Frame By Frame Animation

Are you looking for an animator or an animation studio to help you create a frame by frame animation? If so, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter works with clients around the world to turn their ideas into custom animated videos – including frame by frame animations.

In this guide, we’ll answer all of your top questions about making a frame by frame animation, including:

• How do I work with Video Igniter to create a frame by frame animation?
• What makes frame by frame animation different from other forms of animation?
• How much does it cost to make a frame by frame animation?
• How long does it take to create a frame by frame animation?

Answers to all these questions and more are coming up in this guide – including tips to help you save 10%-25% or more off your production budget when you hire Video Igniter to create your frame by frame animation. But first, let’s take a look at examples of frame by frame animations that Video Igniter’s production team can create for you:

Frame by Frame Animation Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.

Are you looking for a different type of animation example? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production example you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production samples.

How to make a frame by frame animation with Video Igniter

When you’re ready to make a frame by frame animation, Video Igniter will guide you through these 7 steps to turn your idea into a custom animated video.

1). Get In Touch To Get A Quote

Before we start making your video, get in touch with us by scheduling a call with our production team or sending us a message. This gives us an opportunity to learn about the frame by frame animation you want us to create. We’ll meet with you virtually or send you questions via email to figure out the scope of the project.

Once we agree to the scope of the project, you will receive a production agreement to sign and an invoice for 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Now that production is underway, our writers will develop the script for your frame by frame animation. In order to help us write the script, our writers will meet with you virtually or send you a list of questions to learn the following information:

• Who is your target audience?
• What problems do they experience?
• What key messages do you want to convey?
• After people watch your animation, what do you want them to do?

With this information in hand, our writers will write the first draft of your video’s script. You will receive a link to a digital copy of the script which you can review with your team and members of your target audience. We recommend using the comments feature to add your feedback directly on the digital script document.

Once all the feedback is in, our writers will revise your script according to the feedback and then send you the 2nd draft to review and approve. If additional edits are needed, our writers will continue to work with you to revise and polish your script until it’s perfect.

3). Storyboard

Next, we turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard functions like the blueprint for your frame by frame animation. Each page includes:

• A sentence from your script.
• A mockup of the scene.
• Bullet point instructions that describe how elements will move in each scene.

When the storyboard is ready, you will receive a link to view a digital copy of the storyboard that you and your team can add comments on. After all the revision notes are in, our team will revise the storyboard and share the 2nd draft with you to review and approve.

If additional edits are needed, our team will work with you to update the storyboard until you love it.

4). VoiceOver

You will receive a hand-picked list of voiceover auditions for your frame by frame animation. Give them listen and let us know which one is your favorite. We will hire that voiceover artist and coach them through the tone and energy they should use for the recording. We will also take care of acquiring the appropriate licenses so we can legally use the recording in your animation.

When the full recording is ready, you will get a chance to listen to it and request edits before we use it to make your animation.

5). Soundtrack

You will also receive a selection of hand-picked soundtracks that will enhance the presentation of key moments in your frame by frame animation. Give them a listen and let us know which option is your favorite. We will take care of acquiring the appropriate licenses so we can legally use the music in your video.

6). Illustrations

Now it’s time to create the art for your frame by frame animation. Video Igniter’s art director will review your brand guidelines and any style references you may have shared. Then they will select a few key scenes from your storyboard and design custom concept art based on those scenes.

When you review the concept art, it’s important to share your honest opinions. Let the art director know what you like and dislike about each concept. This way the art director can work with you to polish and perfect your favorite piece of concept art.

Once you approve the concept art, the art director will oversee a team of illustrators while they turn the keyframes in your storyboard into art that matches the style of the concept art. You will be given an opportunity to review all of the illustrations and request revisions before we animate your video.

7). Animation

After everything gets your approval, it’s time to create your frame by frame animation.

Video Igniter’s animators will line up all of the illustrations so they are synced up with the timing of the voiceover. Then, they will individually draw all of the animation frames that happen in between the key frames. This is what makes your animation come to life!

This process can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of your animation.

When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a watermarked copy of your frame by frame animation. We invite you to share the animation with your team and members of your target audience so that you get a wide range of feedback. After you’ve organized all the feedback, send it our way, and we will integrate your revisions.

Once you approve the animation, our sound team will take an additional day or two to add subtle sound effects and to balance the audio levels between the voiceover soundtrack and sound effects so that everything sounds loud and clear.

You will be able to download the unwatermarked version of your frame by frame animation after you pay the final invoice for your project.

What makes frame by frame animation different from other forms of animation?

Frame by frame animation is the original form of animation. Traditionally, frame by frame animation was created by individually drawing each frame of the animation (12-30 frames per second of video).

Animators still draw each frame individually to create ultra smooth looking movements – but now a days, animators do most of the drawing on computers and tablets instead of paper. This provides many technological and production advantages which help animators do a better job in less time (compared to drawing on paper).

Frame by frame animation is also referred to as:

Cel Animation

Traditional Animation

Hand Drawn Animation

How much does it cost to make a frame by frame animation?

Frame by frame projects tend to start at a rate of $6,000-$7,500/minute of content but they’re more likely to be north of $10,000 per minute.

To put this into context, the animation cost for an episode of The Simpsons ranges between $10,000-$25,000 for each minute of the show. This doesn’t factor in the costs associated with writing the show or paying the voice actors.

Here are 4 ways you can get a quote for your frame by frame animation:

1). Send us a message to get a custom quote for your animation.

2). Schedule a call with our production team.

3). Request access to our pricing page.

4). Fill out this digital questionnaire about your video.

How long does it take to create a frame by frame animation?

Frame by frame animation requires more time and attention to create compared to standard 2D computer animation. In general, we recommend you allocate 8-12 weeks to go through the full production process for a 60-second animation.

If you need to speed up the production process, send us a message and ask us about rush delivery.

Deep Dive: How long does it take to animate a 1 minute video?

Frame By Frame Animation Budget Saving Tips

Combine these tips to save 10%-25% or more off your production budget when you hire Video Igniter to create your frame by frame animation.

1). Write The Script

Writing the script for your frame by frame animation earns you a discount of $500 off the price of each minute of animation we create for you. Download our script writing template for tips to help you write your script.

2). Use Free, Legal Music

Incompetech and Facebook’s sound collection provide libraries of free music that we can use to make your frame by frame animation. If you select a song from one of those sites, we will deduct music licensing costs from your production budget.

3). Create The Storyboard

Creating the storyboard for your frame by frame animation earns you an additional discount of $500 off the price of each minute of animation we create for you. Download our storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to learn how easy it is to create your own storyboard – no artistic ability needed!

4). Record The VoiceOver

If you record the voiceover for your frame by frame animation, we’ll deduct voiceover recording and licensing costs from your production budget.

5). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process to meet your deadline – but it can increase your production budget by 10%-25% or more! To minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery, schedule a call with our production team or send us a message ASAP so we can start planning your frame by frame video project.

Frame By Frame Animation Production Resources

These resources are popular among people researching and reading about ways to make a frame by frame animation:

How To Pick The Right Visual Style For Your Animated Video?

Video Igniter’s Animated Video Production FAQ

How To Create A Motion Graphics Animation

Still have questions about frame by frame animation?

Do you have a question about frame by frame animation that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.

 

Looking For An Animated Video Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Couldn’t be happier with Derek and his team. The quality of the work for the cost far exceeded expectations and surpasses anything in the market. Derek was patient, offered many revisions, and was overall great to work with.”

Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.