There is no fixed price for a corporate video in Dubai, and any company that quotes one before asking questions is guessing. The cost is the sum of a handful of decisions: how many days you film, how big the crew is, where you shoot, who appears on camera, how complex the edit is and how many versions you need. Once you know those decisions, you can plan a realistic budget and compare quotes properly.
What you are actually paying for
Every corporate video goes through three stages, and each one has its own cost.
| Stage | What happens | What affects the cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production | Brief, script or interview questions, shot list, locations, schedule, permits | Script complexity, number of locations, approvals |
| Production | The shooting days with crew and equipment | Number of days, crew size, equipment, drone, talent |
| Post-production | Editing, colour, sound, graphics, subtitles, versions | Length, graphics, languages, number of cut-downs and revisions |
A simple interview-led film puts most of the effort into one shooting day and a careful edit. A commercial-style brand film moves more of the budget into planning, locations and post-production.
The factors that move the cost most
Shooting days. This is the biggest single factor. A well-planned single day can cover interviews, office footage and product shots at one location. Several sites, a factory visit and an outdoor sequence usually mean two or more days.
Crew size. A small documentary-style crew is enough for interviews and natural footage. Multi-camera interviews, lighting-heavy setups or a large set need more people: a director, camera operators, a gaffer, a sound recordist, a production assistant.
Locations and permits. Filming in your own office is simple. Malls, hotels, public spaces, free zones and government areas each have their own rules, and some need permits that take time to arrange. See filming permits in Dubai.
People on camera. Your own staff cost nothing extra but need preparation. Professional presenters, actors, models and voice-over artists add fees, and so do Arabic and English versions of the same role.
Equipment. Cinema cameras, lighting, gimbals, sliders, a drone or a 360° camera each add to the day. Choose them for what the story needs, not for how impressive the kit list looks.
Edit complexity. A clean interview edit with music and titles is one level. Motion graphics, animated data, heavy colour grading and sound design are another. Read about what happens in post-production.
Versions and languages. A main film plus a 30-second cut, vertical versions for social media and Arabic subtitles are more work than a single file — but much cheaper when planned before the shoot.
Music and usage. Licensed stock music is affordable; a commercial track is not. Paid advertising and broadcast use may need wider licences than website use.
Turnaround. Rush delivery means more editors or longer days, and that is reflected in the quote.
How to keep the budget under control
- Decide the goal first. A film for recruitment needs different footage from a film for investors. A clear brief stops you paying for scenes you will not use. Related: how to write a video brief.
- Group locations. One building on one day costs less than three sites across the city.
- Shoot once, cut many times. Plan social clips, a short version and photos during the same shoot. More on this: shoot once for every format.
- Prepare your people. Interviewees who know the questions in advance need fewer takes.
- Agree on revision rounds. Consolidated feedback in two rounds saves days compared with scattered comments.
Why quotes for the "same" video can differ
Two quotes can look far apart because they describe different projects. Compare them line by line:
- How many shooting days, and how many hours per day?
- Who is in the crew, and which cameras, lights and sound kit are included?
- How many edited versions, formats and languages?
- How many revision rounds?
- Are music licences, permits and talent included or extra?
- Do you receive the raw footage?
A lower total often means fewer deliverables or more risk on the day — not a better deal.
What to send for an accurate quote
- What the video is for and who will watch it.
- The rough length and the formats you need.
- Where you want to film and how many locations.
- Who appears on camera.
- Your deadline.
- Two or three reference videos you like.
- A budget range, if you have one — it helps a production company suggest the right approach rather than guess.
Questions people ask
Can you work to a fixed budget?
Usually, yes. Tell the production company your budget and what matters most, and they can shape the number of days, crew and versions around it.
Is the cheapest quote always the worst?
Not always, but check what is missing. Sound recording, lighting, colour grading and licences are the usual gaps.
Are revisions included?
Most quotes include a set number of revision rounds. Ask how many, and what counts as a revision.
How we quote at Fat Cat Media
We have filmed corporate videos in Dubai and across the UAE since 2012 with our own crew and 6K cameras. After a short brief we send an itemised quote, so you can see exactly what each part of the budget covers and adjust it. See our corporate video service or send us your project details on WhatsApp.
Need help with corporate video?
Company profiles, factory and office films, recruitment and training videos. Send us a short brief and we will come back with an itemised quote.
