Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the most common questions. The answer is rarely a simple number, as it depends on many factors such as such as video length, crew size, equipment and location. Once we meet with the clients to iron out all the details, we outline all the costs so there are no surprises. We can usually give clients a flat “project” cost so we’re not just billing an hourly or daily rate. In addition, for clients looking to create ongoing content, we offer reduced rates for long term projects, for example if we book 1 day of filming and editing each month for a year, we are able to offer our clients rates that are substantially discounted. For commercial costs specifically, check out this article - How Much Does a Commercial Cost.

We include as much as possible based on the agreed upon details we have at the time of our proposal. Including number of days of filming, locations and all “deliverables” that are to be edited and completed. Unless the scope of the project expands, extra costs are rare, but if for example, we have to hire actors or rent locations or studios, sometimes we don’t know those exact costs ahead of time. In those cases, we can give a “range” of what those costs will be, and they are billed separately. We are always fully transparent and will disclose those costs in advance for approval before moving forward.

For filming, we base it on how many “shoot days” it will take to film, as well as what equipment and crew are needed. For editing, judging by the target length and/or how many final videos are needed, we estimate how much time it will take to edit the entire project and come up with a “project price”.

There are some variables that can affect the price, but we offer a broadcast commercial package for $3000 that includes both a :30 and :15 version, which can go out to TV, streaming and social media platforms. We can also accommodate lower budgets by using stock footage, photos and graphics instead of filming. For more details, check out this article - How Much Does a Commercial Cost.

Our headquarters is Mahopac, NY which is 1 hour north of NYC. Our popular service areas are the NY tri-state area, Hudson valley region, NY City and Long Island, but we do frequently travel into Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the upstate NY area, NJ, CT, and even further up and down the east coast for our clients. We also have a network of camera operators and crew in many locations across the country. So no matter where you are located, feel free to reach out to us.

We value your feedback! Through good pre-production, communication, scripting and shot lists, we try to always stay on the same page to limit the amount of revisions. Once the video is edited, we submit it to the client for approval. If there are revisions needed, we understand this process and we’ll take care of it.

Depending on the project size, we typically include 1 “round” of revisions, sometimes 2 or 3 for larger jobs. For smaller jobs, like commercials, we include up to 3 hours of edit time for revisions. Usually, this is enough for most projects. Very rarely do we go over that allotted time and have to bill any extra.

Most likely…YES! We’ve been around long enough to work with clients from many different industries and professions, from giant international companies to the tiny mom-n-pop shop on the corner.

Of course, check out the work we have here on the site. If you want to see something more, please let us know. Also, if you like something you’ve seen in other videos or commercials, feel free to send us links. We welcome any ideas and direction you may have.

We are definitely rooted in the advertising and marketing space…so anything promotional. Commercials have definitely become sort of a niche for us, making up well over half of our work load.

Absolute Motion was born in 2001. Mike (owner) has worked in the video and film industry since 1991.

Mike (owner) wears many hats. He shoots and edits. While he personally edits every project, sometimes (due to scheduling conflicts), one of our other camera operators and directors will be sent shoot a project, but be assured that everyone in our crew is experienced and easy to work with. To accommodate clients who may be outside of the NY tri-state area, we also have a network of camera operators and crew in many locations across the country. So no matter where you are located, feel free to reach out to us.

As involved as you want to be. Some clients are more hands on then others and we’re fine with that. If a client already has a marketing person or agency, it is good that we work together as much as possible to ensure the branding is consistent.

Yes! We work with our clients to write any scripts needed. Usually we ask clients to provide an outline first and we work off that and any other info provided to the write script(s). We can also help with marketing strategies for our videos. We have a network of marketing specialists we can partner with to create advertising campaigns on TV (national, local network and cable), as well as all streaming services and social media platforms.

Yes, it takes other factors to make sure a video is successful. It starts with preproduction. We identify what’s being advertised, who the target audience is, what the plans for the video are, how else it can be used, can it tie in with other marketing campaigns, etc…to best position your video or commercial for success. Once it’s completed, we can partner with our network of marketing specialists to create a personalized, targeted campaign and track analytics to make sure it’s successful. We’d also be happy to share it on our website and social media platforms.

YES! We’ve done many videos and commercials in Spanish and even Chinese. And with targeted advertising campaigns, it’s a great way to reach potential customers. Plus, the air-time is typically cheaper than English.

Typically we shoot with Sony cine-cameras like the FX3, FX6 and A7iv for stills. All editing is done on Avid Media Composer.

Yes! We carry insurance to cover locations, injuries, equipment etc…

Some production companies like to retain “ownership” of raw footage and charge extra just to use it in other future projects. Not us, we don’t see the value in that. When a client pays for production, rights to the footage is theirs. If a client wants to keep a copy of the raw footage, it’s good to let us know ahead of time. In some cases, we would need to provide an additional hard-drive for it, which would be an additional cost. We keep everything we shoot in our editing system as well as a back-up drive for at least 1 year, but usually footage is archived indefinitely and available to future edits and revisions as needed.

Choose someone who is easy to work with, communicates well (is quick to answer emails and messages), and has experience that aligns with what you’re looking to create. That is what we strive to provide, so hopefully for you, that is Absolute Motion.

Are you insured? How long have you been in business? What is your usual turnaround time? Do you have samples? Do you personally do all the work or subcontract out a crew? Please feel free to contact Absolute Motion with any questions you may have.

Yes, for sure, but they’ve evolved. What we think of as a "TV commercial" has expanded to streaming commercials on platforms like Prime, Hulu, YouTube TV, Netflix and all other services. Read our take on which ads are the most effective. and Your Next Customer Is Watching Streaming TV Right Now. Is Your Business On It?

It depends. For a video on the web or social media, probably not. For a streaming or TV commercial, definitely! Read the Do’s and Don’ts for using QR codes.

Absolutely. B2B video marketing is one of our core specialties, from product demos and explainer videos to case studies, testimonials, and full video marketing campaigns targeted at business audiences. Whether you need content for trade shows, LinkedIn, email campaigns, or your sales team, we can help. Learn more about our B2B video marketing services.

Yes! Music video production is something we genuinely enjoy (which stems from our music background). We can work with independent artists and labels across the NY Tri-State area, from concept development through final edit. See our music video work here.

Yes, we have experience producing commercials and promotional videos for healthcare providers, medical practices, and telehealth services. We understand the sensitivity required in healthcare marketing and can help you communicate trust and professionalism on screen. See our health commercial samples.

Yes. From in-store promotional content to broadcast and streaming commercials, we produce retail brand videos that drive foot traffic and online sales. See our retail commercial samples.

Streaming platforms like Hulu, Roku, and YouTube TV allow businesses to run targeted commercials to specific audiences by zip code, demographics, and even online search behavior, all with non-skippable ad formats in many cases. It's more precise and often more cost-effective than traditional cable. Read our full breakdown of how Hulu local TV advertising works.

CTV (Connected TV) refers to any television set connected to the internet, whether through a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, or gaming console. OTT (Over-the-Top) refers to the streaming content delivered over those devices, think Hulu, Prime Video, or Tubi. In practice the terms are often used interchangeably, but when someone says "CTV advertising" they typically mean running video ads on those internet-connected screens. We can help you produce and place ads across both. Learn more here.

More often than you think. Ad fatigue on streaming platforms can set in within weeks when the same households see your commercial repeatedly. We generally recommend rotating creative every 60 to 90 days. The good news is that smart production planning lets you shoot multiple variations in a single day, keeping costs down while keeping your campaign fresh. Read more about the 90-day creative rotation strategy.

Once your commercial is produced, we work with media partners to place it on Hulu and other streaming platforms, targeted to your specific service area and audience. Read our full breakdown of Hulu local TV advertising for how the targeting and costs work.

‍We're here to help. If your question isn't answered here, or if you're ready to discuss your project, please get in touch with our team.

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