Doodles in Motion™

Our Explainer video Production Process

Each animation follows the same basic process to get produced on time and within budget:

1. Concept

2. Script

3. Storyboard

4. Illustration

5. Animation

6. Final Video

The key drivers of production budget are the length of your script and the style of animation.

The Style

Style plus substance determines impact.

You are most likely familiar with the animated whiteboard videos. Unlike other producers, our whiteboard videos are highly illustrative, featuring well-drawn characters and attention to detail. (See example video: Harvard University)

We have also been producing more 2D flat art style animation, with more characters and sets to demonstrate concrete events and technologies. (See example video: Electronic Health Records)

STEP 1: Concept

What is the Big Idea?

This is the stage where we collectively walk through the content you have, the audience segment you are targeting, and possible storylines, metaphors, characters, visual models, etc. 

This can be helpful before the script stage or in parallel, as it determines the tone and character of the voiceover.

Then we will send a Concept Brief describing the illustration style, the narrative structure, the larger model or metaphor, and the plan for execution.

STEP 2: Script

What is the story you want to tell?

This is what drives the whole project and determines the final production timeline and budget.

Here is a basic calculation we find helpful in determining the length of script:

1-minute = 130 words

2-minute = 260 words

3-minute = 390 words

4-minute = 520 words

5-minute = 650 words

This online calculator is pretty accurate: http://www.speechinminutes.com/

Once we know the script length, we calculate the number of hours our team needs for illustration, creative direction, animation, video editing, etc.

STEP 3: Storyboards

For the standard project, we produce two versions: (1) a rough pencil version to block out scenes and characters, followed by (2) a detailed storyboard with close-to-final artwork.

STEPS 4-6: Final Production

We schedule a call with you to review each version.

After we receive a green light, we move to the final illustration and animation. We will produce a couple of draft video proofs along the way to ensure that everything is in line with the script and concept. Then upload a final video that your team can download to post online or use in a presentation.

TIMELINE

We will build a timeline together.

We aim to produce these in 3-4 weeks, but this also depends upon managing the approvals and edits on the client side. One of our requests is that you appoint a single Client Project Lead to collect all changes and manage the process on your side. This prevents incoming messages from multiple parties and misalignment of expectations, context, and project knowledge.

BUDGET

Everyone's favorite question!

Each project is different, but they all start with a $2500 deposit and scale from there, based upon style and length.

The average ​1-3 minute explainer video runs between $​3​500 - $20,000 when we produce them from concept to completion. Much depends upon where your team is in the development of the story and how complex the final illustration and animation sequences will be.

If you are starting from the beginning, and need help getting started before committing to a full animation, we offer a 90-minute Concept Meeting to get all of the ideas out and draft an initial Design Brief for $500.