Pre-Production begins when you call or email us to initiate a project. Your initial consultation with Avatar NuMedia is free! We will "get a feel" for the type of production you would like, and share our ideas on the best way to approach your project. Pre-production also includes all of the scripting, planning and other work that goes on before the cameras start rolling.

Planning: The planning stage includes discussions about the specific content of the program, examining the best equipment and personnel to assign to the job, and scheduling dates and times for production. Planning also includes any design work that must happen before a shoot, such as set and prop construction.

• Basic: Very simple productions, such as seminar taping or a quick monologue, take very little advance planning. Cost ranges from $0 to $50.
• Mid-level: The average production requires some advance planning, and may include a meeting or two to organize the production, discuss creative ideas, design graphics, review the script, etc. Cost ranges from $100 to $1000.
• High-level: Complex productions require as much advance work as possible. Activities can include location scouting, hiring specialist personnel, screening actors and voice-over talent, and designing 3D graphics. Cost ranges from $1000 to several thousand.

Scripting: The script may be a few notes scribbled on a napkin, or a complex document like feature film directors use, or somewhere in between.

• Basic: Basic productions usually don't have much of a finished script, and might be either memorized or written on cue cards. Often our clients will write their own scripts. Cost is usually $0!
• Mid-level: Avatar will work with you to develop a written script, either written by you with our input, or written by us with your input. Careful attention is paid to present your message in an entertaining and clear message. Cost may range from $100 to $1500.
• High-level: High-end videos are much like mid-level productions. Often the script is accompanied by a storyboard, a series of drawings that describe shot by shot what each scene should look like. Cost may range from $1500 and up.

Production is the "Lights, Camera, Action!" stage of the process. During production, the camera crew gathers the footage needed to make your video. Prices given below are for a single day of shooting, although your project may take more than one day to acquire all the necessary footage.

Video: The program may be shot on a wide variety of tape formats ranging from VHS and Hi8, like what you might use at home, to BetacamSP or a digital format for a broadcast quality look.

• Basic: Sometimes shot on Hi8 or SVHS, but also includes simple broadcast quality BetacamSP programs. This level of production usually includes a basic lighting set-up in an office, home, conference room, basic outdoor location or similar place. One day of shooting can range between $600 to $1300.
• Mid-level: Most productions these days are shot on BetacamSP, the industry's broadcast quality standard. Mid-level productions are often shot on location in an office or home, but may be shot in a basic studio environment or outdoors. Professional actors may be used on camera or for voice-overs. One day of shooting can range between $1300 to $2500.
• High-level: The highest quality video productions are always shot on BetacamSP or a digital format such as Digital Betacam, and are usually shot over several days. These programs usually involve professional talent and special equipment like SteadiCam rigs, camera booms and dollies, underwater cameras, etc. One day of shooting can start at $3500.

Film: Did you know most dramatic television programs are shot on film, not video? Film is used for the highest quality image, with picture qualities similar to what you'd see in a movie theater. Film has to be developed, then transferred to video before it can be edited, which accounts for its higher cost. Prices given below are for a single day of shooting, although your project may take more than one day to acquire all the necessary footage.

• Basic: Simple film shoots are usually shot on 16mm film stock, and might include a simple monologue, b-roll, or environment shoot. One day of basic film production can range from $3000 to $4500.
• Mid-level: Most film shoots are shot on 16mm film stock. Mid-level productions are often shot on location in an office or home, but may be shot in a basic studio environment or outdoors. Professional actors may be used on camera or for voice-overs. One day of shooting can range between $6000 to $10,000.
• High-level: The highest quality film productions are usually shot on 35mm film stock, and are usually filmed over several days. These programs usually involve professional talent and special equipment like SteadiCam rigs, camera booms and dollies, underwater cameras, etc. One day of shooting can range between $10,000 to $20,000.

Post-production is when the editing magic happens. The production footage is edited together, and combined with voice-overs, graphics, 3D animations and special effects to create your finished program.

Linear: Video has been edited in a linear fashion for decades. An editor assembles your program in a tape to tape fashion, one shot at a time. A complex series of electronics may be used to mix the video together and create special effects. You should consider linear editing for either the most simple program (like a 5 minute series of simple cuts with no special effects) or for a high-end on-line production (like for a television commercial).

• Basic: Simple linear edits are known as "cuts only." Essentially, you edit a simple program on a simple system, without any special effects. Usually only used for short programs, or piecing together a few segments. Cuts only linear editing at Avatar NuMedia is $75/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $75 to $450.
• Mid-level: A moderate linear editing session might last for a few days and include such basic effects such as fades and wipes. Your program might also include some simple graphics, and perhaps a 2D animation or two. General linear editing is $150/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $300 to $6000.
• High-level: High end finished quality programs include lengthily or complex edits, custom special effects, matting, and 3D animation. It is likely that your program should be edited non-linearly in a rough draft form before it is finished in a linear edit suite. Finished quality post production can be $275 to $475/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $6000 and up.

Non-linear: Today's cutting-edge technology allows programs to be edited entirely on computers, a process akin to word processing. This means making changes to your program is as quick as cutting and pasting. This non-linear process frees your brain up to be more creative and experimental.

• Basic: Simple non-linear edits are quick and simple. They include lots of basic effects and a few simple graphics. All non-linear editing is $95/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $95 to $500.
• Mid-level: Programs of moderate length or complexity fit in this category. They include lots of exciting and creative edits, eye-popping 2D graphics and animation, and more. All non-linear editing is $95/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $500 to $5000.
• High-level: This includes lengthily or especially complicated programs, and includes everything you'd find in a mid-level production, plus unique special effects and 3D animations. All non-linear editing is $95/hr. You can usually expect to spend from $5000 and up.

Music: Music helps bring a video alive. It helps set the mood, and gets people tapping their feet!

• Basic: Simple productions may have one song in them from our stock music library. Cost ranges from $25 to $125.
• Mid-level: Programs of moderate length or complexity usually have one or more songs from our stock music library. Cost ranges from $25 to $350.
• High-level: High end finished productions may have stock music just like mid-level productions, but they may also include custom original music, or a licensed hit song. Custom or licensed music ranges from $500 and up.

If you'd like to see some more detailed information on some of these topics, check out our Video Production FAQ.