Our Process for Animation Production

The process is the mysterious part to most clients. How do we go from an idea to a fully-fledged animation? To give clients an idea of our process, we have made a visual graphic which can be seen here on our website or, under “Our Process.” However, it doesn’t outline details nor what may only be specific to animation production.

So, what are the steps of each phase for animation production?

The Animation Process

Pre- Production

Animation is more pre-production heavy. It’s very time consuming to animate, so it is critical that we are all on the same page on how it’s going to look and what the message is. As such, the Pre-Production phase includes:

1. Script - The client provides a script or some sort of guide on what they want to communicate. We will review it and make suggestions on how to make it better for animation. We can also write the script if need be but would need guidance on what you're hoping to communicate.  
2. Storyboard & Concept Art - Kohlitz then creates a storyboard based on the script and concept art for you to approve. The storyboard is typically rough sketches that convey the proposed composition and order of scenes. The concept art are fully developed images so you can get an idea of color and aesthetics that match your existing branding. These two together, are like the blueprint for the production.
3. Voiceover Audition - If you want a voiceover, we can arrange for an audition of professional voiceover talents from whom you can pick your favorite. Or, provide the voiceover that you record yourself.
4. Client Approval – Before Production is commenced, the script must be finalized, the storyboard and art approved, and optionally, a voiceover selected.

Production

We’ve done the hard but important pre-production work; the scripting, storyboard and concept art. With all these assets prepared, the client should have an idea of what to expect, and Kohlitz can proceed with the production. The animation production consists of:

1. Content Creation – This is the making and sourcing of the graphics and images that will be animated. This media will match the aesthetics of approved concept art, client branding, and any other influences the client provides. The client may also provide the media to be animated. For example, marketing agencies may have a designer on staff who can do this step.
2. Animation – The biggest step, the animation. Using the generated content, whether its graphics, text, cartoon character, or even photos, Kohlitz then animates this according to the approved storyboard and times it to a voiceover.

Post-Production

For animation, the production and post-production phases are a bit blurred as many of these steps happen concurrently with the animation steps. But for the client, the most important thing to know is that this is when you get to see the video for the first time! The steps are:

1. Music & Sound Effects – A stock music bed and appropriate sound effects are selected by Kohlitz and paired with the animation. Music and sound effects are typically licensed for web usage only unless the client specifies an intention to use the video on tv, for which then a broadcast license is required. Or the client may optionally provide the music themselves.
2. Professional Voiceover – A professional voiceover track is recorded. The animation is timed to this voiceover. Voiceover is typically licensed for web usage only unless the client specifies an intention to use the video on tv, for which then a broadcast license is required. Or, as mentioned previously, the client may optionally provide the voiceover. Kohlitz can assist with advice on how to best capture a voiceover on your own.
3. 1st Review or “75% Review” – This is when the client will first see the video, from beginning to end, complete with music and voiceover. This gives the client a chance to provide detailed feedback. Any changes outside the approved storyboard and concept art, may elicit extra costs.
4. 2nd Review or “90% Review” - The term “90%” means the almost finished product. It provides an opportunity to make minor changes and check for errors in the production. Major comments should be provided with the 75% Review.
5. Audio Mixing – Audio mixing is the process of combining and editing the levels of the voiceover, music and sound effects, so as to create a smooth and enjoyable listening experience.
6. Final Delivery – The final video will be delivered in high quality HD (1920x1080), unless specified otherwise.
7. Captions – This does not appear on the Process graphic but we will also deliver a captions file. Captions are optional text that can display during the play of a video. This gives a viewer the option to read along with what is being said. We can provide an .srt file which is basically a transcript with time codes that a computer can read. You upload that along with the video in any video host that supports captions (YouTube and Vimeo for example) and have accurate, time correct captions that are ADA compliant.

As you can see, there are many stages but Kohlitz will be taking you though this process step by step.