Commercial Production / Timeline.
From concept to broadcast, here is exactly what to expect at every stage. Plan your commercial production with confidence using our detailed timeline breakdown.
The Four Phases of Commercial Production
A typical commercial takes 8-12 weeks from kickoff to final delivery. Here is how that time breaks down.
Pre-Production
2-4 Weeks
- Creative brief development and approval
- Scriptwriting and revision rounds
- Storyboarding and visual concept design
- Casting: talent auditions and selection
- Location scouting and permits
- Crew hiring and scheduling
- Production design, props and wardrobe
- Budget finalization and logistics planning
Production
1-5 Days (Shoot)
- Equipment prep and tech scout
- Principal photography days
- Multi-camera setup and lighting
- Talent direction and performance capture
- Sound recording on location/studio
- B-roll and supplementary footage capture
- Daily footage review and backup
Post-Production
2-6 Weeks
- Footage ingest, organization and selects
- Picture edit: rough cut, fine cut, locked picture
- Motion graphics and visual effects
- Color grading and color correction
- Sound design and audio mixing
- Music selection, composition or licensing
- Voice-over recording (if needed)
- Client review cycles and revisions
- Closed captioning and compliance
Distribution
1-3 Weeks
- Network clearance and technical QC
- Format transcoding for each platform
- Broadcast delivery to networks
- Digital and streaming platform delivery
- Social media and web version exports
- Campaign launch coordination with media buyer
Need It Faster?
Rush timelines are available for time-sensitive campaigns. We have delivered commercials in as little as 3-4 weeks when needed. Expedited projects require premium scheduling and typically add 25-40% to the budget. Contact us to discuss your deadline — we will be honest about what is achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest possible timeline for a commercial?
Under ideal circumstances, we can deliver a commercial in 3-4 weeks. This requires immediate approval of creative, rapid casting from pre-vetted talent pools, streamlined client review cycles and an expedited post-production schedule. Rush projects involve premium rates for crew and facilities. We recommend starting at least 8 weeks before your air date for a comfortable schedule.
What causes the most delays in commercial production?
The most common delays come from extended approval processes — multiple stakeholders, legal review and indecision during post-production. Weather on shoot days, talent availability changes and last-minute script revisions also push timelines. We build buffer time into every schedule and recommend designating a single decision-maker to keep things moving.
How long does a typical commercial project take from start to finish?
A typical commercial takes 8-12 weeks from kickoff to final delivery. Simple projects with a single location and limited post-production can be done in 6-8 weeks. Complex national campaigns with multiple locations, visual effects and extensive post-production can take 14-16 weeks. We provide a detailed project schedule during the proposal phase.
Plan Your Production Timeline
Let's map out your commercial production schedule together. We will create a detailed timeline that fits your launch date and keeps your campaign on track.
- Detailed project schedule at proposal stage
- Dedicated project manager throughout
- Regular status updates and milestone tracking
- Buffer time built into every phase