Start by defining the deliverable: runtime, aspect ratios, resolution, number of versions, and whether you need live actors, real locations, or product footage. A scripted brand film with on-camera talent has different requirements from a set of short social ads. Write down the production scope before requesting estimates, including captions, music, and revisions.
Traditional filming budgets usually include crew and equipment, such as a director, camera operator, lighting kit, sound gear, and any rental equipment. Add costs for casting, wardrobe, production design, transport, location permits, and meals where relevant. A scene in a rented studio involves different expenses from a shoot at your own office, while a moving camera setup can require additional grip equipment and crew.
AI-generated production replaces much of the physical shoot with generation and editing. You may pay for a platform subscription or credits, along with scripting, prompt development, voice generation, editing, and human review. Costs vary by tool, output length, visual complexity, and how many generations you need to reach an approved result. Budget separately for licensed assets, custom voice work, and post-production rather than treating generation as the full project cost.
| Cost area | Traditional filming | AI-generated video |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Camera, lighting, sound, and grip rentals or owned gear | Production software and computing access, depending on the tool |
| Labor | Crew, cast, and on-set production roles | Creative direction, prompting, editing, and review |
| Location | Studio, location fees, permits, and travel | Usually no physical set, though some projects use filmed plates or references |
| Iteration | Reshoots can require booking people, gear, and locations again | Revisions require additional generation and editing time |
Build an apples-to-apples estimate by asking each supplier to price the same script, duration, deliverables, and revision allowance. Include pre-production and post-production in both quotes. For filming, specify the shoot days and crew size; for AI work, ask how many generated shots or rounds of changes are included. Separate one-time setup from repeat costs if you expect a campaign with several versions.
YB Video from YB.Digital, available at yb.digital/video, offers an alternative for selected projects where AI-generated visuals suit the brief. Assess it against requirements such as a consistent product appearance, realistic human performance, brand style, and rights for intended use. A concept video or stylized social asset may suit a different workflow than a testimonial requiring a real customer on camera.
Before choosing, add these often-overlooked line items to your worksheet:
- Music licensing and sound mixing
- Subtitles, translations, and accessibility versions
- Brand approval and legal review time
- File delivery formats and platform-specific crops
Choose the production method based on the required result, not the headline price. A live-action shoot records real performances and physical products, while AI generation trades those elements for a software-led workflow with its own review and revision needs. Compare the full cost per approved deliverable, including the final 16:9 master and any vertical cutdowns.