AI-generated video is changing the industry.
Some businesses now expect commercials to cost significantly less because AI can create footage without cameras, crews, or locations.
So, does AI really make video production cheaper? Sometimes.
AI can reduce filming expenses, but scripting, creative direction, editing, and repeated generations still take time and money. The savings depend on the project.
At Redideo Studio, a creative agency specializing in San Diego video production, we’ve been experimenting with AI video technology for several years.
We haven’t conducted formal cost comparisons, but our experience has shown us that AI isn’t always faster, easier, or less expensive.
Why AI Video Production Isn't Always Cheaper
Creating a commercial isn't as simple as entering a prompt and clicking generate.
You still need a concept, a strong script, creative direction, editing, and quality control. We explain why planning matters in our article, Why a Strong Script Matters in Commercial Video Production.
AI also doesn’t always give you what you want. Getting realistic movement, consistent subjects, or the right camera angle can require multiple attempts.
Every AI video generation takes time and often uses paid credits. When the results aren’t usable, those costs can add up quickly.
A Reddit discussion about the real cost of AI video generation explores how failed attempts, wasted credits, and repeated testing can increase production expenses.
We’ve experienced similar challenges at Redideo Studio. Getting the right results can take multiple attempts, adding both time and software costs.
Here’s how AI can affect common production expenses:
| Production Expense | Potential Impact of AI |
|---|---|
| Camera crews and equipment | Can reduce or eliminate filming costs |
| Locations and travel | May reduce on-site production |
| Scriptwriting and strategy | Still require creative planning |
| Art direction and editing | Still require professional oversight |
| Software and generation credits | Can add expenses |
| Revisions and quality control | Still necessary |
Sometimes it's simply faster to pick up a camera and film the shot.
Our Experience With AI-Generated Real Estate Video
One example comes from a real estate video featuring aerial and interior shots that we created for a client through Drone Company San Diego, a vertical brand operated by Redideo Studio.
We wanted to create smooth, realistic transitions between photographs, including a day-to-night effect.
Capturing that transition with traditional video would have required a much longer on-site production, potentially an all-day shoot.
Instead, we photographed the property during the day and at night, then used AI to generate movement between the images.
This saved considerable on-site production time, but the AI portion still required work.
We experimented with different AI video models and multiple generations to achieve realistic camera movements and smooth transitions between the starting and ending photographs.
Some results looked unnatural. Others didn’t transition the way we wanted.
In the end, AI helped us create the effect without spending an entire day filming the transition. But getting there still required experimentation, editing, creative judgment, and time.
When Should Businesses Use AI or Traditional Video Production?
Both approaches have advantages.
Traditional filming is often the better choice when showcasing real employees, products, facilities, customer testimonials, or specific locations.
For example, we’d rather film actual vehicles at a San Diego dealership or capture the real food and atmosphere of a local restaurant.
AI-assisted production can be useful for visual effects, creative transitions, conceptual scenes, and certain animations.
Sometimes combining both approaches delivers the best result.
The important thing is choosing the production method that fits the project instead of assuming AI will automatically make everything cheaper.
Our Approach at Redideo Studio
With more than 20 years of experience in video production and digital marketing, Redideo Studio combines professional filmmaking with modern production technology.
We’ve explored the possibilities of AI through our own AI-generated video experiments, learning where the technology works well and where it falls short.
We use AI selectively when it improves efficiency, supports the creative vision, or makes financial sense. Sometimes traditional filming is simply the better option.
Our priority is creating effective, authentic video content that represents our clients and their businesses.
Let's Talk About Your Next Video Project
Redideo Studio provides creative strategy, scriptwriting, professional filming, and video editing.
We’ll help you determine the right production approach based on your goals, creative needs, and budget.
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About The Author
With 20+ years in digital media and marketing, Daniel Travers is the visionary of Redideo Studio, a San Diego-based creative agency. His expertise spans creative & marketing services, video production, website design, social media, and more.
Daniel’s experience includes working with brands such as iHeartMedia, Disney, Lexus, and more.
He holds a BFA in Photo New Media from the Kansas City Art Institute, along with an AAS in Graphic Communications from St. Louis Community College.
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