Disclosure: we make one of the options on this page, so this is not an independent review. Competitor facts come from their own websites and were checked on October 21, 2026. We say where others are the better fit. Spotted something wrong? Email us and we will fix it.
Side by side
| Hop On Stages | Speaker's Cut | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,000 flat per reel | Not published. FAQ: "You set the budget, and we'll handle the rest!" |
| Payment | 50% to begin, 50% on completion | Not published |
| Location | Fully remote | Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Filming | Available on custom quote: we film it or book a local crew (and a venue, if needed) | Yes: on-site keynote recording, "Simulated Stages", on-location b-roll |
| Edits footage you send | Yes, that is the whole service | Yes (their FAQ: "Of course!") |
| Footage you need | Any real talk footage; shot list if you have none | FAQ suggests at least 1 professionally recorded keynote with good audio, plus 2 to 3 more |
| Turnaround | 2 to 3 weeks | Not published |
| Revisions | 2 rounds | Not published |
| Booking outreach | Yes, separate done-for-you service | Not offered on their site |
| Track record | 50+ speakers | Cites 15 years and "1000's" of speakers |
What actually matters
Budget-first vs price-first
Speaker's Cut's FAQ puts it plainly: "You set the budget, and we'll handle the rest!" That approach is flexible. A speaker with a modest budget can get a smaller project, and one with a big budget can add filming and b-roll. The trade-off is that you cannot compare it to other studios until you have a conversation. Hop On Stages works the other way: one flat $3,000, 50% to begin, 50% on completion, for a full story reel. Neither is better in principle. If you like to know the number first, we are easier to evaluate; if you like a studio to scope to what you can spend, Speaker's Cut is built for that.
How much footage you need
Speaker's Cut's FAQ suggests a minimum of one professionally recorded keynote with good audio, plus two or three more. That is a sensible bar for a polished reel. We are a little more flexible about source quality: we have cut reels from mixed sources, including event clips, interviews and podcast video, as long as the audio is usable. Either way, audio is the thing that sinks reels. Planners forgive a slightly soft image; they do not forgive a muddy room mic. Our guide to making a speaker reel without professional footage covers what is salvageable.
Filming
Speaker's Cut lists filming as a core service: it can record your keynote on site, shoot b-roll on location, or produce a "Simulated Stage" session. Hop On Stages can also film, either ourselves or through a crew local to you (with a venue if needed), but it is custom work quoted on top of the flat edit, not a listed service. If you have no usable recordings and want a studio whose filming is part of how it works, especially near Philadelphia, Speaker's Cut is the more natural fit. If you do have footage, paying for a shoot is money you do not need to spend. One caution that applies to every studio offering staged sessions: planners increasingly ask whether the audience in a reel is real. Ask how staged footage is used and labelled. See how event planners evaluate speaker reels.
Speed and process
Speaker's Cut does not publish a turnaround. We deliver in 2 to 3 weeks from receiving footage, with two rounds of revisions. Everything happens by link and video call, so there is no travel on either side.
After the reel
Speaker's Cut makes reels and video. Hop On Stages also runs a separate booking outreach program that pitches you to event organizers by cold email, leading with your reel. It is quoted separately from the reel.
What Speaker's Cut is
Speaker's Cut is a speaker demo reel studio based near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It cites 15 years in business and "1000's" of speakers served. Its services include demo reel editing, on-site keynote recording, on-location b-roll and "Simulated Stages", and it edits footage that speakers send. Testimonials on its site come from speakers including Henna Pryor, Pierre Quinn, Freddy Shegog, Hiro Iwamoto and Graham Keene. It is one of the most established names in the category and a reasonable first call for any speaker who needs filming as well as editing.
Which one should you choose?
Speaker's Cut is the better choice if
- You need your keynote filmed, especially near Philadelphia
- You want a studio to scope the project to a budget you set
- You want b-roll or a staged recording session as part of the reel
- You value a 15 year track record above everything else
Hop On Stages is the better choice if
- You already have footage and want it turned into a story reel
- You want a published price: $3,000 flat, 50% to begin, 50% on completion
- You want delivery in 2 to 3 weeks and two rounds of revisions
- You want help getting booked once the reel is finished
Questions people ask
Speaker's Cut vs Hop On Stages: which should I hire?
Hire Speaker's Cut if you need filming or want a studio to scope to your budget. Hire Hop On Stages if you have footage and want a flat $3,000 reel in 2 to 3 weeks, with optional booking outreach.
How much does Speaker's Cut cost?
Speaker's Cut does not publish prices. Its FAQ says "You set the budget, and we'll handle the rest!" Ask for a written quote that lists length, revisions and deliverables.
Can Speaker's Cut edit footage I already have?
Yes. Its FAQ says it will edit assets you provide, and it suggests at least one professionally recorded keynote with good audio.
Does Hop On Stages film keynotes like Speaker's Cut?
Sometimes, on a custom quote. We can film you ourselves or contract a local crew in your area, and book a venue if needed. Most of our reels need no filming; the flat $3,000 covers editing footage you already have. You can also hire your own videographer: our filming guide explains what to ask for.
Sources
- Speaker's Cut: homepage and services
- Speaker's Cut: FAQs (budget and footage requirements)
- Hop On Stages: speaker reel production
Keep comparing
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Your next stage
Get a speaker reel that books the room.
One flat $3,000 per reel (50% to begin, 50% on completion). Edited from footage you already have, delivered in 2 to 3 weeks, with two rounds of revisions. Two minutes to see if you're a fit.