Kick-off meeting. Script. Storyboard. Visual treatment. Voiceover. Audio design. For some, these may sound like words from an unfamiliar language. We decided to clarify things by making our own animated video about our animation process—just the way we love and know how to.
So, whenever there is confusion about how we go from a blank page to a published video, we give the stage to Berthold. This oddly charming character will guide you through the video animation process in a way you won't forget! Follow him into the depths of animation utopia or go through the 12 steps that explain the stages of animation creation.
The world of animation is like a visual utopia where anything—and we mean absolutely anything—is possible! Even yodeling dolphins, if you like!
But before we dive into the depths of possibilities, we need to get to know all about you—your goals, dreams, desires, and challenges. So, we ask, we listen, and repeat the process until even the slightest detail is heard and put on paper. That will become our foundation and set the tone for the whole project.
Your brief and our secret ingredients help us create a solid script—a significant milestone on the way to an animation that you and the world need!
The script consists of two parts, both equally important for the 'I-cannot-get-my-eyes-and-ears-off-it' type of storytelling. The vision of the characters, their actions, and the world they live in is put into words, known as the action description. Complemented by the written form of the voiceover, we get a full script, giving us a complete picture of how the story will look and sound. Once it is as good as done, the project is ready for cooking!
We've set the action, now it's time to set the mood. Most likely, you've seen a thing or two and already know what you want. If not, we will help you.
We're on a mission to get to the visual style that brings out the best in your story. We can wipe away the visual predictability and add that unique, eclectic, or magic touch you are looking for.
Now, off to the storyboard. We create a visual wireframe following the mood we've just set. Your script is getting visual cues to illustrate the narrative and is revealing how it will actually look in the framing.
Finally, the story takes a visual form and you can make sure with your own eyes that everything is under control—literally, visually, and practically. This helps ensure that we reach a mutual understanding that the story looks as good as, or even better than, it sounded on paper or as you imagined it.
Even when the visual mood is set, it still works like a buffet, where we pick and mix the best forms. The plate we're going to serve will look and feel like nothing anyone could imagine, with that unique aftertaste you're looking for. We promise—it'll be a mesmerizing adventure for the eyes, ears, and imagination.
The only limits to the visual interpretations are the ones we set for ourselves. So, we never waste the chance to create something completely fresh and out of this world, taking us to a trippin' good place.
Style frames have given us a glimpse of how everything will look in a static form. To reveal the true colors of the whole story, we move to the illustration phase—the next big step towards the animation.
As an office riding the horse of animation, we make sure to gallop through every inch of the frames to draw, style, and color them perfectly. This profound accuracy ensures that the illustrations will look nice and smooth in the animation too.
Now, onto the voiceover. The possibilities for voices are unlimited—young or mature, masculine or feminine, masculine female or feminine male, and we can go on and on... So, when the animation is really on, the voice brings the right emotion to the story or the character it is given to.
Inspiring, reliable, convincing—whatever works! We make the fitting choice of voice, add it to the animation, and see (and hear) the wonders it creates.
Starting from here—a freefall into the beauty of animation. We've spent a good chunk of time mastering the story and illustrations we are all proud of and happy with. Now, we are ready to make the next moves, pun intended.
And once we're on it, there's no turning back. Or actually, there is, but it's almost like Botox—once you've injected it, going back takes a lot of time and money. Nobody wants to go there.
Let's call it “the sketch of animation” before the real beauty is revealed. This is the moment we determine the rhythm of the edit, adjust the voiceover to the animation, and get a rough visual preview of what the overall animation will look like.
We define and lock the timing so that the entire edit works perfectly. Voiceover and picture now stick together like newlyweds, ready to live happily ever after, waltzing to their favorite music.
The very last phase of the visual part is the tailoring of the animation, where everything is made to fit perfectly. Everything is premium, handcrafted with a close-knit team effort to get the story across.
Every department adds their magic dust to create a visually and audibly smooth animation, taking it to the next (and final) level.
Sounds like it's time to turn on some sentimental music because we're almost done with the project. Or maybe something upbeat to lift the mood. Or any other music that fits the story like a glove.
Music is something you might take for granted, but it also needs to be created or chosen. The audio mix and sound design add the silk coating for a flawless and extra crunchy result you're looking for.
Finally, your story is done, done, aaaaand done! You’re ready to check out and give the world another animated perfection. The people of the internet have long been waiting for it, and they’ll probably love the video as much as we do!
And if there were another step in the animation process, it would be dedicated to being proud of all the effort and creativity you and we, as a team, have invested in it. So, cheers to all of us!
Our team is ready for another 12-step animation creation anytime. We know it by heart and love it to the bone. So come have a chat with us, meet Berthold and the team, and let's dive into the amazing utopia of animation!
Rita Steimane
rita@panicstudio.tv
Lou Bones
lou@panicstudio.tv