Social media videos — 1–2 weeks
Quick turnaround for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts. Planning 2-3 days, filming 1 day, editing 3-5 days, revisions 2-3 days.
Video production timeline.
From concept to delivery: realistic timelines for your video project and what factors affect production speed. Social videos in 1-2 weeks, brand films in 6-8 weeks. Post-production usually takes ~50% of the total schedule.
Social: 1–2 weeksCorporate: 3–4 weeksCommercial: 4–6 weeksBrand film: 6–8 weeksRush timelines available
Updated 2 min read
Video production timelines vary by complexity. Social media videos can be completed in 1-2 weeks, corporate videos take 3-4 weeks, and commercials require 4-6 weeks. Brand films and documentaries may take 6-8 weeks or longer. The fastest projects are the ones with the clearest brief and the fewest stakeholders.
Where does the time actually go? Pre-production usually runs about 25% of the schedule (concept, script, storyboard, scouting). Production is 15% (the shoot day itself, often 1-3 days). Post-production is 50% — editing, color, sound, motion, music, mastering. Reviews and revisions take the final 10%. Most projects feel slow not because production is slow, but because stakeholder approval cycles drag.
What affects your timeline
Faster vs. slower.
Factors that speed things up
Clear vision and a detailed brief, quick feedback and approvals, flexible scheduling, simple concepts with minimal locations, existing brand guidelines, and a single decision-maker on the client side.
- Clear vision and detailed brief
- Quick feedback and approvals
- Flexible scheduling
- Single decision-maker
Factors that slow things down
Complex approval chains, multiple stakeholders with conflicting feedback, extensive location requirements, custom animations or VFX, talent scheduling conflicts, and scope creep during production.
- Complex approval chains
- Conflicting stakeholder feedback
- Custom animations / VFX
- Scope creep during production
Phases
Where the time actually goes.
i.
Pre-production (25%)
Creative concept, script, storyboard, location scouting, casting, equipment and crew scheduling, shot list creation. Skipping pre-production is the fastest way to extend the project.
ii.
Production (15%)
The shoot day, usually 1-3 days. Setup and lighting, principal footage, B-roll capture, audio recording, director oversight, real-time quality checks.
iii.
Post-production (50%)
Rough cut assembly, color grading and correction, sound design and mixing, motion graphics, music licensing, final mastering. The longest phase by design.
iv.
Review & revisions (10%)
Client review round 1, feedback implementation, client review round 2, final approvals, format exports, delivery. Most projects include 2-3 revision rounds.
By project type
Timeline by project type.
Corporate videos — 3–4 weeks
Company profiles, training videos, internal communications. Discovery and script 1 week, pre-production 3-5 days, filming 1-2 days, post-production 1-2 weeks.
Commercial videos — 4–6 weeks
TV commercials, promotional videos, brand campaigns. Concept 1 week, scriptwriting 1 week, pre-production 1 week, production 1-3 days, post 2-3 weeks.
Brand films — 6–8 weeks
Documentary-style storytelling, high production value. Discovery 1-2 weeks, creative development 1-2 weeks, pre-production 1 week, production 2-5 days, post 2-3 weeks.
FAQ
Common questions.
How long does video production take?
Video production typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on project complexity. Social media videos can be completed in 1–2 weeks, corporate videos take 3–4 weeks, and commercials require 4–6 weeks. Brand films and documentaries may take 6–8 weeks or longer.
What takes the longest in video production?
Post-production typically takes the longest, accounting for about 50% of the total timeline. This phase includes editing, color grading, sound design, motion graphics, and revisions. Pre-production planning takes about 25% of the time.
Can video production be done faster?
Yes, rush projects are possible for an additional fee. Factors that speed up production include having a clear brief, quick approvals, flexible scheduling, and a single decision-maker. Complex animations, multiple locations, and stakeholder delays slow things down.
Get started
Get your custom timeline estimate.
Every project is unique. Tell us the goal and we'll provide a detailed timeline specific to your video needs.
Get a timeline estimateHave one specific question? Email hello@werz.ai