Animation Production Process

Short and compelling animated videos can easily explain concepts, products, and services by breaking them down into simple and attractive motion visuals. Animated explainers are also particularly useful for sharing ideas in a world with short attention spans and a craving for flashy images and content.

Got an idea? Our animated video company got the video for you.

Here we’ll talk about the animation production process and how we put all the pieces together to make an explainer video.

1. Brief & Research

Every marketing video starts with a conversation about an idea. Our team of researchers talks with you to learn as much about your product, service, or issue as possible. The process of research also evaluates the market to figure out the best method for putting out the right message in the best way for your brand.

2. Script & Concept

The script is a crucial element in creating a killer explainer video. Before a single image is even put into motion for the explainer video, we talk to you to plan the concept.

Our video production creative team puts their heads together for nailing the right concept which is then fleshed out into a full script. The key is to present the message in the simplest, most comprehensive manner to your target audience.

3. Mood Board & Storyboard

We will send you several mood boards (a type of collage consisting of images intended to project a particular style or concept) and sketch out a storyboard that shows how the script will play out – scene by scene.

4. Style & Illustrations

Next we will send you 2-3 custom, full-color visuals that will give you an accurate idea of what the finished video will look like. Depending on your video, this may include text, characters, backgrounds, icons and more. After you sign off, we will create the full story with the final visuals. This process includes the design of all the characters and the environments in the animated explainer video.

5. Voice Over

The most engaging male or female voices with the right accent are selected from our pool of talent to set the right pace for the animated explainer video. The perfect voice over reinforces the message of the video and can make a world of a difference.

6. Animation

Once the script and storyboard are approved, we move on to putting the words into action. The animation & motion graphics phases involve building the necessary images to go with the message. This phase requires great attention to detail and each step ensures that the visuals created in the production stage reflect the initial concept.

7. Post Production & Revisions

This is the stage that gives the video its final look. Post-production involves the complete process of creating and editing the sound mixing, background music, and graphics including lower thirds. Once the video is finalized, we send it to you for feedback and make any needed revisions.

Finally, your video is ready to be shared with the world.

Animation Production Process FAQ

What Is Pre-Production In An Explainer Video Process

Production is the actual work process of making the video. So then, pre-production is everything before that. Research, concept talks, and scriptwriting are all part of the pre-production process. Production officially begins when visuals start being created.

What Is Post-Production?

Post-Production is the final stage of animation production: everything that comes after the main production is finished. It includes the final polishing of animation, editing, adding the soundtrack and sound effects. After the video is ready for export, you can render it in a format and dimensions that fit your delivery channels.

What Is A “Pipeline” In Animation Video Production?

Animation production pipeline is essentially the workflow, and there’s a very specific order that the work has to move in. Generally, an animated video production pipeline flows like this:

1. Research
2. Concept
3. Script
4. Style Frame
5. Storyboard
6. Voice over
7. Animation
8. Soundtrack and sound effects
9. Full video
10. Finalization

What Are The Main Factors That Influence Production Price?

Usually, production price varies based on:

• Quality of work (how complicated and detailed the animation is)
• Visuals (3D takes much more time and therefore is more expensive than 2D)
• Illustrations
• Music (custom or stock?)
• Sound FX
• VO artist
• Length
• How fast you need it

How Do I Choose The Best Animation Style For My Brand?

Depending on your marketing goals, we’ll send you references (including prior videos and mood boards) that we may think could fit your business and you’ll make your choice.

Can The Video Use Our Company's Colors And Assets?

Absolutely! We always incorporate any fonts, logos, colors, or other brand standards you have to fit the video to your company.

I Have My Own Illustrations. Can We Use Them In The Video?

The short answer is YES.

Just sometimes the images need to have been created in a scalable (vector) format so that we can work with them and they’ll look crisp in video form.

Sometimes visuals created for websites and design aren’t made that way and look poor when used in video. However, if we can re-create the visual in a vector format, then it is possible.

Do You Provide Support After Production Is Finished?

Yes. We save all assets and project files in case you’d like to make any changes or adjustments in the future. This can happen when a logo or slogan changes.

Can You Help Me With Script?

Sure, we can help you with the script as well as create the concept for your marketing message

If I Already Have My Own Script, Can We Use That?

Sure. We will also help you edit it and make sure it works well as an animated video. Many provided scripts are well written but without animation in mind so we are happy to help make sure everything is aligned to work in the animated explainer video style.

Can We Mix Live Action Video Or Screen Capture In Our Animated Video?

Yes, that is possible.

What Other Content Can You Create For My Business Other Than Video?

We can also provide illustrations and GIFs for AdWords marketing.

What Software Do You Use For Production?

We use the best, industry standard software on the market which is the Adobe suite of products. It includes Photoshop and Illustrator for creating visuals, After Effects for animation and effects, and Premiere for editing and finalization.

How Many People Are Involved In The Production Process?

When you work with Yans, you get the talents of an entire team. This generally includes a creative director managing the project, a scriptwriter, two 2D animators, storyboard artist, 2 illustrators, VO artist, sound designer, and editor.

How Long Does The Animation Production Process Take?

Most projects take between 6 and 8 weeks from start to finish.

How Does Your Revision Work?

You’ll have 2 free revisions for every stage in the process except for the VO stage, which has 1.

However, you can have unlimited revisions for an agreed price.

NOTE:
Once a stage is approved and we move on, it is considered finalized.
For example, if we are at the animation stage, we can’t go back and make script changes. Building a video is like building a house — once the windows are in you’ve moved on to painting the walls, the amount of time, money, and work needed to go back and change where the windows are is pretty much impossible. That is why we make sure everything is finalized before moving to the next step.