Understanding Video Production Services

Attention spans are shrinking and competition for clients is relentless, so how do you get the most from your video content strategy?

Recent statistics reveal that a staggering 91% of businesses incorporate video into their marketing strategies, underlining its effectiveness and widespread consumer appeal.

Whether you need an explainer video, a brand film, or an immersive, interactive video, teaming up with a professional video production company ensures that your content is not only visually appealing, but strategically crafted to engage your audience and effectively convey your intended message.

Professional video production services handle every stage of the process, from pre- production to post- production, ensuring a seamless journey from the initial concept to the final delivery.

You can gain a deeper understanding of how video production services assist you at each stage of the production process here.

In this blog, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about video production services, including:

 

• What are Animated Explainer Videos?
• Why Should Businesses Consider Animated Explainer Videos?
• How Long Does Production Take?
• What is Live Action Video Production?
• What Are the Costs Involved in Live Action Production?
• How Do You Choose the Right Location for Shooting?
• How Do Motion Graphics Enhance Video Production?
• How Do Motion Graphics Enhance Video Production?
• What Software is Used to Create Motion Graphics?
• What to Look for in a Video Production Company?
• How to Prepare for a Video Production Consultation?

 

What Are Animated Explainer Videos?

Animated explainer videos are short videos that use animation to explain a complex idea, product, or service in a simple and engaging way.

 They typically combine voice-over, music, sound effects, and visuals to tell a story and convey a message.

The best animated explainer videos reflect both the brand and the campaign message through its design. In some cases, this will mean characters imbued with the brand’s personality and behaviour. In others, this might mean impactful, direct kinetic type animation reflective of the brand’s approach

Take a look at an example of our work with Hiscox, this direct, relatable campaign brought to life their famous print style for digital marketing:

 

 

Why Should Businesses Consider Animated Explainer Videos?

Animated explainer videos have a myriad of benefits for businesses, such as:

Animated explainer videos increase engagement and retention

• Animated explainer videos effectively capture and maintain your audience’s attention. They use sound and visuals to stimulate both auditory and visual senses, resulting in a 68% increase in message retention. This ensures your brand stays top-of-mind and maintains a strong presence amidst a competitive market landscape.

Explainer videos simplify complex concepts

• Animated explainer videos reduce cognitive load by transforming complex concepts into digestible, visually engaging segments so viewers can easily grasp the presented content. As Hubspot’s Sam Blater aptly puts it, “Nothing sticks in your head better than a story. Stories can express the most complicated ideas in the most digestible ways.”

Talking of digestible, our series of explainer animations for Grundon brought to life the process of turning waste into something useful, including this film about about energy from waste:

• Effective explainer animations leverage visual storytelling, triggering our brains to release oxytocin. Oxytocin plays a crucial role in learning and memory, facilitating better understanding and retention of the information presented. You can find out more in our blog on Understanding Neuroscience’s Role in Storytelling.

Animated explainers showcase your brand personality

• Animated explainer videos can reflect your brand identity and tone of voice, using colors, fonts, characters, and styles that match your brand guidelines.

Animated explainer videos increase website traffic and conversions

• Adding an animated explainer video to your landing page can draw traffic to your website and increase the conversion rate by a massive 80%. Videos can also improve your SEO ranking, as they increase the dwell time and reduce the bounce rate of your website

How Long Does Production Take?

The production time of an animated explainer video depends on several factors, such as the length, complexity, and style of the video, as well as the feedback and revisions process.

As with many fields, video production companies must balance budget and timeframe against overall quality. Our blog about ‘The Creative Triangle’ goes into more detail. But in a nutshell, to deliver the very best quality requires either more time or more budget.

However, for a typical timeline when creating an animated explainer video our general guidance is as follows:

• Discovery and Scriptwriting: 1-2 weeks.

This is the stage where the agency finds out everything about the brand and the brief. Then, they define the creative strategy, prepare treatments, create moodboards and write the voice-over or text-animation script.

• Storyboarding: 1-2 weeks.

Once the story and style are approved, the next stage involves creating sketches to work out the visual story called ‘scamp storyboards’. These scamps are then artworked into ‘styleframe storyboards’ which are keyframes from the animation and look exactly as the final video will

At this stage, a client should have full confidence in the final output. They will have seen the script brought to life visually and signed-off both the flow and style of the film.

• Animation: 2-3 weeks.

This is the stage where you bring your storyboard to life, using software such as After Effects for 2D animation and/or Cinema 4D for 3D animations.

Longer timelines are needed for complex 3D animation or when the animated explainer involves the use frame-by-frame traditional cel animation.

• Sound design: 1-2 days.

This is the stage where you add the voice-over, music, and sound effects to your video, enhancing the mood and impact of your message.

• Delivery: 1 week

 This is the stage where you finalize and export your video, ensuring that it meets the quality and format standards of your platform and audience.

The total production time of an animated explainer video can range from 4 – 8 weeks, depending on the scope and scale of your project.

However, you can speed up the process by having a clear vision of what you want, providing timely and specific feedback, and working with a reliable and experienced video production company.

What is Live Action Video Production?

Live action video production is the process of creating a video using real people, places, and objects, rather than animation. Live action videos allow for the authentic portrayal of emotions, expressions, and actions of both actors and their surroundings.

For more information on our process to action filming explore our page on the topic here.

Check out a live action film brand film we created for Park Leisure, capturing their unique offerings of luxury and the serene beauty of nature:

 

 

 

What Are the Costs Involved in Live Action Production?

The costs of live action production can vary widely, depending on the type of video you’re going for, how long it is, and how polished you want it to look. It all boils down to what resources and services you need to make it happen.

If you’re curious about specific factors that can affect pricing, here are some key considerations:

• Crew

The crew is the team of talented professionals who work on the production of your video, such as the director, producer, director of photography (DOP), sound engineer, editor, and so on.

The size and expertise of your crew will affect the cost of your video, as well as the quality and efficiency of your production.

• Actors

The actors are the people who perform in your video, either as the main characters or adding depth as extras.

The number and calibre of your actors will influence the video’s cost as well as the authenticity and appeal of your story.

• Locations

Choosing the right locations really sets the tone for your video.

The number and type of locations you pick will not only impact the cost but also determine how visually appealing and relevant your message comes across.

• Post-production

Post-production is where the magic happens – you edit, colour grade, add music, add sound effects, and polish your video.

Depending on how detailed and extensive this stage is, will impact the cost of your video, as well as the quality and impact of your final product.

Here are some examples on how project costs can vary, illustrated by real-life examples from our diverse clientele:

• One of our clients, Grosvenor Group, opted for a ‘talking heads’ interview style for their live-action video This approach allowed us to utilise natural lighting and avoid the costs of hiring a location. This approach also led to a streamlined post-production process. As a result, we delivered a high-quality production that was both cost-effective and impactful, with the final costs resting between £8,000 and £10,000. Here’s the outcome:

On the other hand, TMF had a different vision. Their project called for studio, set design and props, as well as professional lighting, motion graphics, and the talent of an actress. This required a more substantial investment. Projects like this can range in cost from £15,000 to £30,000, reflecting the complexity of the project.

The average cost of live action production is very dependent on the creative, but is typical between £10,000 and £20,000 per minute of video, depending on the factors mentioned above. However, you can reduce the cost of your video by planning ahead, choosing the right video production company, and optimising your budget.

 

How Do You Choose the Right Location for Shooting?

Finding the perfect location for your live action video is key – it sets the mood, meaning, and style, shaping the entire look and feel of your project.

Here are some of our top tips on how to select the best location for your video:

• Know Your Audience and Message

Choose a location that speaks directly to your audience and reflects your brand essence. Ensure it complements your story and message seamlessly. A mismatch between your location, audience expectations, and your message can dilute the impact of your video and leave viewers feeling disconnected.

• Research and Scout

Hunt for locations that match your concept and budget. Assess their availability, accessibility, lighting, sound, and space. Take plenty of photos and videos to see how they align with your creative vision. After all, you don’t want to begin filming only to realise the location doesn’t quite fit the story you want to tell.

• Obtain Permissions

Secure legal rights to your chosen location by obtaining consent from owners or managers and acquiring necessary permits from local authorities. Make sure to fulfil any financial obligations promptly to avoid delays in your production schedule.

• Prepare for Challenges

Be prepared for unexpected challenges! Whether its sudden weather changes or technical hiccups, having backup plans and budgets in place give you confidence to adapt and overcome obstacles with ease.

With professional video production services, you gain expertise in location selection, ensuring that your video not only meets your creative vision but also resonates effectively with your audience. What’s more, experienced professionals have faced and conquered numerous challenges. They can draw from their wealth of knowledge to ensure that your project unfolds smoothly.

 

How Do Motion Graphics Enhance Video Production?

Motion design is the art of combining dynamic visuals and animated graphics to create engaging and immersive content. By incorporating movement, shape, color, and text, they produce striking visual effects and effectively convey information.

Our brains are inherently wired to detect motion—a survival instinct ingrained through evolution. As a result, our eyes instinctively gravitate towards movement, making motion graphics a powerful tool for capturing and maintaining audience attention.

Some ways motion graphics enhance video production include:

• Highlighting Key Points and Data

Motion graphics effortlessly draw attention to the most critical aspects of your message. They present statistics or quotes in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. By incorporating charts, graphs, and diagrams, they transform complex information into captivating visuals, ensuring your audience remains engaged and well-informed.

• Creating Transitions and Connections

Imagine being able to seamlessly blend different scenes or segments in your video to create a smooth, flowing narrative. Motion graphics make this possible, playing a crucial role in maintaining coherence and guiding viewers through maps, timelines, or branded elements, keeping them immersed in your story.

• Adding Style and Personality

Motion graphics amplify brand identity and voice through colour schemes, fonts, and icons aligned with brand guidelines. Imagine a health and wellness brand using calming pastel colors and soft, organic shapes in their motion graphics to create a soothing and approachable vibe that resonates with their audience.

• Complementing Other Video Type

Motion graphics are incredibly versatile.  They partner perfectly with live-action or animated videos, adding that extra layer of pizzazz. They are equally effective as standalone pieces, ideal for explainer videos, logo animations, websites, and social media content

Discover the fusion of motion graphics and live-action filming in our latest creation for the Grosvenor Group. We’ve artfully blended authentic storytelling with live-action filming and motion design to promote Grosvenor’s remarkable retrofit program.

Here’s a showcase of how motion graphics can stand out on their own, as demonstrated in our work with BW: Workplace experts. We’ve masterfully combined 2D and 3D elements to give a dynamic and modern edge to the brand’s identity of  BW’s new in-house agency, D+B.

 

 

Explore the transformative power of motion graphics used alongside animation with our project for Tate and Lyle.

What Software is Used to Create Motion Graphics?

There are many software tools available for creating motion graphics, each with its own features and advantages.

 Some of the most common software tools used in the industry are:

• Adobe After Effects

 Imagine having a powerful toolbox at your fingertips for creating and editing motion graphics, visual effects, and animations. Adobe After Effects lets you do just that! You can also seamlessly import and export files from other Adobe favorites like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Premiere Pro.

• Adobe Animate

 This is software that allows you to create and publish interactive animations, using vector graphics, audio, and video. Plus, you can export your work to various formats like HTML5, WebGL, or Flash.

• Blender

 For those who want to dive into 3D creativity without breaking the bank, Blender is the tool for you. This is a free and open-source software that allows you to create and render 3D animations, motion graphics, and visual effects. Additionally, you can also use it for modeling, sculpting, texturing, and lighting.

• Cinema 4D

This is software that allows you to create and animate 3D motion graphics, using advanced tools and features. Plus, its seamless integration with software like After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator means you can streamline your workflow.

 

What to Look for in a Video Production Company?

Choosing the right video production company is essential, as it can determine the quality and success of your video project.

Here are key factors to keep in mind:

• Expertise Across Video Types

Look for a company that isn’t limited to one type of video production. Whether you’re envisioning an animated explainer, a captivating live-action piece, or dynamic motion graphics, versatility is key. Ensure they offer comprehensive services from initial scriptwriting to final sound design, guaranteeing a seamless production process.

• Portfolio Quality and Diversity

 Assess their portfolio for high-quality, diverse videos aligning with your industry and preferred style. A robust portfolio demonstrates versatility and competence. This diversity not only demonstrates their creativity but also their ability to adapt to various client needs and preferences.

• Communication and Collaboration

Prioritise companies with transparent communication channels, keeping you engaged throughout production. The best project outcomes stem from teams that values your ideas as much as you do. Look for a collaborative approach, valuing your input and adapting to your need so that  your vision remains at the heart of the project, while benefiting from their expertise and creative input.

• Reputation and Reviews

Research the company’s reputation and reviews to gauge reliability and professionalism. Testimonials and referrals from satisfied clients offer valuable insights into their track record.

• Value and Affordability

While quality comes at a price, transparency is non-negotiable. Look for a company that offers fair pricing without hidden costs, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

You can find more information on choosing the right video production company here.

 

How to Prepare for a Video Production Consultation?

Preparing for a video production consultation is key to making sure you get the most out of your meeting. It’s your chance to talk about your video project and get a feel for what the company can offer.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready:

• Define your goal and message.
• Research and gather inspiration.
• Prepare your questions and expectations.
• Be open and honest.
• Have a budget in mind!

You can find additional tips on creating a strong brief for a creative agency here to ensure your vision shines through clearly.

 

Start Your Video Production Journey

Video production is not just about making content; it’s about creating a narrative that resonates with your audience and amplifies your brand’s voice.  No matter what kind of video you need, whether it’s an animated explainer, live action footage, or captivating motion graphics, finding the right production company is essential to turn your vision into reality!

At Content Creatures, we believe we are more than just a production company; we are your creative partners.  Our team is dedicated to bringing your ideas from initial concept to life in the final product, accompanying you at every stage to ensure your vision not only meets but surpasses expectations.

Our portfolio demonstrates our diverse and high-quality video work, driven by our passion for excellence.

If you have any further questions about video production, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to answer all your questions and guide you through the process.

Or if you’re ready to kick off your video production journey, schedule a free consultation with our creative team today! We’re excited to hear from you and help bring your next video project to life!