How Much Does a Company Profile Video Cost in South Africa?
Last Updated: 26 minutes ago by Astral Studios Staff
Company profile video cost in South Africa starts around R15,000 and can pass R400,000. The final price depends on scope, not just length.
A client requested a three-minute company profile video on a R20,000 budget. They also wanted drone footage, six staff interviews and isiZulu subtitles. That wish list sat well above the budget.
This gap is common. So here is what drives the price, and what each budget level buys. For a wider view, see the video production cost guide.
What Is a Company Profile Video?
A company profile video tells people who you are and what you do. Most run between one and three minutes. Buyers, investors and new hires often watch one before they call.
It differs from a general corporate video. A corporate video can cover training, events or announcements. A profile video focuses on your story, your people and your proof. For broader pricing, read the corporate video cost guide.
Company Profile Video vs Explainer Video
An explainer video teaches one idea or product. A company profile video introduces the whole business. Explainers lean on animation. Profiles lean on real people and places. The guide on live action or animation helps you choose.
What Affects Company Profile Video Cost in South Africa?
Four things move the price most. Each one adds crew time, edit time or both.
Length and Number of Interviews
Every extra minute adds editing. Every extra interviewee adds setup, lighting and sound. Six short interviews cost more than one leader on camera. Likewise, unscripted answers need more editing than scripted narration.
Locations, Drone Footage and Travel
One office is the cheapest option. Add a factory, a mine or a second city, and costs climb. Travel, accommodation and site safety inductions all add up. Drone footage needs a licensed pilot and extra time. The corporate drone video cost guide has the detail.
Live Action, Animation or a Mix
Live action suits companies that want to show real people and places. Animation suits sensitive sites or abstract services. Many profiles mix both. Check the 2D animation cost guide if you want animated sections.
Languages, Captions and Cutdowns
South Africa has eleven official languages. Subtitles or voiceovers in isiZulu, Sesotho or Afrikaans add cost. They also widen your reach. Captions help people who watch without sound.
Read about how many languages your video needs. Then look at closed captions and SASL. Short cutdowns for LinkedIn and your website add edit time too. Ask for them in the first quote.
Company Profile Video Cost: A Realistic SA Pricing Guide
Here is a guide for 2026. These are indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Your quote will vary with your brief.
| Profile Video Type | Approximate Cost (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Short profile, under 2 min, one location | R15,000 – R35,000 |
| Standard profile, 2-3 min, 1 to 2 shoot days | R35,000 – R75,000 |
| Multi-location profile, 3-5 min, several interviews | R75,000 – R150,000 |
| Premium brand profile, drone, multiple languages, larger crew | R150,000 – R400,000+ |
| Animated profile, 2 min, 2D | R34,000 – R60,000 |
| Animated profile, 2 min, 3D | R80,000 – R131,000 |
Most standard profiles land in the middle tiers. Cutdowns and subtitles are quoted per project. A one-boardroom shoot costs far less than filming across three provinces.
What the Day Rates Look Like
A one-day shoot in Johannesburg with a professional crew typically costs R15,000 to R35,000. Offline editing runs around R3,600 per day. Online grading costs around R4,200 per day. Sound design adds roughly R3,500.
A two-minute profile often needs three to five post-production days. So the edit can cost as much as the shoot. Backup power on location adds a small line item too.
What Does a Quote Include?
A good quote lists every stage. It shows pre-production, filming and post-production as separate lines. Check these items before you compare prices:
- The number of revision rounds
- Music licensing
- Voiceover or presenter fees
- Subtitles and extra languages
- Delivery formats and cutdowns
- Travel and location fees
A cheaper quote that skips these items can cost more later. A clear brief makes quotes easier to compare. Use the video production brief template. You can also read how to brief a production company.
DIY and Template Tools vs Professional Production
Free template tools can build a slideshow-style profile in an afternoon. That works for a small internal update. It rarely works for investors, tenders or large clients. Those viewers judge your business by how the video looks and sounds.
Poor audio is a common giveaway. Flat lighting comes next. A professional crew fixes both. The article on professional corporate video vs DIY compares the two in more detail.
Company Profile Video Cost for Tenders and Supplier Vetting
Many South African buyers ask suppliers for a company profile. Government departments and large corporates often do. A short profile video can sit beside your written submission. It shows your people, your site and your safety standards.
Check each tender’s rules first. Some tenders may accept documents only. See what buyers ask for on the National Treasury eTender Portal.
Our guide on winning industrial tenders with video proposals shows the approach. Work with the state? Read how to hire a production company for SA government video work.
How Long Does Production Take?
Most profiles take four to six weeks from briefing to delivery. Interviews and approvals set the pace. Late feedback slows things down the most. The video production timeline article lays out each stage.
SA Considerations Before You Film
Three local issues can change your budget. Plan for each one early.
Filming Consent Under POPIA
Staff and visitors generally need to give consent before you film them. Signed release forms protect everyone. The Information Regulator publishes the rules. Confirm the details with your legal adviser. Our filming consent checklist is a good start.
Film Permits and Site Access
Some public locations in Johannesburg need a film permit. Mines and factories add safety inductions and escorts. Read about film permits in Johannesburg before you book a shoot day.
Preparing Your Team for Camera
Staff on camera need simple guidance. Clothing and colours matter more than most people expect. What to wear on camera covers the basics.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Have these ready before you call a production company:
- The purpose of the video
- Your audience and where they will watch
- Your preferred length and format
- Locations and number of people on camera
- Your timeline
- A budget range
Then ask for a quote that splits each stage. Get two or three quotes. Compare scope, not just the total.
Ready to Talk Numbers?
Contact us for a company profile video quote from Astral Studios. Email info@astralstudios.co.za or call +27 (0) 11 467 4499. You can also visit the Showcase page to see examples of past work.
Glossary of Technical Terms
Pre-production: The planning phase. It includes scripting, storyboarding, casting and location scouting.
Production: The filming phase. Cameras roll and crew capture footage and sound.
Post-production: The editing phase. It covers cutting, colour grading, sound design, music and graphics.
Cutdown: A shorter version of a finished video. Often made for social media or email.
B-roll: Extra footage that covers your main interviews. Examples include your premises, team and products.
Talking head: A shot of one person speaking to the camera or interviewer.
Colour grading: Adjusting the colour and look of footage so it feels consistent.
Voiceover: Recorded narration that plays over the footage.
Motion graphics: Animated text and shapes added to video. Often used for titles and data.
Storyboard: A visual plan that shows each scene before filming starts.
Closed captions: On-screen text of the audio. Viewers can switch them on or off.
SASL: South African Sign Language. Some videos add a signer for deaf viewers.
Revision round: One cycle of client feedback and edits. Quotes usually include a set number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average company profile video cost in South Africa?
Most standard profiles fall between R35,000 and R75,000. Simple videos start near R15,000. Multi-location or premium productions can pass R150,000.
How long should a company profile video be?
Two to three minutes suits most businesses. Social media versions work best under 90 seconds. Shorter videos also cost less to edit.
Is animation cheaper than live action for a company profile?
Not always. Simple 2D animation can cost less. Detailed 3D animation can cost more than a live shoot.
Does the quote include VAT?
Most studios quote excluding VAT. Always confirm this when you compare quotes. It changes the total by 15%.
Can one shoot give me several videos?
Yes. One shoot can produce a main film and several cutdowns. Ask for the cutdowns up front. Adding them later costs more.
How many shoot days do I need?
Most profiles need one to two shoot days. Multiple sites or many interviews need more.
Can I use a company profile video in a tender?
Often yes, as supporting material. Check each tender’s rules first. Some only accept written documents.
Can I supply my own footage to reduce costs?
Sometimes. Footage must meet broadcast quality standards. A producer can review your clips and tell you what works.
