Your business needs video content.

Regularly.

You need trailers, testimonials, case studies, and b-roll for your website. You need shorts for Instagram and TikTok. You want to enhance your digital presence so it truly stands out and captures more people's interest in what you have to offer.

Yet every time you come to produce a video, you’re either working with your team in-house using smartphones, scraping around for ideas that work and continuously watching YouTube tutorials trying to up the quality of your production.

Or you’re hiring a freelancer or agency, constantly taking you back to square one – briefing a new team, explaining your brand voice, crossing your fingers that this time they'll actually get it right.

It's exhausting. And expensive.

That's precisely why video production retainers exist, allowing you to lock in with a video production agency that works for you whenever you need it.

But is a retainer right for you? Before you commit to one, let's discuss what they are, their costs, and whether they're the right move for your business.

What is a video production retainer?

A video production retainer is a fixed monthly fee you pay to receive a set amount of video content every month. This could include social media clips, training videos, testimonials, or other forms of promotional content.

The scope of what you get is usually agreed beforehand, but there’s usually some flexibility depending on what you’re after for that month.

A video production retainer is essentially having a creative team on speed dial, as and when you need them.

Think of it like a gym membership, but instead of access to treadmills, you get access to videographers, editors, and a team that actually knows your brand inside out.

The key difference from project-based work?

Consistency.

Same team, same quality, every single month. No more explaining what your brand colours are or why your CEO hates being filmed from certain angles.

This is far more effective than trying to scrape together some videos yourself every month, from coming up with the ideas to actually putting them together. Instead, the professionals handle the content, and you can focus on doing what you do best, instead of spreading yourself too thin.

How much do video production retainers cost?

Of course, pricing matters. Based on industry research and real videographer feedback, here's what you're typically looking at in the UK market:

Basic retainers (2-4 videos per month): £1,500 - £3,000/month

Simple social media content
Single-camera setups
Standard editing

Mid-tier retainers (4-8 videos per month): £3,000 - £5,000/month

Multi-camera shoots
Professional lighting and audio
More complex editing and graphics

Premium retainers (8+ videos per month): £5,000 - £8,000+/month

Full production service
Multiple shoot days
Advanced post-production
Possible social media management add-ons

The actual cost depends on several factors, including complexity, shoot locations, and the specifics of your package.

Most retainer clients save between 15-35% compared to paying for individual projects—and that's before you factor in the time saved not having to brief new teams constantly.

What are the pros and cons of video production retainers?

Pros of video retainers

Cost-effectiveness and budget predictability

Let's say you typically pay £1,500 per professional Reel. You need four videos a month. That's £6,000. A retainer for the same work? Probably closer to £4,500-£5,000. That's real savings that compound month after month.

Plus, you know exactly what you're spending each month—no surprise invoices, no scope creep.

Priority access and faster turnaround times

Ever needed a last-minute video for a product launch? With a retainer, you're already in the schedule. Your production partner can shuffle things around because you're a committed client, not a one-off project they can easily bump.

You get priority treatment when deadlines get tight.

Consistency in quality and branding

When the same team handles all your content, they learn your brand guidelines, your tone, and your style preferences. By month three, they're anticipating your needs before you even ask.

Revision rounds shrink. Approval times speed up. Everything just flows better. Your content actually looks like it came from the same brand.

Simplified workflow and project management

No more chasing quotes, comparing proposals, or onboarding new teams. You have one point of contact, one monthly meeting, and a predictable schedule. It frees you up to actually think about strategy instead of logistics.

The production company becomes an extension of your marketing team.

Improved results over time

Here's what people don't talk about enough: the longer you work with the same production team, the better they get at telling your story.

They understand your audience, they know what performs well, and they can offer strategic input that goes way beyond "point camera, press record." The relationship compounds.

Cons of video retainers

Fixed commitment regardless of usage

If you suddenly need less content, you're still on the hook for your monthly fee. Most retainers require a minimum 3-6 month commitment. That's great for consistency, but less great if your needs change unexpectedly or you hit a slow season.

Higher upfront monthly investment

Yes, you save money long-term. But £3,000-£5,000 per month is still a significant line item. For smaller businesses or those just starting with video, it can feel like a big leap compared to paying for one video at a time.

Dependence on a single production partner

When you've worked with the same team for months, they become integral to your content engine. If something happens—they get overbooked, quality slips, or the relationship sours—you're scrambling to find a replacement who understands your brand.

Not suitable for sporadic video needs

If you only need video sporadically—a couple times a year for major campaigns—a retainer doesn't make sense. You're better off with project-based work. Don't commit to monthly production if you don't actually need monthly content.

How video production retainers work

Most video production retainers follow a pretty standard rhythm:

Month 1: You have a discovery session where the production team learns your brand, your goals, and your content needs. You agree on deliverables and set a production schedule.

Ongoing: Monthly check-ins to plan upcoming shoots, review performance of previous content, and adjust strategy. Shoots happen on predetermined days. Edits come back with quick turnaround. You provide feedback. Finals get delivered.

The difference? By month three or four, those planning meetings take half the time because everyone's on the same page.

Is a video production retainer right for your business?

You probably need a retainer if:

You need video content at least twice a month
Consistency in quality and branding matters to you
You're tired of starting from scratch with new production teams
You value predictable pricing and can commit to 3-6 months minimum

You probably don't need a retainer if:

Your video needs are sporadic or seasonal
You're just testing the waters with video content
Budget flexibility is more important than consistency
You prefer working with different creative teams for variety

Getting started with a video retainer

If you're producing content regularly and the math checks out, a video production retainer can be one of the smartest decisions you make for your marketing. You save money, save time, and get content that actually looks like it came from the same brand.

At Freitas Films, we've helped Bristol businesses build consistent content engines through flexible retainer packages.

Whether you need social media content, testimonial videos, or a mix of videography and photography, we can create a retainer that fits your needs—not a one-size-fits-all package.

Want to chat about what a retainer could look like for your business? Get in touch and let's see if it makes sense.

Video Production Retainers: What They Cost, How They Work & Why Businesses Choose Them