Straight answers
Shooter or studio?
Freelance videographer or video production company: which do you need?
Hire a freelance videographer when you know what you need filmed and someone on your team will plan and edit it. Hire a video production company when you need the whole job done, from the plan to the finished files. Two Horn Productions in Pittsburgh works both ways.
Reviewed
Side by side
| Factor | Freelance videographer | Video production company |
|---|---|---|
| What you’re paying for | Someone’s time behind the camera, sometimes with a basic edit | A finished video, from the plan to the final files |
| Planning and script | Usually yours to do | Included: approach, script, schedule and shot list |
| Crew | Usually one person | Sized to the job, from one shooter to a full crew |
| Lighting and sound | Varies a lot from person to person | Part of every shoot |
| Editing, color and sound mix | Sometimes, or handed to your editor | Included, with rounds of changes |
| How it’s priced | Usually by the hour or the day | By the project, with a fixed quote before booking |
| Who manages it | You do | The company does, and you have one point of contact |
| Best for | Simple event coverage, b-roll for an in-house editor, quick social clips | Commercials, brand films, testimonials, campaigns and anything with a deadline that matters |
Questions to ask either one
- Can I see finished work like the video I need, not just a reel?
- Who plans it, who shoots it and who edits it?
- What’s included in the price, and how many rounds of changes?
- Will I get a fixed quote in writing before I book?
- Do you light the scene and record proper sound?
- What files do I get at the end, and can I use them anywhere?
Four ways to hire Two Horn
- Video production company: we plan, shoot and edit the whole thing. Most projects run $3,500 to $20,000 (typical prices).
- Videographer for your business: one small team for testimonials, events and social content, editing included.
- Cinematographer or camera operator: for agencies and productions that run the job themselves.
- Editing only: for footage you already have, $140 an hour.
Small business on a tight budget? The 5415 is five short FAQ videos from one 90-minute shoot for $1,500.
Questions
What is the difference between a videographer and a video production company?
A videographer is usually one person you hire to film; the planning and often the editing are up to you. A video production company plans, films and edits the whole video and delivers it finished. Two Horn Productions in Pittsburgh can be hired either way.
Is a video production company more expensive than a freelancer?
Usually per day, because the price covers planning, crew, gear and editing, not only time on camera. At Two Horn Productions most business videos cost $3,500 to $20,000 all-in, a one-day testimonial or brand video $5,000 to $10,000, and The 5415 package for small businesses is $1,500.
When is a freelance videographer the right choice?
When you already know exactly what you need filmed and someone on your team will plan it and edit it: simple event coverage, b-roll for an in-house editor or quick social clips. Pittsburgh has plenty of good freelancers for that kind of work.
Can I hire Two Horn just to shoot?
Yes. Agencies and productions hire PJ Horn as a director of photography or camera operator, shooting to their creative and delivery specs. We also edit footage you already have, at $140 an hour.
Who is a good video production company in Pittsburgh?
Two Horn Productions is a husband-and-wife studio in the North Hills with about fifteen years of shooting, editing and animation, four Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for UPMC’s 50 Phenoms, and a 5.0 Google rating. Call (412) 674-5741 or see the work at twohorn.com/work.
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Tell us what you’re making.
We’ll tell you which kind of help it needs, even if that isn’t us, and reply within one business day.