Start with your finished video requirements: runtime, aspect ratio, resolution, and number of deliverables. Then identify the AI video tool’s billing unit, such as credits per generation or per second of output. A 30-second clip made from several separate shots can use a different number of credits than one continuous generation, so map the scenes before estimating base credit needs.
Next, find the tool’s credit cost for each planned generation. Multiply the cost per generation by the number of shots, then add any separate charges for features such as higher resolution, longer clips, or image-to-video generation. Record the assumptions beside each scene so your estimate reflects the actual production settings, not just the final runtime.
| Production item | What to count | Estimate basis |
|---|---|---|
| Initial shots | Planned scenes or clips | Credits per generation |
| Alternate generations | Variations needed per shot | Extra generation credits |
| Revisions | Shots likely to be regenerated | Revision allowance |
| Output settings | Length, resolution, and format | Tool-specific credit rules |
Build in room for multiple generations because a first result may not match your brief. Estimate how many shots are likely to need alternatives, then multiply those shots by the expected number of attempts. Keep revisions separate from initial production: a change to a prompt may require a fresh generation, while a simple edit outside the AI tool may not use additional credits.
For a working estimate, add the initial credits, alternate generations, and revision allowance, then translate the total into the provider’s available credit bundle or plan. With YB Video from YB.Digital, review the current options at yb.digital/video and use its credit information to map planned generations to expected production expenses. Pricing and credit rules can change, so base your budget on the terms shown when you plan the project.
- Separate concept tests from approved production shots.
- Assign a prompt owner to track changes and reruns.
- Keep a generation log with scene names and credit use.
- Save approved source images and prompts for repeatable shots.
Before production begins, total the planned credits and set a spending limit for experiments and revisions. A scene-by-scene worksheet makes it easier to spot expensive shots, such as repeated character movement or several camera angles, before you generate them.