Long-Term Time-Lapse - 3 months or more

Initial Camera Preparation & Installation

$850
one-time fee

One-time fee for camera preparation, site scouting and custom non-destructive mounting

Monthly Camera Hire, Service & Progress Video

$480
month

Includes time-lapse video and monthly site visit to clean the lens and solar panel

Camera Hire with High Dynamic Range (HDR) Shooting

$680
month

Additional Cameras

Expand your site coverage with additional cameras

Installation of Each Additional Camera

$450
additional camera

Additional Camera Hire with Monitoring and Progress Videos

$380
additional camera

Additional Camera Hire with Monitoring, Progress Videos & High Dynamic Range (HDR) Shooting

$580
additional camera / month

Project Enhancements

Camera Relocations

$480

Drone Cinematography During Monthly Site Visits

$280
shoot

Drone Cinematography

$850
1/2 day

$1,850
day

Live Cameras

$280
month

Live camera streaming to your mobile

HDR shooting retains more detail in bright areas and deep shadows

Short-Term Time-Lapse Pricing

Attended one-day shoot: $1,850. Graeme Beck remains on site, managing multiple time-lapse cameras.

Unattended one-day shoot: $1,250.

Fixed camera time-lapse hire
($850 mount set-up, daily monitoring, site visits and time-lapse videos)
Filming period Standard shooting HDR shooting
Week 1 or less $1,250 $1,450
Weeks 2–4 $650 / week $750 / week
Month 2 (weeks 5–8) $350 / week $460 / week
Month 3 (weeks 9–12) $200 / week $280 / week
Month 4 onwards $480 / month $680 / month

Video Production

Conventional video filming
(2 person crew, full production kit)
Filming session Price
Half-day $1950
Full day $2,850

Video Editing

$180 / hr

All prices are plus GST

The Electric Films Advantage

Award-winning cinematographer Graeme Beck expertly documents every phase of your project. Through carefully selected angles and meticulous image processing, he ensures your work is captured at its absolute best.

Time-Lapse FAQs

What is included in the monthly fee?

The monthly fee includes camera hire, daily remote monitoring, a progress video, and a site visit each month to check the equipment and clean the lens and solar panel. Regular maintenance is important on dusty construction sites. Site photographs are available anytime.

How are time-lapse cameras maintained?

Time-lapse camera service includes daily remote monitoring and on long term cameras, monthly site visits to clean the lens and solar panel and inspect the equipment. Camera positions are reviewed as construction progresses, with relocations discussed with the site manager when a better view becomes available on the Sydney site.

Can clients view images from the cameras remotely?

Yes. Remote access can be provided so project managers can view images from their Sydney or regional construction site on a mobile device. Images are uploaded daily directly to secure Electric Films servers. Project managers should discuss their access needs when planning the camera installation. Photographs are available anytime.

What shooting intervals are used for time-lapse filming?

The interval is tailored to the pace of the work. Long-term construction projects use ten-minute intervals. As construction nears completion, this is adjusted to five minutes to capture stunning day-to-night transitions, showcasing your finished building at its absolute best. For shorter projects lasting a day or two, intervals can be as brief as 30 seconds.

Do the cameras need a nearby power outlet?

Battery-powered time-lapse cameras are utilised for interior filming, so camera positions do not have to be beside a power outlet.

What videos do clients receive?

For long-term projects, you will receive monthly progress videos that are a good length for team reviews and sharing. Aerial footage is always included with our drone services.

What is HDR shooting?

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. At each time-lapse interval, the camera takes three exposures: one normal, one darker, and one brighter. These are combined into a single frame using intensive processing power to retain maximum detail in bright areas and deep shadows.

Are conventional video and still photography services available?

Yes. In addition to time-lapse, Electric Films provides a complete video production service.

Where are time-lapse cameras mounted on construction sites?

Construction cameras can be mounted on rooftops, scaffolding, cranes, street poles or our custom poles. Electric Films arranges the necessary permissions with local councils, power companies and building management. Street poles provide very useful viewpoints and allow installation within a day or two; negotiations with building managers can take longer. Camera positions are carefully selected by our multi-award-winning cinematographer.

What happens if a camera gets bumped or its mounting moves?

Minor camera movement is corrected by stabilising the footage in Adobe After Effects. More significant shifts require realigning the images using a corner pin filter, or physically repositioning the camera. The time-lapse filming guide explains these methods in more detail.

Where repositioning is required, changing the viewing angle by 45 degrees or framing a different subject avoids a jump cut.

Can a time-lapse camera be moved?

Yes. A time-lapse camera stays fixed while recording each sequence, but can be repositioned as the project develops. Moving it at key stages lets us capture the best angles that are more engaging to watch.

How many camera relocations should we budget for?

Camera relocations allow us to track the progression of your site from the best possible angles. While a static setup works for some sites, even small projects look better with changing viewpoints, and larger developments benefit from additional positions. We recommend budgeting for at least two moves. Contact Graeme to tailor the perfect approach for your site.

How is camera movement managed when attached to scaffolding or cranes?

On construction sites, scaffolding and cranes can provide excellent viewpoints, but they naturally move. Videos are stabilised in Adobe After Effects. See an example here.

Can industrial work be filmed overnight or over several days?

Yes. A number of portable time-lapse cameras can record a specific operation overnight or over a weekend, often alongside long-term cameras documenting the same project. The M2 Freeway Bridge project demonstrates this approach. Project managers can share their work schedules with Graeme so coverage is planned precisely around key stages.

Art installations and shop fit-outs

How are cameras mounted inside a shop or showroom?

Non-destructive mounting methods are utilised to suit the available surfaces and camera positions. These can include wood cowling, silicone and heavy-duty hook-and-loop fastenings.

How are camera positions chosen for art installations?

Camera positions are chosen to show the making or installation of the artwork without obstructing the artist or the public. The Antonia Mrljak studio film used a non-destructive wall mount opposite the artwork. The Sydney Airport sand sculpture film used a camera mounted high on an opposite light pole.

Are site photographs available during a fit-out or art project?

Site photographs are available free anytime

Graeme Beck - Award Winning Cinematographer Graeme Beck - Cinematographer

Why we don't compete on the lowest price

If you are simply looking for the cheapest camera to strap to a pole, we might not be the right fit. At Electric Films, our pricing is built entirely around reliability and risk mitigation.

Because construction milestones only happen once, our fees include the assurance of custom 45MP HDR systems, daily remote monitoring, physical site visits for maintenance, and post-production stabilisation. We ensure you receive guaranteed, presentation-ready footage rather than an expensive missed opportunity.