How Long Does it Take to Make An Animated Video?

So, you’ve got an idea for a video.  But you also have a deadline for that video. And you have no idea how long it's going to take to make that video.

The easiest way to get the answer to that million-dollar question is, of course, to shoot us an email and we can walk you through it all in a way that is specific to your project.  But, if you’re looking for just a little bit of background knowledge before you reach out, we’ve popped some below.

Planning and Pre-production

Before the animators dive into making magic, there’s a planning phase.  This involves creative concepting, scripting, storyboarding, and defining the overall vision for the project. Depending on the complexity, this stage can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Design and Styleframes

Once the blueprint is set, it’s time to define the visual style.  This is where we take one or two key moments from the script and illustrate them to give you a sneak peek into how the final animation will look.  This step can take upwards of a day or two depending on the level of detail in your visual style.

Storyboarding

Once you’ve approved the style frames, we roll that approach out to the rest of the video, presenting it to you in a series of still frames.  This enables you to provide feedback on each shot before we add motion, making it quicker and easier for us to make any desired alterations. This step generally takes about a week but can take more time depending on the duration and level of detail of your video.

Animation

The next step in the process is adding motion.  This is where you really get to see your video come to life.  Actually, animating the storyboard can be a time-consuming process.  It requires rigging characters, making sure movements are appropriate to the style, and elements work together to direct the audience’s eye exactly where we want it to go. Simple, short animations might only take a couple of days, while more complex, longer projects (and 3D work) can take several weeks.  It’s a meticulous process that requires skill, experimentation, and patience.

VO and Sound Design

Creating a truly engaging and effective video also involves finding the right voice and sound effects for your project.  Hiring a voice actor, recording and final sound design can take about a week depending on the length and complexity of the script.

Revisions and Feedback

Along the way we factor in additional time for you and your team to review each step and ensure a collaborative process.  Depending on your team’s working times, this can take between a few hours to a few weeks – but you’ll know how long your team needs to review things better than us.

All in all, we generally like to allow for about 5 weeks for a simple 60s animation, from quoting to final delivery.  But, of course, sometimes your deadlines mean you don’t have 5 weeks, and that’s okay too.  We pride ourselves on being able to come up with creative solutions to your problems, and that includes figuring out how to deliver the best possible product within your timeline.  

So, don’t hesitate to reach out for a chat (we promise we’re friendly).  Our team can talk you through exactly what’s possible and how we can bring your vision to life within your deadline.

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