Explanatory Video Production Process: Step-by-Step Description

Producing explanatory videos is a multi-step process that involves more experts than one.

Typically an explanatory video production team consisting of a screenwriter, storyboard artist, illustrator, animator, voiceover artist, and sound effect artist. Each of these six actors uniquely contributes to video production.

Here is a step-by-step description of the video production process.

Step I: Understanding the Customer Brief

The first step in the explanatory video production process is to review the customer brief (a questionnaire filled out by the customer), to understand your business entity and the video requirements. Usually it is the screenwriter who goes through this process. In case of doubts or queries, an interaction is organized between the scriptwriter and the client.

Step II: Research and Brainstorm

Once all relevant customer information has been collected, secondary research (if necessary) is done to better understand the business. The summary is explained to the storyboard artist and animator. Once both have understood the summary, they sit down with the writer to visualize the story of the video, decide on characterizations and other visual elements, and finalize on how those elements would be animated. Once everything is decided, the video script is drawn up.

Step III: scripts and voice over

Based on the discussion, the explanatory video script is developed and sent to the client for approval. Typically, a 60-second explanatory video script contains 150-160 words. This script acts as the ‘armor’ around which the video is sculpted. Once approved, the script is recorded as a voiceover, which at a later stage is placed as a background narration in the explanatory video.

Step IV: Storyboard and Illustration

”A storyboard is a graphic organizer in the form of illustrations or images that are displayed in sequence for the purpose of previewing a movie, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence.– Wikipedia

Basically, storyboarding involves drawing the scenes from the video, frame by frame. The storyboard is made on the basis of the final script. Once the storyboard is done, it is submitted for customer approval. Once approved, the storyboard goes through illustration (coloring) and once again sent to the client for approval.

Step V: Animation and sound effects

Once the fully illustrated storyboard is approved by the client, the animation process begins. This process, of course, is time consuming, as it is not an easy job to carry out. static characters / storyboard elements for life. The animation is made based on the final voice-over, thus ensuring adequate synchronization between the audio and the visual.

Finally, the animation and voice-over are integrated to form the video. To this video, sound effects are added. Sound effects enhance the overall quality of the video and help create subtle humor.

The final video is submitted for your approval.

Step VI: Delivery

Once approved, the final video along with its source files is delivered to the client. As per customer’s requirement, the video is delivered in ‘mov’, ‘avi’ and / or ‘mp4’ format (s). This is how the explanatory video production process ends.

In conclusion

If you are planning to produce an animated video then you have to keep in mind that no matter what style of explainer video you choose to have for your video, the production is time consuming. Therefore, to have a high-quality video, the production team must have enough time to conceptualize and produce it. Make an amazing video and experience its benefits!