Factors like remote or on-site work, revision requirements, and turnaround time significantly influence costs. Remote editors can be more affordable, while on-site work often demands a premium. Regular revisions are usually accounted for in pricing, but extensive changes can ramp up costs. Rapid turnaround times equate to higher rates due to increased pressure on editors. Moreover, the editor's experience is a makes a big difference.
Alright, let's get down to the brass tacks: the actual cost of editing. Now, remember, these numbers are based on my experience and observations in the industry. They're not set in stone, but they'll give you a good ballpark
Short-form Edits: We're talking $30 to $150 per edit here. These are your quick, snappy videos – think 0-3 minutes, typically not needing a ton of editing.
Long-form Edits: This is where it gets more varied. Prices range from $70 to $1,000 per edit, depending on the complexity. Let's break it down:
$70-150: Basic editing, minimal visual effects, and limited music.
$100-250: A standard edit, a few visual effects, and some music.
$200-500: More visual effects, greater attention to music.
$350-700: B-roll and animations start to take center stage.
$500-1,000: Complex visualizations come into play.
$1,000+: For those really demanding projects requiring extra skills and effort.
A quick note: the amount of footage can drastically affect these prices. If you've got hours of unscripted footage, expect to pay more – sometimes way more than $1,000, possibly even $2,000 per video, especially if you're looking for top-notch quality.
But hey, this isn't about setting industry standards. Just as there are editors who'll work for less, there are those who won't touch a project for less than $5,000. There's a whole spectrum out there. The goal here is to shed some light on what I've seen in terms of pricing.
And one last thing: these prices can change fast. In an ideal world, I'd love to see every editor making $10,000+ a month and every creator finding an editor willing to work for free. But we've got to be realistic. For now, these figures are a good starting point to understand what you might be looking at financially.
