Straight answers
AI or a camera?
AI video vs. live-action video for business
AI video makes sense when an idea would be too costly or impossible to film: products in impossible places, pitch films and social ads at volume. Live action is still right for real people, real places and testimonials. At Two Horn Productions in Pittsburgh, a 30 to 60 second spot costs about the same either way.
Prices and comparison reviewed
Side by side
| Factor | AI video | Live-action video |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 60 second commercial | $4,500 to $8,000 | $5,000 to $8,000 for one shoot day |
| 2 to 3 minute brand film | $10,000 to $18,000 | $12,000 to $20,000 for two shoot days |
| Cheapest way to try it | A 10 to 15 second AI test clip, $1,200, credited toward a larger project | The 5415: five short FAQ videos from one 90-minute shoot, $1,500 |
| Location, crew and travel | None needed. Works for clients anywhere | Needed. On location around Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania, or wherever we travel |
| Real people and testimonials | Not the right tool. Real people are the hardest thing to keep consistent | The right tool. Real people telling real stories |
| Your exact product and logo | Possible with care. We test it early and tell you what’s realistic | Exact. It’s filmed as it is |
| Impossible or very costly scenes | Strong: other decades, other worlds, big set pieces | Costly, or not possible at all |
| Many versions for social | Strong: same look and characters across a series | Good when everything is captured on one shoot day |
| Will viewers know? | Usually. We’re happy to label it and follow platform disclosure rules | Nothing to disclose |
| Editing, color and sound | Done by hand, the same as a shoot | Done by hand |
See every range on what a video costs.
Choose AI video when
- The idea would need a Hollywood budget to shoot for real, like our 200 Mile Race of Legends for Tastyland
- You need to show a client, board or investor an idea before anyone pays for a shoot
- A campaign needs many short versions with the same look and characters
- You want to show what a camera can’t see: inside a machine, or a place before it was built
Choose live action when
- The story is about real people: testimonials, interviews, your team, your customers
- Your exact product, building or event has to look exactly right
- It’s documentary, like 50 Phenoms, the UPMC series that won us Mid-Atlantic Emmys in 2022 and 2023
Or mix them
Many of the best projects use both: film the people, generate the impossible parts, and finish it all in one edit. We do both under one roof, so you don’t have to pick a vendor for each. See AI filmmaking and video production.
Questions
Is AI video cheaper than live-action video?
Not always. At Two Horn Productions a 30 to 60 second AI commercial costs $4,500 to $8,000 and a one-day live-action commercial $5,000 to $8,000, so the price is similar. AI saves the most when an idea would be too costly, or impossible, to film for real, because it skips crews, locations, sets and travel.
When should a business choose AI video?
Choose AI video for product and concept films, pitch films that sell an idea before a shoot is approved, social campaigns that need many versions, explainers that show what a camera can’t see, event openers and company-history pieces.
When is live-action video the better choice?
Choose live action when the video depends on real people, real places or your exact product: testimonials, interviews, events, facility tours and documentary. AI still struggles to keep real faces and products consistent from shot to shot.
Can you mix AI video with real footage?
Yes. Two Horn Productions is a live-action production company first, so we shoot the parts that need real people and places, use AI for the rest, and cut, grade and mix it all together. AI also fills gaps, like an establishing shot you couldn’t get on the day.
Who owns AI-generated video?
In the US, the Copyright Office has said that material generated by AI from a prompt alone can’t be copyrighted, while the human-made parts can: the script, the selection and arrangement of shots, the edit, and any filmed footage, graphics or music added. If ownership matters for how you’ll use the video, check with your lawyer.
Who makes AI video in Pittsburgh?
Two Horn Productions in the North Hills makes AI films for businesses, including four drive-in films for Tastyland and a conference film for CEC. We’ve generated more than 1,000 AI images and 550 AI video clips, and every AI film gets the same edit, color and sound as our camera work. Call (412) 674-5741.
Hiring for the first time? Freelance videographer or production company: which do you need?
Not sure which fits?
Tell us the idea. We’ll tell you honestly whether it should be AI, a shoot or both, and reply within one business day.