Video Production Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

Video marketing is an increasingly popular way to reach potential customers and build brand awareness. However, it takes time to produce a quality video that helps you achieve your goals. 

While the length of a video production timeline may vary depending on the project's complexity, understanding how long it will take can help ensure you don't over- or under-budget when planning and producing your video content.

However, there are some basic things every business owner should know about video production timelines before getting started. Below, you'll find an overview of what to expect from each phase of the video production process, from pre-production through editing. All times are based on an average project.

How Long Does It Take to Edit a Video?

The first thing that needs to be determined is what the video will be used for. This can help determine how long it will take to edit the video. You should start by doing some research on video production basics and learn more about what goes into editing a video. 

Once you know more about the process, you can figure out how long it will take them and set up their editing schedule accordingly. Usually, videos are edited in phases so all the content can be added before being finalized. 

You should also note that there may be other factors involved, such as the number of people involved or whether the filming was done with one or two cameras; these features might make a difference in how long it takes to edit.

What Is the Average Time It Takes to Make a Video?

A timeline can be pretty flexible. For example, it's possible to produce a full 3-minute video with motion graphics and on-location shooting with actors in as little as three weeks, but the cost would be significantly higher. 

In the interests of efficiency, think about these five elements when developing a timeline for your video project.

• Preparation and Strategy 
• Creative plan and development 
• Pre-production 
• Production 
• Post-production 

Types of Edits You Should Know About   

Editing can be the most time-consuming part of video production. The term ‘edit’ is often used as a catch-all to refer to any one of the many aspects of video post production, including video editing, color correction, sound design, and audio mixing.

Audio 

The audio comprises two distinct steps: recording and mixing. 

● Recording refers to capturing clean sound from an external source, such as an interviewee's voice or a musician playing their instrument. 

● Mixing refers to combining multiple recorded tracks into stereo or surround sound signals that are then adjusted with equalizers and effects processors to work together smoothly. 

Video 

Video edits are split into two categories: 

● Cuts (also called trims). This refers to the deletion of footage. 

● Transitions. This is when the footage gets replaced by another shot.

These two types of edits make up what we call video editing. Transitions are also referred to as effects because they change the tone or mood of a scene. These simple changes can drastically alter how your audience feels about your film, so choosing carefully is key.

What Is the General Timeline for Producing a Marketing Video?

This process usually takes anywhere from four weeks to six months. The length of time is largely dependent on how quickly you can find the right footage and edit down all the scenes. 

The basics of video production include scriptwriting, storyboarding, filming, and editing — they are important because they shape what is being communicated. The most basic stage in video production is scripting, which requires a clear understanding of what you want to communicate and then planning the best way to do so. 

Storyboarding follows after this stage to map out where the film should go and what points need emphasis along the way.

Most videographers will recommend at least three weeks for pre-production and rehearsals. Next, there are about two hours of production time per hour of footage. So, for example, if you have 60 minutes of footage that needs editing, it would take around 120 hours to edit everything together. 

Lastly, post-production takes an additional 10 hours per minute of the finished product if needed. In this case, adding the final 10 minutes would take 100 hours to complete your project!

Where Do You Host Your Videos?

Nowadays, there are various places to host your videos on the internet. Still, YouTube and Vimeo are the most popular platforms for people who upload videos regularly. Therefore, if you want people to be able to download your videos from these platforms without any hassle, Vimeo may be the best place for you. 

On the other hand, YouTube is much better if you're looking for people to watch your videos online without downloading the content. 

How Long Does Video Post-Production Take?

The post-production process can generally last anywhere from 250 to 350 days. For example, a typical Hollywood film might require about 250 to 350 days of post-production work.

What Is a Video Production Schedule?

A video production schedule is a high-level plan that will map out where to look for your cast, crew, props, and equipment at different times in the production process. This way, you can keep track of deadlines, you won't make a mistake, and the video will come out the way you want it to.

Final Thoughts

In short, it all depends on your goals for the video. For example, if you want a full-blown corporate commercial, then your production timeline will have a much shorter turnaround time. But if you're filming an internal training video for employees, you'll need to be more flexible with your time frame. 

No matter what you're filming, the timeline can vary for several reasons, so be sure to have flexibility built into your schedule when creating your video.