a brand video costs will help you plan the budget. If you have a date in mind, tell us about your project and we will tell you honestly what is realistic. You can also explore our video production services or learn more about video production in Winnipeg.
Frequently asked questions
Planning a video in Winnipeg?
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