Top Video Production Companies in the United States
Video has become the default format for almost every marketing surface — paid social, YouTube, sales enablement, brand films, product launches, and increasingly, AI-driven personalization. The right U.S. video production company brings the strategic instinct to know what kind of video the work actually needs (a high-production brand film versus a fast, native-feeling social cut versus a polished explainer) along with the production capacity to ship it on time.
The best firms also bring distribution thinking — building shoots that yield 30 cuts and crops instead of one finished video, because that's what modern channel mixes demand. Clutch helps you compare top U.S. video production companies through verified client reviews, portfolios, and pricing data. Filter by budget, industry, and video type, and explore related directories:
• Top Video Production Companies
• Video Production Companies in Los Angeles
• Video Production Companies in Chicago
• Video Production Companies in New York
• U.S. Video Production Companies for Advertising & Marketing
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 172 projectsSparkhouse is a distinguished multimedia production company specializing in videography, video editing, and corporate video production. With an impressive 100% positive feedback from clients, Sparkhouse is praised for its effective communication, timely delivery, and high-quality output. Approximately 30% of reviews commend their seamless project management, and around 20% highlight their capacity to produce cinematic and visually appealing video content.
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 17 projectsBLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS is a multimedia production company specializing in videography, video editing, and corporate video production, offering comprehensive services from cinematography to post-production. With a 100% positive feedback rate, clients consistently praise their flexibility, professionalism, and timely delivery, emphasizing their ability to accommodate changes and provide high-quality visual content suited for various digital and social media platforms.
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 18 projectsGardner Productions Group is a professional multimedia production company excelling in Video Production, Film Editing and Production, and Corporate Video Production. With 100% positive feedback, clients consistently praise their high-quality assets, timely delivery, and exceptional project management. The company's strong culture fit and adaptability have made them a preferred choice for creative commercials and brand awareness initiatives.
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$5,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Falls Church, VA
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Launched in 2022, EVOlVE is a midsize Falls Church, Virginia-based web design company. Their team specializes in Web Design and Custom Software Development.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Fort Walton Beach, FL
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Founded in 2017, The Logo Design Corp is a branding firm. The team specializes in Branding and Web Design.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 12 projectsThink Branded Media is a video production company that excels in creating high-quality multimedia content, including corporate video production, cinematography, and video editing. Overall, 100% of reviewers praised their creativity, professionalism, and efficient project management. Notably, 70% mentioned their ability to deliver impressive results under tight deadlines, and 60% highlighted their collaborative approach and adaptability to client needs.
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 4 projectsTakt/Studios is a multimedia production firm specializing in video production, videography, and video editing services. With a 100% positive feedback rate from reviewers, the company is praised for its attention to detail, creative excellence, and strong project management. Clients commend Takt/Studios for delivering high-quality, impactful video content that aligns with their brand identity and communication goals.
$25,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 62 projectsCasual is a multimedia production company specializing in video production services, including motion graphics, videography, and post-production. They are recognized for their creativity, professionalism, and ability to produce high-quality deliverables across various industries, with 100% of reviews highlighting their exceptional project management and flexibility. Clients consistently praise their culture fit, responsiveness, and the impressive quality of the final products.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Los Angeles, CA
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Midsize branding agency Website Affinity, is in Los Angeles, California. Their services include Branding and Marketing Strategy.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Oakland, CA
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Branding company Pace Digitals offers Branding and Social Media Marketing. They were launched in 2016.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Columbus, OH
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L!VE is an Event Management company established in 1974. In Columbus, Ohio and Cincinnati, Ohio, the team offers Event Management and Video Production.
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$5,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Los Angeles, CA
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Swipecreatif is a branding agency established in 2022. The team provides Branding and Social Media Marketing and is located in Los Angeles, California and Los Angeles, California.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Seattle, WA
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Touch Worldwide is an Event Management company. They are in Seattle, Washington, and their services include Event Management and Video Production.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 10 projects5 Pound Media is a multimedia production company specializing in video production services, including videography, video editing, and corporate video production. Across their reviews, 5 Pound Media consistently receives positive feedback, with approximately 95% of clients praising their creativity, professionalism, and efficient project management. Clients frequently highlight their ability to deliver high-quality video content on time and within budget, with 60% mentioning their adaptability and effective communication.
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 52 projectsOrigin Films is a distinguished multimedia production company specializing in videography, film production, and corporate video production. They consistently receive positive feedback, with 100% of reviews highlighting their exceptional project management and creative storytelling capabilities. Notably, 85% of reviewers commend their ability to enhance brand visibility and engagement through visually compelling video content. Overall, clients appreciate their professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail.
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 16 projectsSIERRA Production House is a multimedia production company specializing in video production, cinematography, and post-production services. Reviews show an 85% positive feedback rating, highlighting effective project management, clear communication, and cultural fit, with 80% of reviewers noting their ability to deliver high-quality video content on time. Some feedback suggests room for improvement in proactivity and client relationship authenticity.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hrFreelancerOrange, CA
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Clicmo Co is a Content Marketing company established in 2023. The firm specializes in Content Marketing and Video Production.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249New York, NY
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Marketing Strategy company The Charles Group was founded in 2011. The agency focuses on Marketing Strategy and Media Planning & Buying.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 43 projectsBrandefy is a multimedia production company renowned for its expertise in video production, videography, and corporate video production. Clients commend their professionalism, creativity, and adaptive approach, with 100% of reviews highlighting their ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality results. Their collaborative approach and attention to detail are frequently praised, making them a trusted partner for diverse video production needs.
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 14 projectsZero One Digital Media is a video production company specializing in multimedia production, video editing, and corporate video production. The company is consistently praised for its professionalism and high-quality work, with 100% of reviewers highlighting its collaborative and responsive approach. Their expertise in video production, from cinematography to post-production services, is frequently commended, making them a trusted partner for various complex projects.
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 35 projectsFeel Right Inc. is a distinguished video production company specializing in Corporate Video Production, Film Editing and Production, and Video Post Production services. With a 100% positive feedback rate, clients commend their high-quality outputs and proactive project management. Remarkable strengths include creative script development and professional cinematography, with 90% of reviewers highlighting their outstanding communication and collaboration abilities.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Grand Prairie, TX
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Established in 2014, Alpha Book Publisher is a Content Writing Services company. The midsize team focuses on Content Writing Services and Content Marketing.
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$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Houston, TX
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Digitech Studio Inc is a web design agency. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the agency was launched in 2016. Their team focuses on Web Design and Branding.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 15 projectsMinifridge Media is a multimedia production company specializing in video production, videography, and video editing services. Clients consistently praise their professionalism, creativity, and project management skills, resulting in a 100% positive feedback rate across reviews. Many reviews highlight their ability to manage complex shoots efficiently and the strong client satisfaction with the final video outputs.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10,000+Burbank, CA
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Headquartered in Carmanhall And Leopardstown, Ireland and Burbank, California, Keywords Studios is a large video production agency. The team provides Video Production and Mobile App Development.
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$5,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Westwood, MA
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Midsize branding company ChainIn Design, is in Westwood, Massachusetts. Their services include Branding and Web Design.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249New York, NY
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Camden Book Publishers is an Audio Production company launched in 2018. Their services include Audio Production and Print Design.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Philadelphia, PA
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Elite Website Solutions is a midsize Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based web design company. Their services include Web Design and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Austin, TX
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Web Analyze Fix is a social media marketing agency. The Austin, Texas-based agency was founded in 2021. Their team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Content Marketing.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Rochester, NY
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Big Slide Creative is a video production company. Their small team is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Their services include Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Fort Lauderdale, FL
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See all 1 projectsLime Digital Agency specializes in video production with a focus on creating videos for lead acquisition. Their work is characterized by strategic and creative thinking, delivering exceptional quality within limited budgets. According to client reviews, 100% of the feedback highlights their effective collaboration and timely execution.
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Undisclosed$25 - $49 / hrFreelancerHouston, TX
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E6media is a small web design company located in Houston, Texas. The team specializes in Web Design and Graphic Design.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Los Angeles, CA
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Launched in 2008, Jolly Road Productions, Inc. Is a Market Research company. In Los Angeles, California, the team specializes in Market Research and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Providence, RI
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ATR Treehouse is a Lighting Design company. They provide Lighting Design and Video Production and were established in 1987. The firm is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Buffalo, NY
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Crosswater Digital Media is a small Mobile & App Marketing company located in Buffalo, New York. Their services include Mobile & App Marketing and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Henderson, NV
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Launched in 2013, L37 Creative, a small Event Marketing company, is located in Henderson, Nevada and Chicago, Illinois. Their team specializes in Event Marketing and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Las Vegas, NV
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Imprint Group is a small Event Marketing company. Founded in 1969, the team provides Event Marketing and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Cheyenne, WY
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Camera Head Media is a Cheyenne, Wyoming-based branding firm. They provide Branding and Video Production and were launched in 2008.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Alexandria, VA
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Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Wilson Grand Communications is a small media planning & buying agency. Their services include Media Planning & Buying and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Cambridge, MA
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Grapevine Village is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based social media marketing agency. The team offers Social Media Marketing and Video Production.
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Undisclosed$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Irvine, CA
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Based in Irvine, California, Podcast Lane is a video production company. The team focuses on Video Production and Social Media Marketing.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49McLean, VA
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VanGogh Imaging is a video production company. Their small team is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Their services include Video Production and Custom Software Development.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Los Angeles, CA
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Tigertail Pictures is a video production company. Their team is in Los Angeles, California. The firm focuses on Video Production and Corporate Photography.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Miami, FL
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Founded in 2005, MLG International is a video production agency. Located in Miami, Florida and Buenos Aires, Argentina, the team provides Video Production and Translation.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Westwood, KS
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KJO Media, a small video production company, is located in Westwood, Kansas. The team offers Video Production and Corporate Photography.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Indianapolis, IN
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Video production company EDGE Media Studios was launched in 2016. The agency focuses on Video Production and Audio Production, and is small.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Tulsa, OK
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TES Productions is a video production agency. They are in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have small team. They specialize in Video Production and Audio Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Eagan, MN
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Creative Studio Productions is a small Eagan, Minnesota-based graphic design company. Their services include Graphic Design and Video Production.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Atlanta, GA
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Hylton Media Group is a video production agency. Their team is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm offers Video Production.
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$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Bowling Green, KY
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Established in 2008, Yellowberri, a small video production company, is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Their services include Video Production and Advertising.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9New York, NY
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Luxurious Animals, a video production agency, was founded in 2008. The company provides Video Production and Advertising, and is small.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Los Angeles, CA
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Sandwich Video is a video production company. Their small team is located in Los Angeles, California and offers Video Production and Advertising. The company was launched in 2009.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Austin, TX
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StoryCraft is a video production agency based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2014, the team provides Video Production and Advertising.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9New York, NY
Services provided
QUE Productions is a video production agency. Established in 1998, the team provides Video Production and Branding.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Boston, MA
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Sweet Rickey is a video production company. Their small team is in Boston, Massachusetts. Their services include Video Production and Advertising.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
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Vanilla Video is a video production company. The Chicago, Illinois-based team focuses on Video Production and Branding.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
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Founded in 2011, Lightswitch is a video production company. The team offers Video Production and Broadcast Video.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Houston, TX
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Collective Creative Labs is a Broadcast Video company launched in 2015. The team focuses on Broadcast Video and Video Production and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Cleveland, OH
Services provided
Video production agency PurpleFilms is based in Cleveland, Ohio. They provide Video Production and Advertising and were established in 2011.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Irvine, CA
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Lindero Edutainment is an Irvine, California-based AR/VR development company. They specialize in AR/VR development and Video Production and were established in 2015.
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$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Los Angeles, CA
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Headquartered in Los Angeles, California and Brooklyn, New York, Catovia is an AR/VR development company. Founded in 2015, the team offers AR/VR development and Video Production.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Minneapolis, MN
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Established in 2014, Visual VR is an AR/VR development company. The small team focuses on AR/VR development and Video Production.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Glendale, CA
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Established in 2014, Positron is an AR/VR development company. The firm offers AR/VR development and Video Production, and is small.
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List of the Top 15 United States Video Production Companies
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Costa Mesa, CA
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$25,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Brooklyn, NY
Ability to deliver
38.3/40.018.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9New York, NY
Ability to deliver
37.4/40.017.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Video Production25% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Miami, FL
Ability to deliver
37/40.017.4/20 Reviews9.7/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Oakland, CA
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.018/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
95% Video Production5% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Walnut Creek, CA
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Video Production20% Other -
$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
36.4/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Video Production20% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Encinitas, CA
Ability to deliver
36.4/40.017.2/20 Reviews9.8/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Huntington Beach, CA
Ability to deliver
36.3/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Somerville, MA
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Santa Monica, CA
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
95% Video Production5% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Irvine, CA
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Bethesda, MD
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.019.2/20 Reviews9.9/10 Clients & Experience6.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Video Production25% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.016.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Video Production20% Other -
$50,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.017/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
85% Video Production15% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Baltimore, MD
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$1,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Englewood, CO
Ability to deliver
35.6/40.016.6/20 Reviews9.3/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Video Production35% Other -
$5,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Inglewood, CA
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.015.8/20 Reviews9.8/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
85% Video Production15% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Brooklyn, NY
Ability to deliver
35.4/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Sausalito, CA
Ability to deliver
35.3/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$25,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
35.3/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Orlando, FL
Ability to deliver
37/40.018/20 Reviews9.3/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Video Production50% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Covina, CA
Ability to deliver
35.2/40.015.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Video Production25% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Austin, TX
Ability to deliver
35.2/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production
Latest Video Production Articles
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U.S. Video Production FAQs
A full video production engagement typically covers some or all of:
- Pre-production — concept development, scriptwriting, storyboarding, location scouting, casting, scheduling
- Production — the shoot itself; directors, DPs, camera and lighting crews, sound, talent direction
- Post-production — editing, color grading, sound design, motion graphics, VFX
- Animation and motion design — 2D/3D animation, explainer videos, motion graphics for non-live-action content
- Distribution-ready cuts — producing the multiple aspect ratios and durations modern channels demand
Some firms cover end-to-end; others specialize in a phase (production-only houses that shoot for agencies, post-only houses that finish what others shoot, animation-only studios). Make sure to match firm scope to whether you need a one-stop partner or a specialist plugging into your existing workflow.
Based on data gathered by our team through client reviews and case studies, the typical timeline for video production goes for:
- Social-first content (creator-style or simple shoots): 2–4 weeks
- Explainer or animated video (60–120 seconds): 4–8 weeks
- Brand film or commercial (high production value, single deliverable): 6–12 weeks
- Campaign with multiple deliverables (hero film + cutdowns + social): 10–16 weeks
- Documentary or content series: 3–9 months
The slowest part is usually pre-production (concept approvals, talent booking, location coordination). Build in stakeholder review windows realistically — last-minute creative pivots after the shoot are extremely expensive.
Based on Clutch pricing data, video production has unusually wide pricing variance because budgets reflect production value as much as deliverable count:
- Social-first or creator-style content: $2,500 – $15,000 per finished piece
- Explainer videos (animated, 60–120 seconds): $10,000 – $50,000
- Brand films and commercials (live-action, mid-tier production): $25,000 – $150,000
- High-production commercials (national-scale, premium talent and locations): $150,000 – $1M+
- Ongoing content retainers: typically $10,000 – $75,000 pet month for steady production cadence
Some pricing fundamentals to keep in mind are location and talent; they drive costs more than equipment. Additionally, post-production scales with creative complexity, not just minute count, and revisions outside the agreed scope are where budgets balloon.
Filter your options on these three factors — portfolio match for the specific kind of video you need, production scale appropriate to your budget, and creative chemistry with the director.
- Portfolio match matters because video production firms are stylistic; a documentary-style firm shoots differently than a commercial firm or an animation studio.
- Production scale appropriate to budget means pairing a $40,000 explainer with a $40,000-tier production house, not a national-commercial shop slumming.
- Creative chemistry with the director is the single biggest predictor of whether the final cut feels right; the director is the creative author, and you'll be in working sessions with them for weeks.
Also ask: how the firm handles revisions and scope changes, what's included versus billed separately (music licensing, talent buyouts, location fees), and what the rights structure looks like for finished work.
- One-size-fits-all reels. A firm whose work all looks identical either has a strong stylistic preference (which may not fit you) or doesn't actually customize to client needs.
- Vague pricing without scope clarity. "It depends" is fine as a starting answer; "we'll figure it out as we go" is a recipe for budget surprises. Reputable firms can quote against a tight scope.
- Reluctance to discuss music licensing and talent buyouts. These are common cost surprises. Firms that gloss over them in pitch are setting up later invoices.
- No discussion of cutdowns and aspect ratios. Modern video work yields multiple deliverables from one shoot. A firm that pitches a single 90-second hero with no cutdown plan is missing the era.
- Director or DP swap mid-project. Reputable firms confirm specific creative leads before shooting; bait-and-switch on the named director is a bad sign.
Don’t jump the gun after simply viewing their portfolios. Make sure to carefully assess their capabilities and track record to avoid any of these warning signs.