How much does a music video cost in Los Angeles?
By The BTR Editorial Team · Last verified · Methodology
A one-day music video in Los Angeles costs $700–$6,000
for a full shoot day, the edit, a color grade and one round of changes. Most Los Angeles artists pay about $2,600; a half day is $420–$3,600.
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Music Video costs in Los Angeles are up around 3.5% over the past year, re-verified against 19+ sources in October 2026. The typical Los Angeles price is $2,600 per video, 30% above the US typical of $2,000 per video.
Year on yearIn Los Angeles, a one-day music video from a single videographer-director costs $700–$6,000, with $2,600 the typical quote for one location, basic lighting, the edit and a color grade. A big market means real choice: film-school shooters at the bottom, solo shooter-editors in the middle and crews with label credits at the top. A director, DP and crew for one day runs $3,500–$18,000.
Los Angeles is the center of the music video business, with more directors, camera operators and rental houses than anywhere else. That depth cuts both ways: a new shooter can be cheap, and a director with label credits prices like it.
The base price is one shoot day, one location and one videographer who also edits and color grades. If your idea needs a story, actors or several locations, that's a crew quote, not a one-day shooter quote.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: music video cost in the USA.
$700–$6,000 for a one-day music video in Los Angeles with one videographer-director, basic lighting, one location, edit and color — typically $2,600. A half day is $420–$3,600; a director with a crew is $3,500–$18,000. Verified October 2026. Get free Los Angeles quotes →
- One-day shoot with edit and color: $700–$6,000 ($2,600 typical)
- Half day $420–$3,600; director + DP + crew $3,500–$18,000
- Videographer on set $70–$360/hr; overtime $100–$540 per hour
- Lyric video $140–$2,000; 3 vertical cut-downs $140–$1,200
- Highest-priced crews: Hollywood & West Hollywood; lowest: South LA, Inglewood & Long Beach
Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 19+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Camera, basic lighting, the edit and a color grade included unless the row says otherwise. Los Angeles metro, re-verified October 2026.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-shooter half day (4–5 hrs, edit + color)per video | $420per video | $1,700 | $3,600 |
| Single-shooter full day — edit, color, 1 revisionper video | $700per video | $2,600 | $6,000 |
| Director + DP + crew, one dayper video | $3,500per video | $7,800 | $18,000 |
| Two-day shoot with crewper video | $6,300per video | $14,250 | $36,000 |
| Location feeper day | $210per day | $520 | $2,000 |
| Studio or stage rentalper day | $420per day | $1,050 | $3,300 |
| Lighting packageper day | $210per day | $650 | $2,700 |
| Drone add-onper day | $350per day | $780 | $2,100 |
| Editing only (your footage)per video | $210per video | $1,050 | $2,700 |
| Color grade onlyper video | $210per video | $520 | $1,800 |
| VFX / animationper minute | $420per minute | $1,950 | $7,800 |
| Lyric videoper video | $140per video | $390 | $2,000 |
| Visualizer loopper video | $100per video | $260 | $1,200 |
| Vertical / social cut-downsper set of 3 | $140per set of 3 | $390 | $1,200 |
| Extra revision roundadd-on | $100add-on | $200 | $600 |
| 4K / RAW delivery add-onadd-on | $100add-on | $320 | $1,500 |
| Rush delivery (under 7 days)add-on | $140add-on | $520 | $1,500 |
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Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 19+ American pricing sources · See methodology
These ranges cover the Los Angeles area and include the edit and a color grade. Locations, permits, talent and extra crew are extra unless the row says so.
Music video prices across Los Angeles
Where the crew is based and where you shoot both change the quote. Crews in Hollywood & West Hollywood charge the most; shooters around South LA, Inglewood & Long Beach are the cheapest in the metro.
Hollywood & West Hollywood
- Hourly
- $80–$400/hr
- Job
- $840–$6,600 / one-day shoot
Busy, central shooting areas where permits, parking and crowds take more planning. Expect experienced crews and quotes at the top of the local range.
Downtown & the Arts District
- Hourly
- $70–$360/hr
- Job
- $700–$6,000 / one-day shoot
The working middle of the market: solo shooter-editors and small crews doing one-day performance videos for local artists at fair rates.
The Valley
- Hourly
- $70–$320/hr
- Job
- $700–$5,400 / one-day shoot
Mostly location shoots — streets, homes and small businesses. Rates run at or a little under the city median.
South LA, Inglewood & Long Beach
- Hourly
- $65–$320/hr
- Job
- $630–$5,400 / one-day shoot
Location shoots booked by local artists, with rates up to 10% under the city median. Ask whether travel is included if the crew is based elsewhere.
Real-World Music Video Costs in Los Angeles
Here's what common music video jobs cost in Los Angeles in 2026, one shoot day, edit and color.
One-location performance video in a day
One videographer-director, basic lighting, you performing at one rented location, then the edit, a color grade and one round of changes. Most Los Angeles shooters quote $700–$2,600 for the day and the edit; a paid location adds about $520.
Narrative video — 2 days, 3 locations, 6-person crew
A director, DP, gaffer, grip, a hair and makeup artist and a producer across two days, with a treatment and a full edit. The crew and two days run $6,300–$36,000 in Los Angeles; two paid locations add about $1,050. Actors and extras are on top at $35–$660 per person a day.
Lyric video from the master
Animated words synced to the final mix, with a still or simple moving background. $140–$390 is the going rate from freelancers; a fully designed, animated lyric video from a specialist can reach $2,000.
Live set — 3 cameras
Three operators covering a show or a live performance, with sound taken from the board and a multicam edit. Expect $1,100–$9,000 in Los Angeles; the venue may also want proof of insurance.
Social cut-downs from an existing video
Three vertical edits for Reels, TikTok and Shorts, cut from footage you already have. $140–$1,200 in Los Angeles; many shooters include one or more if you ask when you book the main video.
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How much does a music video cost in Los Angeles?
$700 to $6,000 for a one-day music video, edit and color included, and most Los Angeles artists land between $1,950 and $3,650. Three things set the number: who's behind the camera, how much gear and crew come with them, and how long the edit takes.
Crew shoots are the big jump: $3,500–$18,000 for a director, DP and crew for one day, $6,300–$36,000 for two days. That buys a lighting plan, more setups and a bigger edit, not just more people. Re-verified against 19 sources in October 2026.
Music video booking fees and terms in Los Angeles (2026)
The headline price is for a one-day shoot with edit and color: $700–$6,000. These are the lines that move the final bill — the deposit, extra time, changes, rush delivery and people in front of the camera.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit to hold the shoot date | 25% | 50% | 50–100% |
| Cancellation or weather day | Free reschedule | Deposit kept | Full day's fee |
| Overtime, each hour on set | $100 | $240 | $540 |
| Extra revision round | $100 | $200 | $600 |
| Rush delivery (under 7 days) | $140 | $520 | $1,500 |
| Talent / extras, per person per day | $35 | $200 | $660 |
| Film permit | None (private property) | $260 | $1,200 |
| Usage / licensing fee | None (artist-owned) | None (artist-owned) | Quoted for brand or ad use |
Ask every Los Angeles videographer for an all-in quote: hours on set, locations, lighting, the edit, color, revisions and delivery formats. Two quotes of $2,600 can be $1,300 apart once the extras are added.
What moves a music video quote in Los Angeles:
- Crew size — one shooter is $700–$6,000; a director, DP and crew is $3,500–$18,000.
- Shoot days — a half day is $420–$3,600; a two-day shoot with crew is $6,300–$36,000.
- Locations and space — $210–$2,000 per paid location a day, $420–$3,300 for rented stage space.
- Add-ons — drone $350–$2,100 a day, extra lighting $210–$2,700, VFX $420–$7,800 per minute.
- Delivery — rush delivery adds $140–$1,500; every extra round of changes is $100–$600.
Get the same five things from every Los Angeles videographer: hours on set, what's delivered, revision rounds, the delivery date and the deposit. Compare those, not the headline price. Get a quote for your video →
Music Video Cost in Los Angeles by Shoot Days and Crew
One shooter, half day: $420–$3,600. One shooter, full day: $700–$6,000. Director + DP + crew, one day: $3,500–$18,000. Two days with a crew: $6,300–$36,000.
Worked example: a one-day Los Angeles music video at $2,600, a paid location at $520, three vertical cut-downs at $390 and a lyric video at $390 comes to about $3,900. Drop the lyric video and shoot somewhere free and it's about $3,000.
Deliverables matter as much as days. One main video is the base price; each set of three vertical cuts adds $140–$1,200, and a visualizer loop for streaming platforms adds $100–$1,200.
Los Angeles Music Video Costs by Production Type
| Production Type | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Student / new videographer | $420–$1,300 | A first video or a simple performance shoot where the budget matters most |
| Solo shooter-editor | $700–$3,900 | One-location performance videos with edit and color in Los Angeles |
| Videographer with small crew | $3,250–$7,200 | Performance plus a simple story, better lighting, two locations |
| Director + DP + crew | $3,500–$18,000 | Concept videos with a treatment, a lighting plan and a crew of three to six |
| Production company | $10,500–$36,000+ | Multi-day narrative videos with casting, permits and a producer |
| Animation / VFX house | $420–$7,800 per minute | Animated videos, green screen and effects-heavy edits |
| Lyric-video specialist | $140–$2,000 | Release-day lyric videos and visualizers built from the master |
| Live-show multicam team | $1,100–$9,000 | Concerts and live sets filmed on three or more cameras |
Hired videographer vs DIY phone shoot vs lyric video in Los Angeles
A hired videographer in Los Angeles costs $700–$6,000 for a one-day shoot with edit and color. A phone shoot costs $50–$500 for a gimbal, a small light and an edit app, and a lyric video costs $140–$2,000 — no shoot day at all.
A phone shoot is fine for social content and teasers; a hired shooter is what makes a main video look like a release. Many Los Angeles artists do both: a $390 lyric video on release day and a shot video for the song that's taking off.
What's included in a Los Angeles music video (and what costs extra)
A standard one-day music video covers the videographer-director, their camera and basic lights, up to a full day at one location, the edit, a color grade, one round of changes and an HD or 4K export. Usually extra:
- Locations and rented space — $210–$2,000 per paid location a day, $420–$3,300 for stage space
- Extra crew and lighting — a full lighting package is $210–$2,700 a day
- Drone shots — $350–$2,100 a day
- Vertical cut-downs and extra revisions — $140–$1,200 for three cuts, $100–$600 per extra round
Ask how many revision rounds are included. Extra rounds are the most common surprise on a music video invoice.
The size of the team
One videographer-director in Los Angeles is $700–$6,000 for a day. A director with a DP and crew is $3,500–$18,000, and a two-day crew shoot runs $6,300–$36,000.
Shoot days and hours
A half day is $420–$3,600, a full day $700–$6,000. Every hour past the booked day costs $100–$540.
Locations and rented space
A paid location adds $210–$2,000 a day, and rented stage space $420–$3,300. Shooting on public streets can also need a permit.
Lighting, drone and gear
Basic lighting is in the base price. A full lighting package is $210–$2,700 a day and drone shots $350–$2,100.
How much post-production
The base price includes the edit, a color grade and one round of changes. Extra rounds are $100–$600 each, and VFX or animation runs $420–$7,800 per finished minute.
Location — Hollywood & West Hollywood vs South LA, Inglewood & Long Beach
Crews based in Hollywood & West Hollywood sit at the top of the Los Angeles range. Shooters around South LA, Inglewood & Long Beach are the cheapest in the metro.
Deliverables
Vertical cut-downs ($140–$1,200 for three), 4K or RAW files ($100–$1,500) and rush delivery ($140–$1,500) all add to the bill. Ask for them up front.
- Plan one location.Every paid location adds $210–$2,000 a day, plus moving time. One strong location shoots faster and costs less in Los Angeles.
- Write a shot list first.Know every setup before the day starts. Planning is free; hours on set are not.
- Book the cut-downs with the main video.Vertical edits cost $140–$1,200 for three on their own. Shooters often add them for less when they're part of the main booking.
- Keep the revision rounds to one.Gather all your notes before you send them. Every extra round is $100–$600.
- Skip the rush.Book the shoot four to six weeks before release. Rush delivery adds $140–$1,500.
- Use friends as extras.Paid extras cost $35–$660 per person a day. Friends and fans in the background cost lunch.
Los Angeles videographers often quote by text or DM. Before you pay a deposit, get these in writing:
- Hours on set, start time and the overtime rate
- Who shoots and who edits — and whether that's the same person
- Camera, lighting and any drone or extra gear included
- Number of locations and who pays for them
- The edit, color grade and how many revision rounds
- Delivery date and formats — HD, 4K, vertical cuts
- Who handles permits, and who pays
- Deposit, balance due date and the cancellation or weather-day terms
How much does a music video cost in Los Angeles?
$700–$6,000 for a one-day shoot with one videographer-director, basic lighting, one location, edit and color, and $2,600 is typical. A director with a full crew costs $3,500–$18,000.
How much is a cheap music video in Los Angeles?
$420–$1,700 for a half-day shoot at one location with edit and color. Film students and newer shooters sit at the bottom of that range; a lyric video with no shoot day is $140–$2,000.
How much does a videographer charge per hour in Los Angeles?
About $70–$360/hr on set, but most quote a day or a package that includes the edit. Overtime past the booked day is $100–$540 per hour.
How much is a lyric video in Los Angeles?
$140–$2,000. Simple text-on-background lyric videos sit at the bottom; fully animated typography sits at the top. A visualizer loop is $100–$1,200.
How much does a music video with a full crew cost in Los Angeles?
$3,500–$18,000 for one day with a director, a DP and a small crew. Two days with a crew run $6,300–$36,000.
How much does a music video cost per minute?
Shot videos are priced by the day, not the minute — $700–$6,000 for one day in Los Angeles, whatever the song length. Animation and VFX are priced per finished minute: $420–$7,800.
How much do drone shots add in Los Angeles?
$350–$2,100 a day for a licensed drone operator. Some locations don't allow drones, so check before you plan the shot.
Do I need a permit to shoot a music video in Los Angeles?
On private property with the owner's permission, usually not. On public streets with a crew and gear, often yes — budget $260–$1,200 and check with the city film office.
How long does a music video take in Los Angeles?
One shoot day, then two to four weeks for the edit and color. Rush delivery in under a week adds $140–$1,500.
Who owns the music video?
You should. Get it in writing that you own the finished video and can post it anywhere. Usage fees only come up when a brand pays to run it as an ad.
Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 19+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Los Angeles metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.