What does a production company do when you hire one for the first time? It’s normal to have questions. Does the quote include the script? Who finds the actors? Is the TV media buy billed separately? Many budget surprises come from not being clear on what the production company covers and what falls to the brand or the agency.
At Mosaico we have been producing in Managua since 2005 for brands like Toña, Flor de Caña, McDonald’s, BAC, Coca-Cola, Tigo and Visa. This guide sums up what a production company in Managua usually includes, what it almost never includes, and how to prepare your project to get a clear quote.
1. What does a production company do? The three stages of a production
Every professional video production, whether it’s a 30-second commercial or a corporate video, goes through three stages. A full-service production company handles all three.
Pre-production: where the project is won or lost
It’s the least visible stage and the most important one. It includes:
- Review of the creative brief and a proposed visual treatment.
- Shooting script and breakdown of scenes, shots and requirements.
- Casting of talent, with camera tests and final selection. At Mosaico we manage our own talent database; you can see how it works in our guide to casting local talent in Nicaragua.
- Location scouting and permits with property owners and city halls when needed.
- Art direction, wardrobe and makeup.
- Shooting plan and schedule, with days, call times and crew moves.
Good pre-production cuts hours on set, and set hours are the most expensive part of the whole project.
Production: the shoot day (or days)
So what does a production company do on the shoot itself? This is where the full crew comes in: director, director of photography, camera, lighting, location sound, production, art, makeup and assistants. The production company provides or rents the camera, lighting and grip equipment, coordinates crew transportation and meals, and is responsible for logistics on set.
Post-production: where footage becomes a finished piece
After the shoot come:
- Editing and cutting the versions.
- Color grading for the final look (at Mosaico we work in a color suite with DaVinci Resolve).
- Sound design, music and mix.
- Graphics and simple animation (text, logos, legal supers).
- Final deliverables in the formats each outlet requires: TV, YouTube, and vertical and square versions for social media.
If the project calls for it, we can also integrate generative AI video into post-production. We explain it on our services page (in Spanish).
2. What a production company usually doesn’t include
This is where most misunderstandings happen. Unless it’s agreed in writing, a production company usually doesn’t include:
- Media buying. Paying for airtime on TV, radio or social media falls to the brand or its media agency.
- Brand or campaign strategy. The production company executes an idea; the communication strategy usually comes from the agency or the client’s marketing team.
- Rights to well-known commercial music. Using a famous song requires separate licensing. The usual approach is library music or an original score.
- Unlimited talent usage rights. Actors are hired for a specific period and media (for example, one year on TV and social media in Nicaragua). Extending usage costs extra.
- Script changes after approval. Changing scenes once everything is prepped means new pre-production or shoot costs.
- Social media management. We deliver the pieces ready to publish; posting and managing them is a separate service.
Once you know the answer to “what does a production company do?” and what falls outside it, you can compare quotes fairly: two budgets can look very different just because one includes music rights or more final versions.
3. Production company, agency or freelancer: what’s the difference?
- Advertising agency: develops the strategy and the creative idea, and often hires the production company.
- Production company: turns that idea into a finished piece, with its own crew, equipment and processes.
- Independent producer or filmmaker: can handle small projects, but usually relies on renting everything and doesn’t always cover all three stages.
At Mosaico we work with agencies and also directly with brands. If your company doesn’t have an agency, we help you shape the idea before quoting. Learn more about how we work with visiting teams on our production services in Nicaragua page.
4. How to prepare your project for a clear quote
Before you ask for a price, gather this information:
- Goal: sell a product, launch a brand, recruit staff, inform?
- Audience: who are you talking to?
- Formats and length: 30-second spot, 2-minute video, versions for social media.
- Where it will run: TV, digital, point-of-sale screens.
- Delivery date and possible shoot dates.
- Reference budget: even a range helps us propose the best possible solution.
- Visual references: commercials or videos you like (and the ones you don’t).
With that, a serious production company can send back a proposal with clear line items: pre-production, shoot, talent, post-production and deliverables. That is how you answer “what does a production company do?” for your specific project. For a line-by-line view of costs, see our guide on how to budget a commercial shoot in Nicaragua.
5. Signs of a good production company in Nicaragua
Beyond what’s written in the proposal, look for these signs before you sign:
- A portfolio with real work and verifiable brands.
- An itemized quote, not a single number.
- A contract that spells out deliverables, deadlines and usage rights.
- In-house post-production or clearly identified partners.
- Experience on locations outside Managua: Granada, León, the Pacific beaches, the coffee-growing north (see our guide to film locations in Nicaragua).
FAQ: What does a production company do?
What does a production company do in a standard quote?
Typically pre-production (shooting script, casting, locations, art), production (crew plus camera, lighting and sound equipment) and post-production (editing, color, sound and deliverables). Media buying and campaign strategy are usually separate.
What does a production company do that an agency doesn’t?
The agency develops the strategy and the creative idea; the production company turns that idea into a finished piece with its own crew, equipment and processes, from pre-production to final deliverables.
Is talent included?
Casting and hiring the talent are usually included, but image rights are paid by period and media. If you want to use the piece in more countries or for longer, the cost changes.
How long does a production take?
It depends on the scope: a simple corporate video isn’t planned the same way as a commercial with several locations and casting. We send a schedule along with the proposal. If you’re shooting outdoors, our guide on when to film in Nicaragua covers the seasons.
Do you handle filming permits?
We handle location permits with property owners and city halls when needed. For foreign crews, permits are processed through INTUR and/or the Cinemateca Nacional, depending on the project. Drone shots require prior authorization under Law 1230.
Producing for an international brand?
If your team is coming from abroad or you work with a foreign production company, we also offer local production services and on-the-ground coordination. Everything is on our Production Services Nicaragua page, and if your team is still deciding where to shoot, read Why Film in Nicaragua.
Let’s talk about your project
Still asking yourself “what does a production company do for a project like mine?” Tell us what you need and we’ll tell you clearly what Mosaico will include in your proposal, and what it won’t.
Phone: +505 7655 7676
WhatsApp: +505 7655 7676
Email: info@mosaico.com.ni
Address: Residencial Las Colinas, Managua, Nicaragua
Read this article in Spanish: Qué incluye una productora audiovisual