The Collaborative Process: How to Effectively Work with a Video Animation Company
Working with a video animation company can be a cost-effective method to generate compelling content for your organization. It’s fast, it’s easy, and more importantly, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck — but it can also be frustrating if you don’t know how to collaborate with them. You’re working with artists, and well, they can be a bit prickly. Whether you’re creating an animated explainer video, an interactive game, or something completely different, it’s crucial to understand how to effectively relate with the animation company you hire. What they need from you and what you need from them. And to foster that relationship with a dialogue and communication stream you can both understand and harness.
Effective Collaboration with a Video Animation Company
Knowing how to work effectively as a client with your preferred animation video production company can result in spectacular videos that captivate the attention of viewers. Getting them on board and properly conveying your image and idea is critical. Collaboration between the customer and the animation team also allows for the discussion of ideas, provision of feedback, and ensures that everyone is on the same page throughout the entire production process. It also guarantees that everyone is working towards the same objective and that their efforts are being utilized effectively. Companies that work effectively with a video animation studio can create high-quality videos that have a significant impact on their target audience.
How to Effectively Work with a Video Animation Company
A successful animation project requires close coordination between the client and the video animation company. Here are some important strategies for successful client-animation business collaboration:
Defining Project Objectives and Requirements
Clear goals and specifications for your content have to be provided to the animation video company right from the get-go. This will help the organization understand your vision and develop a product that meets your expectations.
Open and Transparent Communication
Maintaining open and transparent communication between all parties involved throughout the entire project is indispensable for its success. Both parties should clearly communicate their expectations, timeframe, and budget for the project. They should have a lot of back and forth — and never leave the other person hanging when it comes to a response or feedback. The video animation company should provide regular progress updates and inform their clients about any changes to the plans.
Understanding the Video Animation Process
To work effectively with a video animation company, it is important to grasp each stage of the video animation process. The animation production workflow and timeline generally include:
Week 1: Pre-Production
- Idea generation
- Identifying the video animation company
- Budget agreement
- Elaborating a Production Brief
Week 2 to 6: Production
- Script development
- Storyboarding
- Voiceover recording
- Music selection
- Designing
- Animation + Polish / Special Effects — SFX.
Week 7: Post-Production
- Follow-through and usage of your video
- AB Testing – if applicable.
Providing Detailed Project Briefs
A comprehensive project brief should include the project’s purpose, target audience, timeframe, budget, and other relevant information. This will assist the animation firm in developing an effective strategy to create an engaging video that meets your requirements. This is their rulebook and everything they do should adhere to the parameters in it. Most clients don’t supply this document – which ends up coming to bite them in the rear. Why? An effective video company will make detailed notes on all your meetings, all your communications, and everything you tell them. They’ll use those as their compass and brief. What does this mean? Well, if you don’t like something they came up with, they will most likely have a detailed report of you asking for exactly that. This means that all edits will come out of your pocket. A video animation company will only edit a product, “gratis”, if it was a risk they took while producing it or if it was a mistake they made — not if they were following your instructions, even when they came during an impromptu meeting.
Collaborating on Storyboarding and Concept Development
Clients can ensure that their video animation meets their objectives through meticulous planning, concept creation, and storyboarding. All participants must understand their roles during the animation process and properly communicate their needs.
Active Engagement and Timely Feedback
Actively participating in project check-ins and providing regular feedback is crucial. Remain flexible and open to the animation studio’s guidance and suggestions regarding your video content. Getting back to them, on time, will mean they can proceed or edit a product faster and meet your deadlines.
Respecting Expertise
Respecting the expertise of animators and producers is one of the most crucial aspects when working with a video animation company. There’s this great anecdote by a long-time 007 song composer during his tenure with the United Artists. He was creating the opening song for “Diamonds Are Forever” — The now iconic Bassey song. The producer, Albert Broccoli, someone who was a bit tone deaf – and who once, when Paul McCartney delivered the finished version of “Live & Let Die” had the audacity to ask, “great, but who are going to actually sing this song?” – was pushing back. He didn’t like the song. He was in a bit of a pain. Anyway, this seemed to be something that always happened and the composer – the same man who had created “Goldfinger”, “Thunderball”, and “You Only Live Twice,” – got fed up. In the middle of a production meeting, midway through Broccoli’s rant, he simply got up, walked up to Albert and said: “sit down, you blowhard… You know nothing about music. You’re more or less a chimp when it comes to it.” Things got heated. Long story short, the song became an international hit. Takeaway? Stay in your lane. Let the pros do their thing and respect them. This ensures that your project is delivered on time and within budget. They understand the nuances of animation and have the experience to create effective, engaging visuals that bring your project to life.
Managing Expectations and Deadlines
Express your preferences and expectations to the animation studio as early as possible to ensure the creation of a terrific video that aligns with your needs. Notify deadlines and expectations in advance.
Resolving Issues and Conflict Resolution
Clear and open communication between the client and the animation team is essential to address any concerns or problems that may arise during production. This allows for the resolution of conflicts and ensures a smooth production process. It helps build trust between both parties, fostering a collaborative environment that will lead to more successful future endeavors.
For example, Kasra Design Studio is a prominent video animation company that has produced over 700 commercial videos for some of the world’s largest brands and companies since 2011. They specialize in animated explainer videos, corporate videos, 2D and 3D animations, TV commercials, healthcare video production, and motion graphics. In their award-winning video animation firm, a team of skilled designers and animators will work to bring your ideas to the next level. Scriptwriters, storyboard artists, illustrators, and animators will create unique and sophisticated visual storytelling that can significantly boost your company’s sales.
Why Stick to These Practices?
Having a successful partnership while working with a video animation company is crucial for achieving the best results. Clear communication, clarification of expectations, and sharing project expertise can all contribute to ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page and working towards the same goal. By adhering to the above practices, you can ensure that all project participants are satisfied, and the project progresses smoothly from start to finish.
