I just posted on Shap's thread about budgets and thought here I would elaborate to other levels and niches.
Costs are approx and not including agents, assistants, admin, correction, editing, and more costs. Plus the shooters wage is not too high.
To shoot Twistys type content costs a lot of money. Top shooters, models, make up, clothing, location extras like travel, equipment, refreshments. I've based it on LA costs. In Russia it would be cheaper, good luck finding the shooter.
Model = $1,000
Make up = $500
Clothing = $200
Location = $1,000
Top shooter = $1,000
Extras = $300
Total $4,000 for a days shooting. = $1,333 a scene.
Try shooting more than 3 scenes a day and the whole thing is filler content full of basic mistakes. Because it's being rushed.
My level shooting in Eastern Europe.
Model = $500
Make up = $200
Clothing = $50
Location = $500 (Studio costs less but has to be paid every month)
Top shooter = $250 (You can get monkeys for less, Eva or I would cost more.
)
Extras = $100
Total $1,600 for a days shooting. = $533 a scene.
Again because even at my level more than 3 scenes a day is not practical, to produce good content.
Of course it can all be done on the cheap, pay the model less, does her own make up, provides her own clothing, shot in your living room, shoot it yourself, shoot 5 scenes, etc. But you still have to budget for;
Equipment. Good cameras $5,000 = $10,000, lights 4 strobes at $500 = $2,000, mikes, etc. Lights last for a long time. Cameras don't because of technology.
Plus add some of these. Admin, legal, accounting, computers and programs, electricity, heating, transport, phones, Internet connections, servers and maybe staff.
One of the problems of the Internet is it thinks the product is something that can be shot on the basis of 5 solo girl scenes a day for $1,500 - $2,000. GG or BG for $1,000 to $2,000 and then shocked the customers think it's crap and move on after a week.