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 171 projectsSparkhouse is a corporate video production company praised for its professionalism, timely delivery, and high-quality cinematic outputs. With a focus on video editing, videography, and motion graphics, they consistently receive positive feedback, with approximately 90% of reviewers highlighting their effective project management and responsiveness. Clients appreciate Sparkhouse's ability to align with company values and deliver impactful multimedia production services.
$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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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49New York, NY
Services provided
Founded in 1999, Editions Financial is a small Content Marketing company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England. Their team offers Content Marketing and Event Marketing.
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Undisclosed$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chattanooga, TN
Services provided
Spectruss is an Atlanta, Georgia-based web design agency. They offer Web Design and Graphic 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 61 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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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Knoxville, TN
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Advertising company Big Slate Media is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The team provides Advertising and Email Marketing.
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Undisclosed$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dubuque, IA
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Gigantic Design Co. Is a branding company established in 2015. Their team provides Branding and Web Design.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Birmingham, MI
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Know Advertising, a branding firm, was launched in 2006. The company offers Branding and Digital Strategy, and is small.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Portland, OR
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BOGZA is a small Advertising company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Their services include Advertising and AR/VR development.
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$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Denver, CO
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Digital Strategy company Hey Mr Digital Media was established in 2016. The team focuses on Digital Strategy 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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$50,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Los Angeles, CA
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Say Ok, an Event Marketing company, offers Event Marketing and Advertising. The firm is in Los Angeles, California.
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$1,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Cherry Hill, NJ
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Headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, The Marketing Agency is a web design company. Launched in 2014, the team offers Web Design and Video Production.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 43 projectsBrandefy is a distinguished video production company specializing in multimedia production, video editing, and corporate video production. Nearly 90% of clients highlight their creativity and comprehensive project management, noting that Brandefy excels in delivering high-quality, visually compelling content on time. Their collaborative and adaptable approach consistently meets client needs across various industries.
$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+< $25 / hr10 - 49Coconut Creek, FL
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Vise Tech is a small branding agency. Founded in 2016, the team provides Branding and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Miami, FL
Services provided
Corporate Photography company 1 OAK Studios was launched in 2015. The small team focuses on Corporate Photography and Social Media Marketing.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Henderson, NV
Services provided
Founded in 2003, Nevada Website Design is a SEO company. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Las Vegas, NV
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Founded in 2012, Number29 is a small Las Vegas, Nevada-based branding company. Their services include Branding and Event Marketing.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Washington, DC
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Streetz Media is an Event Marketing company. They are located in Washington, District of Columbia. Their team offers Event Marketing and Corporate Photography.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Atlanta, GA
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AR/VR development company Ninja Multimedia provides AR/VR development and Corporate Photography. They were established in 2009.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Lehi, UT
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ISSIMO - Store Agency is an Advertising company. In Lehi, Utah, the firm was established in 2006. Their team provides Advertising and Marketing Strategy.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Charlotte, NC
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Launched in 2013, Nowsay is a social media marketing company. The team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Video Production.
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$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9New Orleans, LA
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Established in 1994, Storyville-New Orleans, a small branding agency, is based in New Orleans, Louisiana and New Orleans, Louisiana. Their team offers Branding and Broadcast Video.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Sacramento, CA
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Established in 2015, Picnic Productions is a small Sacramento, California-based web design agency. Their services include Web Design and Video Production.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Newport Beach, CA
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Toto Film production is a Content Marketing company founded in 2004. The small team focuses on Content Marketing and Video Production.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Ogden, UT
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Connection Publishing, an Advertising company, is based in Ogden, Utah. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Wayne, IN
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Gearhead Media Group is a web design company. They were launched in 2013 and focus on Web Design and Search Engine Optimization.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Nashville, TN
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Industrial Studios, a branding agency, is based in Nashville, Tennessee. They offer Branding and Content Marketing.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Eugene, OR
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Founded in 2009, AHM Brands is a branding firm. Their services include Branding and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249McAllen, TX
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Headquartered in McAllen, Texas, Digital AIM Media is an Advertising company. Established in 2015, the team focuses on Advertising and Social Media Marketing.
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$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Services provided
Maestra is a Transcription company. They were founded in 2018, and their services include Transcription and Translation.
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Undisclosed$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Sarasota, FL
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Web design agency Rocket Booster is located in Sarasota, Florida and Johnson City, Tennessee. They offer Web Design and Social Media Marketing and were founded in 2015.
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$1,000+$300+ / hr2 - 9Montpelier, VT
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StoryWorkz Creative is a Montpelier, Vermont-based Corporate Photography company. They specialize in Corporate Photography and Marketing Strategy.
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$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Spokane, WA
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Email Marketing company Vexing Media specializes in Email Marketing and Web Design. They were launched in 2009.
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$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Superior, CO
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Wildstory is a branding firm established in 2014. The team focuses on Branding and Graphic Design and is headquartered in Superior, Colorado.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Anaheim, CA
Services provided
Omnidrome is a branding company. They provide Branding and Digital Strategy and are headquartered in Anaheim, California.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hrFreelancerMountlake Terrace, WA
Services provided
See all 1 projectsR2A Media is a video production company specializing in creating compelling video content, including video editing and multimedia production. The reviews highlight their professionalism and effective project management, delivering polished results on time. Clients appreciate the value for cost, with 100% of feedback mentioning satisfaction with pricing and alignment with company values.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Austin, TX
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Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Push ROI, Inc. Is a Marketing Strategy company. They provide Marketing Strategy and Digital Strategy.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Albany, NY
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Overit, a Content Marketing company, is in Albany, New York. Launched in 1993, the team specializes in Content Marketing and Pay Per Click.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Mobile, AL
Services provided
Established in 2016, Craftshow Digital is an Advertising company. Headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, the team focuses on Advertising and Marketing Strategy.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Los Gatos, CA
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AssistaNova is a branding firm. Launched in 2022, the team offers Branding and Marketing Strategy. The firm is headquartered in Los Gatos, California.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9McKinney, TX
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Brand Beast, a branding firm, is based in McKinney, Texas. The team specializes in Branding and Packaging Design.
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$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Milwaukie, OR
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Lambda Lion Group, a branding company, was founded in 2017. They specializes in Branding and Corporate Photography.
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$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Overland Park, KS
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DW Creative Marketing is a media planning and buying company founded in 2015. Their team focuses on Media Planning & Buying and Digital Strategy.
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$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Decatur, GA
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Iruna Digital is a SEO agency. They offer Search Engine Optimization and Web Design and are based in Decatur, Georgia.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hrFreelancerRiviera Beach, FL
Services provided
See all 1 projectsVG Creations LLC is a multimedia production company specializing in videography, cinematography, and video editing. They are highly regarded, with 100% positive feedback emphasizing their ability to deliver cinematic masterpieces and effective commercial content. Clients commend their planning, communication, and impressive video editing talent, contributing to a 2.4 ROAS improvement for projects.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Austin, TX
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See all 1 projectsThe Web Coders offers mobile app development services characterized by dynamic functionality and robust features. Reviews highlight their technical expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work, contributing to increased customer engagement and satisfaction. The company is praised for its project management and responsiveness, though more frequent progress updates were suggested for improvement. Overall, The Web Coders consistently surpassed client expectations.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Morristown, NJ
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Smith Design is a branding firm. They are headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and their services include Branding and Digital Strategy.
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$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Boston, MA
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Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Bunker Hill Media is a small SEO company. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Columbia, MD
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Mays & Associates, Inc. Is an Email Marketing company. The Columbia, Maryland-based team focuses on Email Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Kensington, MD
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Bright Light Media is a branding company. Located in Kensington, Maryland, the agency was launched in 2011. Their team offers Branding and Web Design.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Atlanta, GA
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Beam Imagination is a Content Marketing company. The team offers Content Marketing and Video Production and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9San Francisco, CA
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BKW Partners is a video production company. Located in San Francisco, California, the firm was launched in 2016. Their services include Video Production and Web Design.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49San Francisco, CA
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Avocados and Coconuts, a small video production agency, is in San Francisco, California. The team specializes in Video Production and Content Marketing.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Boston, MA
Services provided
Finish Post is a Broadcast Video and video production company. They are based in Boston, Massachusetts. Their team specializes in Broadcast Video and Video Production.
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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
37.5/40.018/20 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 -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Santa Monica, CA
Ability to deliver
36.7/40.018/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.7/10 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+Undisclosed10 - 49Somerville, MA
Ability to deliver
36.3/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 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 -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Miami, FL
Ability to deliver
36.2/40.016.6/20 Reviews9.7/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
36/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$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 -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.017.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Video Production35% Other -
$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+Undisclosed10 - 49Orlando, FL
Ability to deliver
37.4/40.018.4/20 Reviews9.3/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Video Production50% 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 -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
95% Video Production5% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Brooklyn, NY
Ability to deliver
35.6/40.017.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.8/10 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 -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Inglewood, CA
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.015.8/20 Reviews9.8/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Video Production20% Other -
$25,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.016.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
35.4/40.017.8/20 Reviews9/10 Clients & Experience8.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Video Production -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Covina, CA
Ability to deliver
35.4/40.016/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Video Production25% Other -
$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
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.