How it works
Video production with 7 Hills Productions runs in nine steps, from a discovery call to final delivery. Most corporate and testimonial projects take three to four weeks from kickoff to final video: pre-production and scheduling, one production day, then a first cut 15 to 20 days after filming with three rounds of revisions included. Projects start at $3,500 for a single testimonial filmed on a half day, and every quote is itemized into four lines (pre-production, production day, editing and add-ons) before any crew is booked.
Process and rates current as of September 2026
Three phases, nine steps
The 9 steps of our video production process
Every project follows the same nine steps, whether it is one testimonial or a multi-day campaign. Steps 1 to 5 are planning, step 6 is the filming day, and steps 7 to 9 turn the footage into finished, delivered assets.
Discovery & strategy
We start with a brief, focused call to understand your business goals, target audience and the core message you need to convey.
Plan · 20–30 minutes
Custom proposal
We deliver a tailored production plan with the scope of work, the deliverables and a transparent, itemized budget across four lines.
Plan · within a few days
Creative kickoff
Once approved, our creative directors align with your stakeholders to lock the visual tone, branding guidelines and narrative direction.
Plan · one session
Scripting & storyboards
We do the heavy lifting on scripts, interview questions and visual storyboards, so the messaging is right before a single camera rolls.
Plan · runs with scheduling
Logistics & prep
We secure locations, cast talent and coordinate scheduling. We manage the entire pre-production puzzle so your team does not have to.
Plan · runs with scripting
Cinematic production
Using Sony Cinema cameras, our crew captures premium footage with a professional, quiet footprint that respects your working space.
Film · half day or one 10-hour day
The edit & graphics
We build the narrative, then layer in custom motion graphics, premium color grading, a sound mix and licensed music.
Finish · first cut in 15–20 days
Collaborative review
We share cuts in Frame.io so your team can leave precise, timestamped feedback in one place. Three rounds are included.
Finish · 3 rounds included
Final delivery
You receive a complete suite of optimized, high-resolution assets including vertical cutdowns, ready for your website and social channels.
Finish · you own the masters
Timing
How long does video production take?
Most corporate and testimonial projects take three to four weeks from kickoff to final delivery. Filming itself is a half day or a single 10-hour production day for the majority of projects. The first cut arrives 15 to 20 days after filming, and three rounds of revisions are included before final files are delivered. Larger brand films, commercials and multi-location campaigns take longer because they add filming days, locations and approvals.
| Stage | Typical timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery and proposal | Before the project | A short call, then a written plan with an itemized, flat-rate budget |
| Creative kickoff, scripting and prep | Alongside scheduling | Tone and direction locked, scripts and storyboards written, locations, talent and crew booked |
| Filming | Half day, or one 10-hour day | Most corporate, testimonial, training and product projects. Brand films, commercials, events and recruitment start at a full day |
| First cut | 15 to 20 days after filming | Edit, color, sound mix, licensed music, captions and titles |
| Revisions | 3 rounds, included | Your notes applied to the master and the social cutdowns |
| Final delivery | After the final round | Master files plus social cutdowns in 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1. You own the masters and graded footage |
Rush timelines are possible for launches, events and time-sensitive announcements. A 40% deposit confirms production and locks your dates, and the balance is due on final delivery.
Budget
How much does video production cost?
Every 7 Hills project is built from the same four parts, so an estimate is always four lines rather than one number. Cost depends on the concept, crew size, number of filming days, locations, interviews, animation, editing and final deliverables, and each of those lands in one of the four parts below.
| Part of every project | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production | From $500 | Planning, scheduling, interview questions or concept development |
| Production day | $6,000 to $8,000 | Full crew, cinema cameras, lighting and sound, 10 hours |
| Half day | $3,500 | Interview-style work within 50 miles of Irvine |
| Editing | $2,000 to $4,000 per video | Master edit with captions, color, licensed music and social cutdowns |
| Add-ons | Quoted on top | Talent, hair and makeup, studio or location rental, photography, travel |
A single testimonial filmed and produced on a half day starts at $3,500. See the full video production pricing page for the range on every video type, or build your own number with the video budget estimator.
What we need from you
- A short discovery call and your business goal
- Target audience, timeline and where the video will run
- Brand guidelines, logos and fonts if you have them
- Names of the people you want on camera
- Access to the location on the filming day
- Consolidated feedback in Frame.io, one round at a time
What we handle
- Scripts, interview questions and storyboards
- Locations, permits, casting and scheduling
- Crew, cinema cameras, lighting and audio
- Color, sound mix, licensed music, captions and titles
- Social cutdowns in 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1
- Delivery of masters and graded footage you own
Where we work
Straight answers before you start
Who is this process for?
Marketing leads, founders and comms teams who need finished video and do not have time to project-manage an agency. The nine steps exist so your team reviews rather than coordinates.
Where do you film?
Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego are our home bases and travel within them is included. We also film across California and throughout the United States, with travel and lodging quoted as separate lines.
Can several videos come from one day?
Yes, and it is the cheapest way to scale. A production day is planned to capture multiple pieces of content, and editing is priced per finished video, so four testimonials filmed in one day means one day plus four edits.
Cost by video type
Explore the video cost guides
Choose the video type closest to your project for the pricing factors, typical budget ranges and what changes the number.
Terms
What is true on every project
Locks your dates. Balance on final delivery.
To first cut after filming.
Included on every edit.
Setup and breakdown included.
Four separate lines, no surprises.
Masters and graded footage are yours.
Questions we get before every project
Video production process FAQ
How does the video production process work?
7 Hills Productions runs a nine step process: discovery and strategy, a custom proposal, creative kickoff, scripting and storyboards, logistics and prep, cinematic production, the edit and graphics, collaborative review, and final delivery. Most corporate and testimonial projects move from kickoff to final video in three to four weeks.
How long does a video take from kickoff to delivery?
Most corporate and testimonial projects take three to four weeks. Filming is a half day or one 10 hour production day, the first cut arrives 15 to 20 days after filming, and three rounds of revisions are included before final delivery. Brand films, commercials and multi location campaigns take longer.
How much does the process cost?
Projects start at $3,500 for a single testimonial filmed on a half day. Every estimate is itemized into four lines: pre-production from $500, a production day at $6,000 to $8,000 or a half day at $3,500, editing at $2,000 to $4,000 per finished video, and any add-ons quoted on top.
What do you need from our team?
A short discovery call, your business goal, target audience and timeline, plus any brand guidelines. After that 7 Hills handles scripting, storyboards, locations, talent, scheduling and crew, so your team reviews rather than coordinates.
How many rounds of revisions are included?
Three rounds of revisions are included on every edit. Each finished video also includes captions, branded titles, licensed music, color correction, a sound mix and social cutdowns in 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1.
When do we pay?
A 40% deposit confirms production and locks your filming dates. The balance is due on final delivery. Credit card payments carry a 3% processing fee, and you own the master files and graded footage.
Do you film outside Southern California?
Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego are our home bases and travel within them is included. 7 Hills also films across California and throughout the United States, with travel, lodging and any additional local crew quoted as separate lines.
Timings are typical rather than guaranteed and are confirmed in your production schedule. Prices are starting points, confirmed in an itemized estimate after a short discovery call. Credit-card payments carry a 3% processing fee. 7 Hills Productions is a women-owned video production company based in Irvine, California, filming across California and the United States.
