How to Choose a Video Production Company in NYC
You've got a shoot coming up — a conference at a Midtown venue, a brand film, a wedding, a batch of social cut-downs — and a browser full of tabs. Every studio's reel looks polished, every site promises "cinematic" work, and the prices are all over the map. Comparing video production companies in NYC is hard precisely because everyone sounds the same until you're on set.
This is the checklist we'd use ourselves. It walks through what actually separates a reliable crew from a risky one: portfolio depth, real reviews, clear deliverables, honest quotes, and the warning signs worth walking away from. By the end you'll know exactly what to ask before you sign.
What to look for in a NYC production company
The best video production companies in NYC share a few traits that have nothing to do with marketing copy. Start with these:
- Relevant work, not just pretty work. A gorgeous wedding reel tells you little about how a crew handles a live conference. Look for examples close to your project type and setting.
- Real NYC experience. Shooting in the city means navigating load-ins, building security, elevator timing, tight rooms and changing light. A crew that has worked at places like Barclays Center, S&P Global, NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square and Pfizer headquarters has solved those problems before.
- Owned, professional gear. Ask what they shoot on. SHMONG runs 4K cinema cameras (RED and Sony FX series), FAA-licensed drone pilots, pro lighting, wireless lavs and gimbals — not rentals scrambled together per job.
- Clear communication. How fast they reply to your first email is a preview of the whole engagement.
A company founded in 2003 with 4,500+ projects delivered has seen the edge cases. That track record is the first filter.
Portfolio, reviews and reliability checks
A portfolio shows what a company can do; reviews show what it reliably does. Check both.
When you watch a reel, look past the hero shots. Is the audio clean? Are interviews lit well, or washed out? Do multi-camera events cut smoothly between angles? Those are the details that go wrong on the day and can't be fixed in the edit. SHMONG's work spans corporate events, brand films, weddings, music videos, podcasts and real estate — including runway coverage at Harlem Fashion Week and brands including Nike, MAC and LinkedIn.
Then verify reliability through reviews. Volume and recency matter: SHMONG holds a 4.9-star rating from 170+ Google reviews, and the reviews repeatedly mention the two things clients worry about most — speed and professionalism. Read them for patterns, not just stars. A dozen reviews praising "fast delivery" means more than one five-star line.
Finally, ask for references or a case study near your project type. A company proud of its reliability will share one without hesitation.
Questions to ask about deliverables and revisions
Most disputes come from fuzzy deliverables, not bad footage. Before you book, get these answers in writing:
- Do I get the raw footage? Many companies keep it or charge extra. SHMONG includes all raw footage at no charge on every production.
- What's the turnaround? Ask for both raw and finished timelines. SHMONG delivers raw footage in 24–48 hours and finished edits in 5–7 business days, with a 48-hour rush available.
- How many revision rounds are included? SHMONG includes two rounds on edits — enough to get it right, defined up front so there's no surprise bill.
- What exactly am I receiving? Number of final videos, run times, aspect ratios (a 16:9 recap and vertical social cuts are different deliverables), music licensing and file formats.
- Who owns the final files? Confirm usage rights for the platforms you plan to post on.
If a company can't answer these quickly and specifically, that's information too. Clear deliverables are a sign of a crew that has done this hundreds of times.
Understanding quotes and deposits
Pricing is where comparison-stage buyers get nervous, because the range is enormous. Typical NYC rates swing widely by crew size, shoot length, gear and edit complexity — a single-camera interview and a multi-camera gala are not in the same universe. That's why SHMONG doesn't publish a rate card: every project is quoted on its own terms.
Here's how the SHMONG structure works, so you can compare apples to apples:
| Item | How SHMONG handles it |
|---|---|
| Quote | Written quote within 24 hours (usually same day) |
| Minimum booking | $1,000, with a 2-hour minimum on site |
| Deposit | 50% locks your date |
| If you cancel | Deposit is non-refundable |
| If SHMONG cancels or errs | 100% back |
| Raw footage | Always included |
When you compare quotes, make sure you're comparing the same scope: hours on site, number of final videos, raw footage, and revision rounds. A low number that excludes your raw files and extra edits often ends up higher than a clear, all-in quote.
Red flags to avoid
A few warning signs reliably predict a difficult engagement. Walk away — or at least slow down — if you see these:
- No written quote or contract. Verbal pricing changes. Get scope, deliverables and deposit terms on paper before you pay anything.
- Vague turnaround. "A few weeks" with no firm date usually means you're not a priority. Insist on specific delivery timelines.
- They won't give you raw footage. It's your event. Withholding raw files is a way to lock you in.
- A reel with no comparable work. If every sample is a wedding and you need a conference, you're the test case.
- Thin or ancient reviews. A handful of reviews from years ago doesn't tell you how they operate now.
- Pressure to pay in full up front. A 50% deposit to lock the date is normal; demanding 100% before a single frame is shot is not.
None of these are about talent. They're about how a company treats clients when things get busy — which is exactly when you need them to be steady.
“Best video production company we've worked with. They delivered professional quality in 5 days what other agencies promised in a month.”
— Collin Devon Williams, CDE Events (client since 2016), Google review
Why clients choose SHMONG
SHMONG TV is a Brooklyn video production company based in DUMBO, founded in 2003, with 4,500+ projects and 500+ weddings delivered across all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester and northern New Jersey. We've filmed everything from the a16z Cultural Leadership Fund's "Dinner on the Bluffs" on Martha's Vineyard to the NY Black MBA Women's Conference at S&P Global, a MAC Cosmetics in-store experience in SoHo, and Harlem Fashion Week runway coverage.
What clients tell us matters most is simple: we show up on time, communicate clearly, include every bit of raw footage, and deliver fast — raw in 24–48 hours, finished edits in 5–7 business days. The pricing is transparent and per project, so you know exactly what you're getting before you commit.
Ready to compare for yourself? Tell us your date, location and what you need, and we'll send a written quote within 24 hours — email contact@shmong.tv or use our contact form.
Planning a shoot in New York?
Tell us the date, the location and what you need delivered. You'll get a written quote within 24 hours — usually the same day. All raw footage is included with every production.
Get a free quoteFrequently asked questions
How do I compare quotes from different NYC video production companies?
Match the scope before you match the price: hours on site, number of final videos, whether raw footage is included, and how many revision rounds you get. SHMONG sends a written quote within 24 hours with a $1,000 minimum and raw footage always included, so you can line it up cleanly against others.
Do video production companies in NYC give you the raw footage?
Many don't, or they charge extra for it. SHMONG includes all raw footage at no charge on every production. Always confirm this in writing before you book, since it's your event and your content.
How fast should I expect my video back?
Turnaround varies, so ask for specific dates, not "a few weeks." SHMONG delivers raw footage in 24–48 hours and finished edits in 5–7 business days, with a 48-hour rush available when you need it sooner.
What's a normal deposit for a video shoot in NYC?
A partial deposit to reserve the date is standard. SHMONG takes a 50% deposit to lock your date; it's non-refundable if you cancel, but you get 100% back if SHMONG cancels or makes an error. Be wary of anyone demanding full payment before the shoot.
How much does video production in NYC cost?
Typical NYC rates vary widely by crew size, shoot length, gear and edit complexity, so there's no single number. That's why SHMONG quotes per project rather than publishing a rate card, with a $1,000 minimum booking and a 2-hour minimum on site.
What areas does SHMONG cover?
SHMONG is based in DUMBO, Brooklyn and serves all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester and northern New Jersey, and travels nationally and internationally for select projects. Share your location in your quote request so we can plan logistics.