Music Video Production in NYC: Cost & How to Hire
You have a track, a release date, and a vision for how the video should look. What you don't have yet is a straight answer on what music video production in NYC actually costs, who to hire, and how fast you can get the finished cut back. This guide fixes that.
SHMONG TV has produced video across New York since 2003 — concerts, nightlife, brand films and more, shot on cinema cameras and edited in-house. Below we break down realistic budgets, what a one-day shoot gets you versus a full concept, and exactly how to book. Every SHMONG project comes with a written quote within 24 hours, all raw footage included, and a $1,000 minimum.
What music video production costs in NYC
There is no single price for a music video, because the work scales with the idea. A single-artist performance video shot in one location costs a fraction of a multi-location concept piece with a full crew, lighting package and a drone. Typical NYC rates fall into rough tiers:
| Type | What's involved | Typical NYC rate |
|---|---|---|
| Performance / lyric video | One location, small crew, half or full day | Lower end |
| Concept video | Multiple setups, lighting, styling, gimbal work | Mid range |
| Full production | Multiple locations, larger crew, drone, permits | Higher end |
SHMONG doesn't publish a rate card because no two videos are the same. We quote per project: tell us the song, the concept, the number of locations and your delivery date, and you get a written quote within 24 hours — usually the same day. The minimum booking is $1,000, with a two-hour minimum on site. A 50% deposit locks your shoot date.
One-day shoots vs full concepts
Most artists who reach out want to know whether they can get a strong video in a single day. Often, yes. A focused one-day shoot works well when you have one or two locations, a clear performance idea, and a wardrobe that's ready to go. It keeps crew hours down and moves your budget toward the camera and edit rather than logistics.
A full concept is the right call when the song tells a story, when you need multiple looks and locations, or when the video is central to a label rollout. That means more pre-production: a shot list, a schedule, location scouting and sometimes a second shooting day.
- One-day shoot: single or paired location, tight schedule, fast turnaround, best value.
- Full concept: storyboarded, multi-location, larger crew, more setups, more room for narrative.
Not sure which you need? Send us the track and a few references. We'll tell you honestly what fits your budget and what can wait for the next release.
Locations, permits and crew
New York is the location. SHMONG is based in DUMBO, steps from Brooklyn Bridge Park, and we've filmed across all five boroughs — from Barclays Center in Brooklyn to Times Square and Harlem. Rooftops, warehouses, parks and stoops all read as unmistakably NYC on camera, and each comes with its own access and permit rules.
Filming on public property or streets in New York generally requires a permit from the city's film office, and some interior locations require insurance and a fee. We handle the planning so a shoot doesn't get shut down mid-take. For crew, a lean music video usually runs a director, a camera operator, and someone on lighting and grip; bigger concepts add a gaffer, an assistant, and a drone pilot.
- Our drones fly with FAA-licensed pilots — required for legal aerial work in the city.
- We serve all five boroughs plus Long Island, Westchester and northern New Jersey, and travel for select projects.
- Wireless lavs and pro lighting travel with the crew, so an interior location doesn't limit the look.
Gear that makes a video look cinematic
The difference between a video that looks like a phone clip and one that looks like a release comes down to sensor, glass and lighting. SHMONG shoots on 4K cinema cameras — RED and the Sony FX series — the same bodies used on commercial and concert work. That gives you shallow depth of field, clean low-light performance for night and club scenes, and footage that holds up in color grading.
Beyond the camera, the kit that shapes the look:
- Gimbals for smooth moving shots and one-take performance runs.
- Pro lighting to control mood — hard and moody for a night scene, soft and clean for performance.
- DJI drones with licensed pilots for skyline and rooftop reveals.
- Wireless lavs when the video includes dialogue or a spoken intro.
We shoot nightlife, concert and festival work regularly — including a Passport × Beenie Man concert and arena content at Barclays Center — so low light, stage lighting and fast movement are familiar territory, not a gamble.
Editing, color and delivery timeline
The edit is where a music video is won or lost. SHMONG edits in-house in Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve, which means performance sync, cutting to the beat, and a full color grade all happen under one roof. You're not waiting on a freelancer we've never worked with.
Our standard timeline:
- Raw footage: delivered in 24–48 hours after the shoot — and it's yours at no extra charge, on every project.
- Finished edit: 5–7 business days, including color grade.
- Rush: 48-hour turnaround available when a release date is tight.
- Revisions: two rounds included, so the final cut matches your vision.
We also deliver vertical cut-downs for Reels, TikTok and Shorts alongside the main video, so you have promo clips ready the day the video drops. If you already have footage and just need it cut, we offer editing-only work too.
“If you're looking for someone who truly knows how to bring a vision to life, look no further. Hands-down one of the most talented creatives I've worked with.”
— Wayne Crooks, Google review
How to hire SHMONG for your video
Booking is simple. Email contact@shmong.tv or fill out our contact form with three things: your shoot date, the location or locations, and what you need — the song, the concept, and any reference videos. You'll get a written quote within 24 hours, usually the same day.
From there, a 50% deposit locks your date. If you cancel, the deposit is non-refundable; if we cancel or make an error, you get 100% back. Every booking includes all your raw footage and two rounds of revisions, with no hidden line items.
SHMONG holds a 4.9-star rating across 170+ Google reviews and has delivered 4,500+ projects since 2003. See our music video work at /services/music-video/ and the broader reel at /portfolio. Tell us about your track — we'll tell you what's possible on your budget and timeline.
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 much does a music video cost in NYC?
It depends on the concept — a one-location performance video costs far less than a multi-location concept piece with a full crew and drone. SHMONG quotes per project with a $1,000 minimum booking, and you get a written quote within 24 hours once you share your song, concept and date.
Can you shoot a music video in one day?
Often, yes. A single day works well for a performance or lyric video with one or two locations and a ready wardrobe. Larger narrative concepts with multiple locations may need pre-production and sometimes a second day.
How fast will I get my music video back?
Raw footage lands in 24–48 hours and the finished, color-graded edit in 5–7 business days. A 48-hour rush is available when your release date is tight, and two rounds of revisions are included.
Do I get the raw footage from the shoot?
Yes. Every SHMONG production includes all raw footage at no extra charge. You own the source files, not just the final cut.
Do you handle permits for filming in New York?
Yes. Filming on public streets and many locations in New York requires a permit, and we plan for that so your shoot isn't interrupted. Our drone work flies with FAA-licensed pilots, as the city requires.
What cameras do you use for music videos?
We shoot on 4K cinema cameras — RED and the Sony FX series — with gimbals, pro lighting and DJI drones. That kit delivers the shallow depth of field and clean low-light look that reads as cinematic on screen.