Creating a commercial isn’t just about lights, cameras, and action. It’s a strategic process that requires planning, communication, and execution at every step.
If you’re trying to plan ahead or communicate a timeline to your boss or team, you’re asking the right question: how long does it actually take to make a commercial?
The short answer? It depends.
But generally, most commercials take anywhere from four weeks to three months, depending on length, concept complexity, number of decision-makers, and production quality expectations.
Let’s break it down so you can plan smart, reduce stress, and walk into the project with confidence.
What’s the Typical Timeline?
Commercials tend to fall into three time-based formats:
- 15-second commercials
- 30-second commercials
- 60-second commercials
Each format serves a different purpose—and affects how much time you’ll need to get it done.
15-Second Commercials
Short and sharp. Great for online ads, social media campaigns, or quick pre-roll content.
Because these spots are faster to film and edit, they’re also faster to turn around.
Average timeline: 3 to 6 weeks
30-Second Commercials
The industry standard.
Enough room to tell a story, build brand awareness, and deliver a CTA.
Most brands lean on this format for TV, digital, or integrated campaign use.
Average timeline: 4 to 8 weeks
60-Second Commercials
The full minute offers room for emotion, storytelling, or complexity.
These often have bigger budgets, higher production values, and more moving parts.
Average timeline: 6 to 12+ weeks
How Long Does It Take to Make a 30-Second Commercial?
A 30-second commercial may feel short—but the process is anything but.
It requires detailed planning and execution, even when the goal is simple.
Here’s how the typical timeline breaks out, step by step.
Pre-Production: 1 to 4 Weeks
This is where the blueprint is built.
Every decision you make in this phase affects the efficiency of the shoot—and ultimately how fast your commercial comes to life.
Key pre-production tasks include:
- Creative Concept Development – Brainstorming and idea generation based on your goals
- Scriptwriting – Writing a tight, compelling message that fits the brand and timing
- Storyboarding – Mapping out each scene visually so everyone knows what’s being captured
- Casting & Location Scouting – Finding the right talent and backdrops
- Scheduling – Organizing shoot dates, team coordination, equipment rentals, and permits
Production: 1 to 7 Days
This is shoot week—where everything comes together on set.
Depending on how many locations, scenes, or setups are involved, production could last a single day or an entire week.
Typical production tasks include:
- On-site direction and camera work
- Lighting setup and sound
- Talent coordination and multiple takes
- B-roll or backup footage capture
Post-Production: 2 to 6 Weeks
Once filming wraps, the footage heads to post-production—where it’s edited, enhanced, and finalized.
Post-production tasks often include:
- Editing – Cutting scenes and assembling them into a cohesive 30-second story
- Sound Design – Layering voiceovers, music, and sound effects
- Color Correction – Adjusting visual tones for consistency and mood
- Motion Graphics or VFX – Adding logos, text, or special effects
- Final Review & Revisions – Sending drafts to stakeholders for review and incorporating notes
This stage can move quickly—or take weeks—depending on how many rounds of feedback are needed and how decisive the client is.
How Many People Are Involved in a Commercial?
Even a short, simple commercial involves a handful of key roles.
Here’s who’s typically on board:
- Director – Brings the concept to life and guides on-set execution
- Producer – Manages schedules, budgets, and logistics
- Writers – Craft the script and any spoken lines
- Camera Crew – Handles filming and lighting
- Talent – On-screen performers or voiceover artists
- Editors & Post Team – Shape the raw footage into a final product
- Audio Engineers – Mix music and dialogue for quality sound
For smaller shoots, one person may wear multiple hats.
For larger, national campaigns, entire teams may be assigned to each stage.
What Factors Affect Production Time?
Not every commercial has the same timeline.
Here are the biggest time variables.
Concept Complexity
A single-location, interview-style shoot can be filmed in a day and edited in a week.
But a commercial with multiple locations, actors, effects, and props may stretch across several months.
Client Feedback and Approvals
This one’s big.
If a brand has several layers of internal review—legal, marketing, exec teams—it can seriously slow things down.
The faster your feedback loop, the faster the delivery.
Locations and Permits
Shooting on location?
Traveling out of state?
Need a city permit?
Each of these adds time for planning and coordination.
Budget Constraints
This one might surprise you.
More money often means more resources—and a faster turnaround.
Less money might mean a smaller team or fewer shoot days, which often requires more time to complete.
Understanding the cost of making a commercial upfront helps clarify where your money goes—and how fast your team can move.
How to Keep a Commercial Project on Track
You can’t control everything.
But you can set your project up for success with a few smart practices.
Set Clear Expectations Up Front
Before production begins, agree on goals, deliverables, and decision-making processes.
The fewer surprises later, the faster everything moves.
Pad Your Timeline
Always allow buffer time for weather delays, reshoots, or revision rounds.
What looks like a one-month project may need six weeks to breathe.
Work with Experienced Teams
Experience shows.
A team that’s been through dozens of shoots can anticipate problems, prevent issues, and keep things running smoothly.
Communicate Often
Frequent, clear communication keeps the crew aligned and the client looped in.
Silence between stages? That’s a recipe for delay.
At The End Of The Day
Creating a commercial isn’t just creative work—it’s logistical work, too.
By understanding how long it takes to make a commercial and what affects that timeline, you’re in a better position to plan smart, reduce friction, and get a high-quality result that actually hits your deadline.
If you’re staring down a campaign calendar or wrestling with how long this whole thing will take, you don’t have to go it alone.
That’s where we come in.
Ready to Make Your Commercial Actually Happen?
We help marketing directors and in-house teams bring ideas to life—on time, on brand, and without the typical agency headache.
MOCK, the agency partners directly with your internal team to produce smart, polished commercials at the speed of business.
Let’s create something that makes you—and your boss—look good.
- Website: https://mocktheagency.com/
- Phone: 470-225-6814
- Email: hello@mocktheagency.com
- Address: 247 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
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