Video production
How Long Does It Take to Make a Corporate Video?
Updated July 17, 2026
A corporate video usually takes 3 to 6 weeks end to end: about one week of pre-production (brief, script, casting, locations), one or two shoot days, and two to four weeks of post-production. Simple pieces land sooner; campaigns with animation or several locations take longer.
The three phases and how much each weighs
Every video moves through pre-production, the shoot, and post-production. Pre-production —brief, script, storyboard, casting, locations and planning— takes roughly a week and decides whether the shoot runs smoothly. The shoot itself is usually the shortest step: one or two focused days. Post-production is the longest phase: editing, color, sound, graphics and revision rounds can run two to four weeks. So most of the calendar happens before and after the camera rolls, not in front of it.
What speeds the process up
A clear brief is the single biggest accelerator: when we know the goal, message, tone and where it will be published, pre-production shrinks dramatically. It also helps to have an approved script, confirmed people and locations, and fewer revision rounds by agreeing upfront who signs off. At Bostak Films we tend to deliver faster when the client channels feedback through one person and replies quickly between versions. Less back-and-forth always means fewer calendar days.
What stretches the timeline
A few things naturally extend the schedule: animation and motion graphics, built frame by frame; multiple locations or shoot days; interviews that need transcription and story-editing in the edit; voiceover or translation into several languages; and open-ended revisions with no closing date. None of this is a problem, it just has to be planned for. The sooner these variables surface in the brief, the more realistic and comfortable the timeline becomes for everyone involved.
Timelines by type of piece
A simple video —a testimonial, a social clip, a to-camera message— can be ready in one or two weeks. A standard brand or product corporate video sits in the three-to-six-week range. A campaign with animation, several locations or multi-language versions can run to two months or more. And rush jobs do exist: with tight planning and a dedicated crew, timelines can be compressed, though it's wise to always keep some margin for the final color and sound.
How to plan backward from your launch date
If you have a launch date, plan in reverse. Reserve two to four weeks for post-production before that date, place the shoot one or two weeks earlier, and start pre-production as soon as you can. As a rule of thumb, have the project moving at least six weeks before you need it live. If you're tight, tell the team from the start: there's almost always a way to adapt the plan, but it's far easier to do before the cameras roll than after.
FAQ
How long does it take to produce a corporate video?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks: around a week of pre-production, one or two shoot days, and two to four weeks of post-production. Simple pieces land sooner; campaigns with animation or several languages need more time.
Why does post-production take so long?
Because it packs editing, color, sound, graphics and several client revision rounds into one phase. Each revised version adds days. Agreeing upfront who approves and replying quickly between versions is what shortens it most.
Can a video be made on a tight deadline?
Yes. With a clear brief, a dedicated crew and quick decisions, timelines can be compressed noticeably. It's wise to keep some margin for the final color and sound, which set the perceived quality of the piece.
When should I start if I have a launch date?
Plan backward: leave two to four weeks of post-production before the date and start pre-production as early as possible. As a rule, have the project moving at least six weeks before you need it live.
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