Animation vs Live Action- Which is Right for You?

So, you need a video. That’s why you’re here, right? Congrats on making it past the first step, choosing a top-tier production studio to help you flesh out your video idea. The next decision you’ll need to make is what kind of video you’d like us to brew up. The two main styles you’ll be choosing from are animation or live action videos (we can do a bit of both, but we’ll get into that later). So ready to decide which is best for you? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each video type.

Animation Station 

Choo-choo, all aboard! Next stop: animation station. 

Seriously though, the sky’s the limit when it comes to animation. If you can dream it, we can do it. When you decide on an animated explainer video to show off your products and services, you don’t have to worry about scouting for locations, building sets, hiring actors, or traveling on-site to film. You can also easily make edits or additions to an animated video if things with your product or service change down the line.

You will have to think about what look you want, what kind of voice over artist to hire, and the length of your video. Since everything shown in an animated video must be created from nothing, it typically takes longer to produce one as opposed to a live action video.

Some video’s we’d recommend to be animated include:

• Service overview videos
• Product overview videos
• Explainer videos 
• Training videos
• How it Works videos
• Mobile App explainer videos

Feeling A-Live

Adding a touch of realism to your product or explainer video can be a good thing. As opposed to animation, live-action videos can help the viewer relate more to what is being said, since a real person is delivering the information. And, some stories are told better using real people, like this one we made for the American Heart Association. If you’re looking for a fast turnaround time, a live-action video may be your best bet, especially if you’re using your own home or office as the set and use your coworkers as the actors.

But, as with all good things, videos made with real people in real locations have their own set of downfalls. You have to account for location, travel, weather (if you’re filming outside), actors, lighting, and pre and post-production. 

Looking to do a live video? Here are our suggestions:

• Training videos
• Recruiting videos
• Culture videos
• Success stories
• Online courses
• Testimonials

The Best of Both Worlds

If you want to add a bit of magic to your video, we suggest mixing it up! When you shoot a live action video and add animation in post, you’re truly getting the best of both worlds. Whether you want cars to explode into piles of cash or you just want to add a bit of flare to your video, mixing live-action and animation is the way to go!

Ready to Brew It?

Now that you’ve had the chance to weigh the pros and cons of each video type, it’s time to bring that video to life. If you’re still not sure which type of video will best suit your goals, we’d to hop on a quick call with you to help put together a strategy! 

Let’s Brew This!