How To Make An Animation Clip

Do you want to learn how to make an animation clip to add to a video – but aren’t sure how to get started?

You’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to learning how to make animated video clips teaches you everything you need to know, including:

✅  How much does it cost to make an animated video clip?

✅  What are the different ways to make an animation clip.

✅  How long does it take to make an animation clip?

✅  Tips to help you save money when you make an animation clip.

 

First, let’s take a look at some examples of animation clips that Video Igniter can create for you!

Examples Of Animation Clips Video Igniter Can Make For You

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation clip for you. You don’t need to have any video production experience to create professional animations with Video Igniter!

You can review some production examples below, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet here.

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

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

 

How To Make An Animation Clip With Video Igniter?

1). Contact Us

To start making your animation clip, send us a message or schedule a call with our production team. We’ll work with you to develop a production budget and plan to create your perfect animation clip. We’ll also ask questions to get to know details like:

❓ What kind of animation do you want to create? (2D? 3D? Cel Animation? Motion Graphics?)

❓ What do you want to communicate in your animation?

❓ Who is the target audience for your animation?

❓ Will you be integrating this animated video clip into another video – and if so, how?

2). Script

Our script writing team will develop the first draft of the script for your animated video clip. You will receive a notification when the first draft is ready to review. Send us your revision notes and comments so that we can revise your script. You get another chance to review the script and request edits or mark at is approved so that we can move on to the next stage of production.

3). Storyboard

Storyboards act like blueprints for animated videos. They tell the illustrators and animators what to create for each part of your animated video clip. When the first draft of your storyboard is ready, we recommend reviewing it to ensure the visuals make sense and that there is enough detail in the descriptions of the visuals. We want to ensure that the illustrators and animators know what level of visual detail needs to be included for each scene. Send us your revisions and we’ll update your storyboard accordingly.

4). VoiceOver

You will receive voiceover auditions for each voice that is used in your animation clip. Give them all a listen and then select your favorite voiceover artist. We’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover and send it to you to review. Let us know if there are any parts of the audio that you’d like us to re-record.

5). Soundtrack

Music is used to enhance key moments of your animation clip. We’ll select a few options for you to consider. Select your favorite soundtrack and we’ll purchase the license so that we can legally use the audio in your animation clip.

6). Illustrations

You will receive several pieces of concept art for your animation clip. Let our art director know which one you like best. You can also collaborate with them to refine the details of the visual style until it’s perfect.

Then, the art director will oversee the creation of all of the illustrations for your animation. You get an opportunity to review all of them and request revisions before approving the art for production.

7). Animation

Now that everything has been approved, we can animate your video clip. When it’s ready, give the first draft a detailed review. If you hired Video Igniter to create an animation clip to stick into another video, we recommend you test to ensure the animation clip works as intended within the context of the other footage. Let us know if you’d like us to make any final revisions and then we’ll render out the final draft of your animation clip.

What are some other ways to make animation clips?

1. Professional Animation Software

If you have someone on your team that knows how to use Adobe After Effects, ToonBoom, Cinema 4D or any other kind of professional animation software, it may be fastest, easiest and cost-effective to loop them in to create the animation clip for you.

2. Hire a Freelancer

You can try hiring a freelance animator to create your animation clip. Just be advised that many freelancers don’t like taking on short video projects because it’s harder for them to make enough money on the project to make it worth their time.

3. Use Animated Video Templates 

There are simple online animation maker platforms which you can use to create simple animated clips online. These services include libraries of pre-created templates and stock assets which you can use to lay out each scene like a digital collage. Then, you drag and drop ‘animation commands’ onto the images to tell the image how they should move. You can then export your animation clip to use in another video.

4. A.I.

As of January 2024, text to animation AI programs can be used to create short, 1-8 second animated clips. These clips tend to have limited motion detail in them – usually just panning in, out or side to side. More complex animations are possible but it is trickier to get the details accurate.

 

How much does it cost to make an animation clip?

This depends largely on the length of the animation clip and the style of animation that’s used to make the clip. Most 60-second, 2D animated video clips can be created for $1,500-$7,500. 3D animated clips can cost 2-4x more to make.

Most animation clips can be created in a 2-6 weeks. Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up production.

 

How to save money when you make an animation clip

Combine these ideas to save $1,000 or more off the cost of producing your animation clip.

1). Don’t Rush Production

Start your project sooner than you think you need to. The more time you have available for production, the less likely you’ll need to pay extra to rush production ahead of your project deadline.

2). Create The Script & Storyboard For Your Animation Clip

You can hire Video Igniter to create the script and storyboard for your animated video clip – or you can download our free script writing template and storyboard template to save $1,000 or more off your production budget.

3). Record Your Voiceover

Professional voiceover artists cost $50-$1,000 or more to hire for animated video projects. You can skip this cost by recording your own professional quality voiceover at home for free. No need to buy any expensive equipment or professional software. Check out 1:31 in this video to learn how.

4). Use Free, Legal Music

Most stock soundtracks can be licensed for $50-$500. You can skip this cost by sourcing free music from Incompetech or Facebook’s Sound Collection.

Still have questions about how to make an animation clip?

Do you have a question about how to make an animation clip 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 our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

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.

“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 with our production team 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.