Corporate Video Cost in Hong Kong: 2024 Commercial Production Guide
TL;DR — A professional corporate or commercial video in Hong Kong costs between HKD 60,000 and HKD 350,000 (approximately USD 7,700–44,900). Prestige financial services films shot on Central skyline locations with union crew sit at the top end; single-day internal communications videos with a lean crew land around HKD 60,000–100,000.
The Hong Kong Corporate Video Market
Hong Kong's production industry is shaped by three forces that make it unlike anywhere else in the region. First, it has a deep legacy crew pool — largely built around the TVB and RTHK broadcast ecosystem — that gives it an abundance of experienced technicians at competitive day rates. Second, the city's role as the financial gateway between China and the rest of the world means corporate clients demand broadcast-quality work with simultaneous Traditional Chinese and English deliverables as standard. Third, the density of skyscrapers and the drama of Victoria Harbour make location fees a significant line item that no budget can ignore.
In 2024, the Hong Kong production market is also adapting to two structural shifts: an increase in mainland Chinese brands commissioning prestige Hong Kong productions (particularly for finance, luxury, and property sectors), and a growing demand for vertical-format social content delivered alongside traditional 16:9 masters.
Crew Day Rates in Hong Kong (2024)
Rates are quoted in HKD per 10-hour day, exclusive of equipment:
| Role | Entry-Level (HKD) | Mid-Tier (HKD) | Senior / Award-Winning (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | 4,000–7,000 | 9,000–16,000 | 20,000–38,000 |
| Director of Photography (DP) | 3,500–6,000 | 7,000–13,000 | 16,000–28,000 |
| Sound Recordist | 2,500–4,000 | 5,000–8,000 | 9,000–14,000 |
| Gaffer / Lighting Technician | 2,200–3,500 | 4,000–7,000 | 8,000–12,000 |
| Production Manager | 2,000–3,500 | 4,500–8,000 | 9,000–15,000 |
| Colourist | 2,500–4,000 | 5,000–9,000 | 10,000–18,000 |
| Motion Graphics / VFX Artist | 3,000–5,000 | 6,000–10,000 | 12,000–22,000 |
The legacy TVB crew pool means there is an unusually large number of mid-tier technicians available in Hong Kong — which keeps mid-range budgets competitive even as senior rates rise. A competent 4-person crew for a one-day corporate shoot typically costs HKD 18,000–35,000 in crew fees before equipment or location.
Iconic Locations and Venue Costs
Hong Kong's Visual Impact — the Central skyline, Victoria Harbour, and the density of IFC / Exchange Square glass — is one of the most recognisable commercial backdrops in the world. Accessing it comes at a cost:
- Victoria Harbour rooftop access: Premium rooftops in Central or Tsim Sha Tsui with clear harbour views charge HKD 8,000–25,000 per day for commercial shoots, plus a refundable security deposit of HKD 10,000–30,000.
- Central Business District streets and footbridges: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Home Affairs Department jointly manage permit applications for public locations. Fees start at HKD 2,000 for a small-crew street permit and rise to HKD 15,000+ for high-footfall areas. Applications require 10–21 working days.
- IFC Two and Exchange Square: Internal common areas require written approval from the building management (Henderson Land / Hong Kong Land respectively) and a commercial filming fee of HKD 15,000–40,000 per half-day.
- Studio hire in Kowloon Bay or Tuen Mun: Full sound stages run HKD 8,000–20,000 per 10-hour day. The Cyberport Media Production Centre offers subsidised studio rates for resident companies.
Category III Drone Restrictions
Hong Kong classifies unmanned aircraft into three categories. The key rules affecting commercial video production:
- Category III drones (over 7 kg, including many cinema-grade systems) require a licence from the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and prior written approval for each flight location. This process can take 4–8 weeks.
- Victoria Harbour, the central areas of Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon are designated Restricted Areas for drone flight. Aerial footage of the iconic skyline effectively requires a Category III operator licence plus individual location approvals from multiple government departments.
- Many productions instead use permitted helicopter charter for aerial shots (HKD 18,000–35,000 per hour with a pilot and approved camera mount) or licence archival drone footage — typically HKD 5,000–15,000 for a 10-second clip from a reputable stock library.
Budget an additional HKD 12,000–25,000 if genuine aerial footage of the skyline is a creative requirement, to cover permits, operator fees, and contingency time.
Sector-Specific Budget Benchmarks
- Financial services (HSBC, Standard Chartered, investment banks): Compliance, multilingual versions (English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese), and on-screen disclaimer requirements make financial services videos among the most expensive to produce. Budget HKD 120,000–350,000 for a flagship brand film and HKD 60,000–100,000 for a compliance training video.
- Property and real estate (Henderson, Sun Hung Kai, CK Asset): Luxury residential launch films featuring architectural walkthroughs, lifestyle talent, and drone or helicopter aerials typically cost HKD 150,000–300,000. Interior-focused show-flat films run HKD 50,000–100,000.
- Retail and FMCG: A 30-second TVC with a modest cast and a licensed music track: HKD 90,000–180,000 including post-production. Social-first formats (vertical 9:16, 15–30 seconds) can be produced for HKD 40,000–80,000 when shot alongside a TVC on the same day.
- Professional services (law firms, accounting, consulting): Thought-leadership interview series and partner profile videos run HKD 60,000–120,000 for a 3–5 episode package shot over 2 days.
- Mainland China-facing brand content: Videos designed for distribution on WeChat, Douyin, or Bilibili require simplified Chinese subtitles, localised compliance reviews, and often a Mandarin voiceover. Add HKD 8,000–18,000 to any base budget for these deliverables.
Package Tiers: What HKD Buys You
| Tier | Budget Range (HKD) | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | 60,000–100,000 | 1-day shoot, 3-person crew, basic colour grade, 1 round of revisions, bilingual subs (EN + Traditional Chinese) |
| Professional | 100,000–180,000 | 2-day shoot, 5-person crew, licensed music, motion graphics, 2 rounds of revisions, 4K master + social edits |
| Premium | 180,000–260,000 | Multi-day shoot, full-crew, harbour location, professional talent, custom grade, Mandarin + English voiceover, 3 rounds of revisions |
| Flagship | 260,000–350,000+ | Iconic skyline locations, helicopter aerial, director with regional TVC credits, original soundtrack, trilingual versions, broadcast delivery |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a separate permit to film on the MTR or public transport?
- Yes. The MTR Corporation and franchised bus operators have their own commercial filming approval processes, separate from government permits. MTR filming fees start at HKD 5,000 per station per half-day, and applications must be submitted at least 21 days in advance.
- What is a typical timeline from brief to delivery for a Hong Kong corporate video?
- Allow 6–10 weeks. Pre-production including permits takes 3–4 weeks; a 1–2 day shoot; and 3–5 weeks of post-production. Mainland China distribution adds 2–3 weeks for compliance and censorship review if required.
- How does the TVB crew pool affect quality and availability?
- The legacy TVB and RTHK industry means Hong Kong has a deep pool of mid-tier technicians — gaffers, grips, camera assistants — who are highly experienced and competitively priced compared to Singapore or Tokyo. However, senior directors and DPs with international credits are in high demand; book 6–8 weeks ahead for premium-tier talent.
- Are there government grants for corporate video production in Hong Kong?
- The CreateSmart Initiative (CSI) administered by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) offers funding for creative industries projects, but direct grants for pure-commercial corporate video are limited. Industry associations such as the Hong Kong Federation of Film Societies can advise on co-production pathways.
- How do bilingual script requirements affect the budget?
- Most financial services and professional services clients require simultaneous Traditional Chinese and English scripts. A professional bilingual scriptwriter charges HKD 8,000–18,000 for a 3-minute corporate film. Voiceover talent for each language costs HKD 3,000–8,000 per session.
- What exchange rate should I use for USD comparisons?
- The Hong Kong dollar has been pegged to the USD since 1983 at approximately HKD 7.75–7.85 per USD. For budgeting purposes, divide HKD figures by 7.8 for a USD equivalent.
- Is it cheaper to fly in a mainland China crew?
- Mainland Chinese crews can be 30–50% cheaper for crew-only costs, but Hong Kong shoot permits require the production company to have a Hong Kong business registration. Logistics, work visas, and permit complications typically eliminate the saving for shoots under HKD 200,000.
- What format should I deliver in for Hong Kong broadcast and digital?
- RTHK and ViuTV require broadcast masters in MXF or ProRes HQ 1920×1080 at 25fps. Digital platforms are typically H.264 or H.265 at 4K/UHD. Most productions in 2024 shoot in 4K and deliver a simultaneous 1080p broadcast master and 4K digital master.