Notes from the studio · Production guide · 2 min read
A practical guide to budgeting AI films: shot complexity, continuity, brand accuracy, revisions and delivery versions.
Written by Kalvia Studios
Start with the scope, not the software
An AI production budget covers the work required to deliver a film, not just the cost of generating images or video. Writing, visual development, shot tests, editing, VFX, colour and sound all need to be considered. At Kalvia Studios, studio engagements start at US$5,000. That is a starting point for an engagement, not a fixed price for every kind of film. A quote needs a brief and an agreed set of deliverables.
Runtime is only one part of the calculation
Two films of the same length can need very different amounts of work. A sequence with a recurring character, dialogue and exact product detail is a different production from a montage of unrelated environments. Count the distinct shots, the details that must remain consistent, the difficulty of the action and the amount of finishing each shot may need. These factors help explain why a price per second can be misleading.
Decide what must be exact
A brand logo, a product label or an interface may require controlled graphic or CGI work rather than free generation. Bring approved assets and mark the elements that cannot change. For an AI commercial, the production approach should protect those details while leaving room to explore setting, atmosphere and camera language. Identifying this early makes a budget more useful.
Agree how review will work
A change to a treatment is different from a change to a finished sequence. Approve the central idea, visual references and representative shots before making the full film. The quote should identify review stages, included revisions, the people who sign off and how changes in scope are handled. Consolidated feedback helps the production team act on a clear decision.
List every delivery version
A widescreen hero film, a vertical cutdown, a teaser and a captioned language version are different deliverables. Some can share material, but each needs editorial and technical review. State the platforms, durations, aspect ratios and language requirements in the brief. Also identify whether you need source files, stills or a behind-the-scenes edit.
What to send for a useful estimate
Send the objective, audience, approximate runtime, reference films, available assets, required versions and target release date. If the budget is fixed, say so: the treatment can then be designed around that constraint. A responsible estimate connects cost to decisions and deliverables, and explains what remains uncertain before production starts.
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