Producing explainer videos is a multi-step process that involves more experts than one.

An explainer video production team typically consists of a scriptwriter, storyboard artist, illustrator, animator, voiceover artist, and sound effects artist. Each of these six actors contributes in a unique way to the video production.

Here is a step by step description of the video production process.

Step I – Understanding the Client Brief

The first step in the explainer video production process is to review the customer brief (a questionnaire completed by the customer), to understand their business entity and video requirements. Usually, it is the writer who goes through this process. In case of doubts or queries, an interaction between the scriptwriter and the client is organized.

Step II: Research and brainstorming

After collecting all the relevant customer information, secondary research is done (if necessary) to better understand the business. The summary is explained to the storyboard artist and animator. After they both understand the outline, they sit down with the scriptwriter to visualize the story of the video, decide on characterizations and other visual elements, and finalize how those elements will be animated. Once everything is decided, the video script is drawn up.

Step III: Script and voice-over

Based on the discussion, the explanatory video script is drawn up and sent to the client for approval. Typically, a 60 second explainer video script contains 150-160 words. This script acts as the ‘frame’ around which the video is sculpted. Once approved, the script is recorded as a voice-over, which at a later stage is placed as background narration in the explainer video.

Step IV: Storyboard and Illustration

”A storyboard is a graphic organizer in the form of illustrations or images that are displayed in sequence for the purpose of previewing a movie, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence.”- Wikipedia

Basically, storyboarding is drawing the scenes of the video, frame by frame. Storyboarding is done on the basis of the final script. Once the storyboard is done, it is submitted for client approval. Once approved, the storyboard goes through illustration (colorization) and is once again sent to the client for approval.

Step V: Animation and Sound Effects

Once the client approves the fully illustrated storyboard, the animation process begins. This process is of course very time consuming as it is not an easy job to carry out. static characters/storyboard elements for life. The animation is done based on the final voice-over, thus ensuring a correct synchronization between the audio and the visual.

Eventually, the animation and voiceover are integrated to form the video. Sound effects are added to this video. Sound effects enhance the overall quality of the video and help create subtle humor.

The final video is submitted for your approval.

Step VI: Delivery

Once approved, the final video along with its source files is delivered to the client. According to the client’s requirement, the video is delivered in ‘mov’, ‘avi’ and/or ‘mp4’ format(s). Thus ends the production process of the explanatory video.

In conclusion

If you are planning to produce an animated video, you should be aware that no matter which explainer video style you choose for your video, it takes a long time to produce. Therefore, in order to have a high-quality video, the production team must have enough time to conceptualize and produce it. Play an amazing video and experience its benefits!