What three million naira buys in a Warri music video

Artistes ask us this every week, so here is an honest answer with an example budget. Every music video is different, but the shape of the money is usually the same.

Where the first million goes

Crew is the biggest line. A lean night shoot needs about ten people: director, director of photography, focus puller, gaffer, two electricians, sound for playback, make-up, a production assistant and a driver. That is roughly ₦1.15m for one night at our example rates.

Kit and power

A cinema camera, a gimbal and a lighting kit with neon come to about ₦640,000 a night. Add a generator and fuel, because the grid will not keep your street lit until 3am.

Dancers and people

A choreographer and twelve dancers with one rehearsal are around ₦540,000. Paying the shops on the street for the night is cheaper than you think, and it keeps everyone friendly.

Post is not optional

Edit, grade and three vertical cuts come to about ₦460,000. Skipping the grade is the most expensive saving you can make, because it is what makes the video look like a film.

So what does ₦3m buy?

One well-planned night, one strong idea and a finished video with social cuts. It does not buy two locations, a celebrity cameo or a crane. Use the budget finder in our enquiry to see the bands.