How much does it cost to produce an animated video?

The global pandemic proved to everyone that animation is a new fresh way of delivering a message to the masses. It allows you to play with dimensions and technology and broaden your horizons on how one can represent the brand in the digital era. With animated video production services getting popular in various industries, you should get on board with the most forward-thinking corporations and businesses. Also, Allow a professional digital agency to open a door for you to the virtual world and elevate your business with out-of-this-world ideas.

Digital media art studio VS freelance services. What to choose? 

Outsourcing animation video production opens up possibilities for working with many talented artists and accessing top-notch technology. Still, one is facing a choice of who to trust with bringing their vision to life. 

The freelancers’ services are significantly cheaper than a professional studio. And when one gets seduced by the two or three times price difference, they might lose in the quality or time. However, Recruiting a freelancer is a big headache as you need to estimate their professionalism level and ability to provide world-class quality.

On the other hand, outsourcing a digital art studio for the animation project could seem pricey. But that investment is worth every penny.  However, Partnering up with a digital agency, you’ll get a dedicated team working on the project, from project managers to artists and designers. Experts in their fields, those tech talents know how to deliver a mesmerizing message to the audience, make an eye-catching design, using innovative technology. 

What influences price-building for animated video

In the world of animation, it’s almost impossible to give an exact price quote. People come with ideas for a full-length cartoon or educational explanatory video. Also, Top-rated video production studios used to serve various industries, from entertainment and gaming to healthcare, education, and private business.  Here is the list of factors you should mention during the estimation brief. 

The length of the video 

In the media production industry, animated art is a far more expensive service as you need elaborate skills and time resources to finish the project than, for example, filming and video shooting. That’s why production studios and freelancers price the projects by the second. The cost difference between 90 seconds and 5 minutes of animation would be significant. Another thing you have to keep in mind is a timetable for the deadlines. Most agencies will charge extra fees for urgency. 

The required services

Animation videos are not only about motion pictures, right? For better message delivery, there are plenty of features you can add to your project: 

• Voice over with professional artists; 
• Background music and sound effects;
• Script writing for those who don’t have a clear idea of how to deliver the message; 

Animation style

Style affects how much time resource would artists spend on creating the animation for you. To execute high-quality animation, designers need time for detailing and VFX optimization. However, Research the animation styles to find the one that matches your vision, brand aesthetic, and audience. Here is the list of what trendy styles and concepts the digital agency can use in a project:

• Stop motion animation using clay, action figures, or even puppets, create a quirky and fun experience for viewers;
• Infographics videos for data representation;
• 3D animation that allows the creation of dimensions and characters on a Disney level; 
• Illustrations to match the text or audio description;
•  Motion graphics for logo and brand presentations;
• 2D animation is the most affordable option on the market.

How much should you expect to pay for an animation?

Due to many factors affecting the final price, nailing down the average cost for animation is almost impossible. The two-minute 2D animations would be significantly cheaper than the clay stop motion pictures. Yet here is a small price guide for you to navigate in the required expense planning. 

• Low Budget

For between $3,000 and $7,000 per minute, you can expect to get a 2D animation without any voice-over or sound effects services. Animations could lack visual effects, textures, and complex detailing.

• Professional service

At the rate of up to $20,000 per minute, you can get a professionally done animation with top graphics, sound&music features, and voice-over services. Top-rated animation studios charge a minimum of $10,000 for that level of delivery. 

• High-quality services 

For more elaborate and complex style and 3D technology, be ready to pay up to $50,000 per minute. 

• Top-level broadcasting

The price range for a Hollywood-level animation production starts at $50,000 per minute and can go higher than $100,000, depending on the length and complexity. You should expect nothing to hold back the digital artists, not the cutting-edge VFX technology or screenplay writing and 3D modeling. 

The final word

Many professional digital animation studios have budget-friendly options. During brainstorming sessions and estimation briefs, they can come up with ways to deliver to provide you with high-quality services and still keep them within your budget. Keep in mind that some companies and freelancers charge clients revision fees. Sometimes you can get charged $8,000 for a redo if, in the after-production stage, you had critical feedback and were unsatisfied with some moments. Before you partner up with an agency, clarify all the fees and additional services costs.  

If you don’t know where to start your recruitment process, research the top-rated American-based video production companies with qualified and skilled digital artists on their teams. Also, Cooperation with truly talented artists will guarantee 100% satisfaction with results. Many professional animated video studios can create a strategy from scratch. However, Experts in various industries will brainstorm ideas with you to find better digital art solutions to elevate your brand and surprise the audience. There is something magical about seeing your fantasy come alive on the screen. And that is the goal of a media video production studio.