A full-service 30-second video ad in Kuala Lumpur runs RM18,000 to RM65,000 depending on crew size, camera body, and post-work; single-shooter social ads cost RM1,500 to RM5,000, while DBKL permits, private venue access, and equipment insurance add RM1,500 to RM6,000 in non-negotiable overhead.
Ad Tiers: RM3K to RM100K in KL
KL production pricing splits into three operational brackets. You are not paying for “creativity” — you are paying for camera bodies, crew headcount, shooting days, and post hours.
– Tier 1 — Social performance ads (9:16, TikTok/IG): One videographer with a Sony A7S III or FX3, one LED panel, natural-light location. Finished 15–30 second ad: RM1,500 – RM5,000. This is the Lalamove-driver-vs-methodical-run-and-gun bracket; expect minimal art direction and no licensed music beyond royalty-free tracks.
– Tier 2 — e-commerce / YouTube mid-funnel ads: 2–3 crew (director, DOP, PA), rented FX6 or RED Komodo, basic 3-point lighting, studio or private café location. Finished 30–45 second ad: RM6,000 – RM18,000. Includes 2 revision rounds and a standard Davinci Resolve grade.
– Tier 3 — TVC / brand film: 2 shooting days, full crew (director, DOP, 1st AC, gaffer, sound recordist, art department, HMUA), Arri Alexa Mini LF package, set dressing, original music composition. Finished 30–60 second spot: RM35,000 – RM120,000. Broadcast-grade delivery files and full buyout of talent and music rights are built into this range.
Most KL production houses — from Kota Damansara loft studios to Bangsar boutique outfits — quote project-based, not day-based. A 30-second TVC averaging RM50,000 is the realistic midpoint for a brand with a distributor, a storefront, and a paid-media budget.
Crew Day Rates: Director to Runner
Crew rates in Klang Valley are tiered by union history, gear ownership, and showreel strength. The following are current per-day rates, quoted on a 10-hour shoot day with overtime billed at 1.5x after hour 10.
| Role | Day Rate (RM) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Director | 2,500 – 7,000 | Includes pre-pro meeting + shotlist; some quote flat RM8k–RM15k per project |
| DOP (with own FX6 + primes) | 1,800 – 3,500 | Own kit bundle saves RM400–RM800/day vs. separate rental |
| 1st AC / Camera Operator | 400 – 800 | Pulling focus on cine lenses costs extra RM150–RM300 |
| Gaffer | 350 – 600 | + RM1,500 – RM3,000 if a lighting truck is required |
| Sound Recordist | 500 – 900 | Boom + mixer + wireless lavs; audio post is billed separately |
| Art Director / Set Decorator | 800 – 2,000 | Sourcing props in KL markets (Sungai Wang, Jalan Petaling) is logged as expenses |
| HMUA | 300 – 800 | On-camera talent with multiple looks adds 1.5x |
| Production Assistant / Runner | 100 – 200 | Meal allowance RM15–RM25 per pax, standard across Klang Valley |
Professional talent agency rates: RM800 – RM3,000 per talent per day for non-speaking roles, RM3,000 – RM10,000 per day if the talent delivers on-camera lines. Celebrity or influencer rates are quoted separately by their managers and are typically 2–4x above agency talent — negotiate buyout terms early to avoid per-quarter usage fees.
Camera Rentals: Sony, RED, ARRI
KL rental houses in Bukit Bintang, TTDI, and Petaling Jaya quote daily rates with a RM2,000 – RM5,000 refundable deposit. CFexpress cards and V-mount batteries are billed at RM50 – RM150 per day per item. Confirm firmware and lens mounts before booking; a full cine package should include mattebox, follow focus, and an on-board monitor.
| Kit | Day Rate (RM) |
|---|---|
| Sony A7S III + 24–70mm f/2.8 | 250 – 400 |
| Sony FX6 body only | 350 – 700 |
| RED Komodo 6K + basic accessories | 900 – 1,500 |
| Arri Alexa Mini LF package (body + 3 primes) | 3,500 – 5,500 |
| Zeiss CP.3 or Sigma Cine prime set (3 lenses) | 400 – 800 |
| Aputure 600d Pro LED | 200 – 300 |
| SkyPanel S60 | 350 – 500 |
| DJI RS4 Gimbal | 80 – 200 |
| Tripod + slider + follow focus bundle | 100 – 250 |
Renting a Sony FX6 for a single shooting day is RM350 – RM700. Do not accept a quote that bundles camera, lens, and operator for under RM1,800/day if you expect cine-quality codecs and a DOP who knows how to expose them.
Post: Offline, VFX, Colour Grade
Post-production in KL is billed per hour, per day, or per project. Freelance editors on platforms like Upwork and local Telegram production groups charge RM400 – RM800/day; most finish a 30-second ad in 2–3 days including revisions.
| Post Item | Rate (RM) |
|---|---|
| Offline edit, 30-second cut (2 revision rounds) | 1,200 – 3,000 |
| Motion graphics / 2D animation (After Effects) | 1,500 – 6,000 per 15–30 sec |
| 3D product visualisation (Blender / Cinema 4D) | 3,000 – 15,000 per shot |
| Colour grading (DaVinci Resolve, full grade) | 500 – 2,500 per project |
| Voiceover — local Malay/English/Chinese talent | 200 – 600 per session |
| Stock music subscription (Epidemic/Artlist) | 30 – 100 per month |
| Exclusive sync licence | 1,500 – 5,000 |
| Original composition | 3,000 – 10,000 |
Most KL production houses include one round of basic colour correction in their flat rate. A proper grade with skin-tone isolation, HDR delivery, and broadcast-safe luminance is always a separate line item — budget RM1,500 minimum if your ad features food, fabric, or automotive paint.
DBKL Permits, Location Fees, Insurance
Shooting on Kuala Lumpur public land without a DBKL permit is the fastest way to get your gear confiscated and your client sued. Budget these line items before you sign any crew.
– DBKL commercial shoot permit: RM100 – RM300 per day for street-level shoots in the city centre. Applications take 5–10 working days; rushed processing via production coordinators costs RM400 – RM800.
– Landmark and government-adjacent locations (Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, KLCC park): separate approvals from the relevant agencies, with combined admin fees of RM500 – RM2,000. Walk-ins are rejected; the official application window is 14 days.
– Private venue access: A café in TTDI or a warehouse in Sungai Besi rents at RM1,000 – RM5,000 per day. Studios with a cyc wall and basic lighting package in Kota Damansara run RM3,000 – RM8,000 per day.
– Outdoor bush/forest locations (Hulu Langat, FRIM, Klang Gates Quartz Ridge): require landowner permission and an escort for some areas; budget RM300 – RM800 plus PA travel claims.
– Production insurance: equipment, public liability, and weather cancellation cover costs RM600 – RM1,800 per shoot through KL entertainment insurance brokers. Skip this and a lightning strike on an Alexa Mini will cost you RM120,000 out of pocket.
– Weather buffer: the monsoon season (October–March) forces most KL productions to carry a 10–15% contingency for indoor rescheduling. Build this into the quote upfront, not as an after-the-fact variation order.
Price Comparison Table
| Line Item | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Single Shooter (RM1.5k–RM5k) | FX3, 1-day, self-edit | TikTok/IG 9:16 performance ads |
| Tier 2 — Mid Crew (RM6k–RM18k) | FX6/Komodo, 2–3 crew, basic lighting | E-commerce and YouTube ads |
| Tier 3 — Full TVC (RM35k–RM120k) | Alexa Mini LF, art dept, original music | Brand campaigns and broadcast |
| DOP with Own Kit (RM1.8k–RM3.5k/day) | FX6 + primes bundle | Run-and-gun shoots with tight prep |
| Post + Grade (RM1.2k–RM5.5k) | Offline edit + DaVinci grade | Finished delivery for digital/broadcast |
| DBKL Permit + Insurance (RM700–RM2.1k) | Compliance cover for KL shoots | Street, landmark, and multi-day shoots |
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