Jozzelle De Jesus
B(Int)Entertainment
15 September, 2021
What's Involved in an Animation Production?
The animation components and it's different parts
Ever wondered what is involved in creating an animation? Well not to worry! We’ve simplified it here for you. Click on each tab to read more.
The Script
Storyboards
Sound
Graphics
Video Footage
The Script
The script lets everyone know what is happening in an animation. Just like actors need a script to understand their role, animators also need one to understand what is happening. The script usually has a flow of the story and comes with an outline or description of what is happening in the scenes. If there is voice over involved, the script would also include the voice over lines for our voice actor or actress.
Normally a scriptwriter can create a script for you but you can also write your own and simply have it copyrighted. This should be geared towards your marketing plan and we advise that you have your marketing ideas ready before attempting a script.
If you are making a Lyric Animation, you won’t necessarily need a script as the lyrics would serve this purpose! You can still create one if you have a particular vision as this helps know the direction of the work.
Storyboards
After receiving the script or outline, a storyboard artist will create storyboards to refine the idea further.
Storyboards are hand-drawn (or digitally drawn) pieces to describe each scene. You don’t have to be an amazing artist to create rough storyboards (but it certainly helps), you just have to make sure that anyone can understand what is happening visually in the scenes. Often, a storyboard artist may use a key or legend to symbolise where movement might happen. Here’s an example of a storyboard:
If you want to try your hand at it and have storyboards ready before an animation, this can cut down the time and price of your animation.
Sound
Sound greatly affects the mood of the animation.
Most animations require sound effects (sfx), background music and/or voice overs (VO). Responsible creatives, always provide royalty free sound effects and can also provide voice overs of your choice. Background music is a little more complex with copyright laws. It is always recommended that you purchase a commercial license to use any background music so that you can avoid any copyright issues. Alternatively, you can also engage a sound producer or musical artist to create your own custom music if you have the budget for it.
Example: Logo Animation with royalty free sound effects.
Voice Overs
Always take notice of your voice over and ask yourself, does it target your audience? Picking the right voice can change the results of your promotional campaign. Make sure to find the right voice for your brand. Below are sample sounds but feel free to message and arrange a more suitable voice.
You may also send your own voice over to be cleaned it up but there is no quality guarantee if you do it yourself. Lyric videos (by default) would already have music by the artist.
Graphics
Graphics are the most important part of your animation! Graphics can range from photos, illustrations, and even 3D rendered images or videos.
If there are scenes that will require customised graphics, then these would need to be created prior to the production of the animation. This definitely applies to Whiteboard Animations as they require every scene to be drawn up but it can also apply to other animations like Explainer Videos.
You may also provide certain graphics for your branding. This may be your logo, photos of your products, photos of the team, or other particular graphical details.
How can I tell if I am providing good quality graphics?
Right click on your photo and look at it’s properties or info. Usually there will be a pixel dimension. If your animation is getting shown at a standard HD screen, then this is the size of 1920 x 1080 pixels. If your image file is half or less than this, then you may see some distortion when it is blown up the scale. Make sure you provide images that are bigger than the dimensions you require them in!
Video Footage
Some animations may require live footage and often people will confuse an animator with a videographer. Animators usually work only in the computer and although they can try and simulate many things that can look like reality, they will not use video equipment.
Example: Lyric Animation that has video footage with graphic elements on top.
Overlaying graphics over video footage can also be the job of visual effects artists which are otherwise known as VFX artists or editors. Although these two jobs may overlap, the VFX artist will normally specialise in adding particle effects used in explosions or other effects that require physics. Sometimes, a longer animated video can achieve a shorter production time if video footage is used.
We can edit live action footage to include animated graphics. If video is required then the client can engage an external party.
Other aspects of animation to consider
When creating an animation, there are many other different aspects that can affect your production and budget. Below, are a few questions that you might want to ask yourself (We will most likely flesh these details out with you):
- Who is the video for?
- What is it about?
- Who do you want to attract with the animation video?
- Would your target audience like the sounds you chose for the background?
- Would they like the artistic style of your animation?
- Are you trying to explain something, visualise your lyrics into artwork, or are you trying to tell a story?
- Could you tell the story without a voice over?
- Do the symbols match the message that you’re trying to convey?
Considering these factors can make the production process much easier for both you, and the animator. Remember that an animation can take time and having as much of the requirements refined at the beginning, can make everything go smoother. There will always be hiccups along the way as some details may still be overlooked, but if you persist, you will end up with the perfect animation that’s right for you.
If you’re not sure where to start, write down your ideas and if you can, put together a creative brief. You can also send a message to have a friendly chat about your project.
