Simple Steps to Producing E Learning Animated Videos
The decision to create any type of instructional video content might initially seem like an overwhelming task, especially if youâve never produced a video before. Anyone is capable of planning out e learning animated videos that can be used to teach or train a target audience to achieve certain learning goals. Follow these simple steps to producing e learning animated videos that your audience will gain insight and understanding from.
At Beverly Boy Productions, we find the process of creating any type of educational or instructional video content to be exciting and fun, especially when the content is to be used by a business or brand for the purpose of growth, leads, and revenue. With more than two decades of experience operating behind the scenes of an active film set, Team Beverly Boy brings knowledge, commitment, and consistency to every project we take on. Give us a call to learn more about producing e learning animated videos for your brand!
Step 1: Decide on Video Style
Choosing a style of video thatâs most appropriate for your instructional content is the first major step youâre going to take in producing e learning animated videos for your brand. Think about the topics youâre teaching and the audience youâre trying to reach as you consider which style of animated instructional video is best for you. It could be:
- Animated typography
- Motion graphic animations
- Stop-motion animation
- Whiteboard animation
- 2D or 3D animation
Of course you can change your mind later, but as a general rule, youâre going to build the rest of the script and details around the style of video you decide on, so this is important to consider upfront.
Step 2: Prepare Script
If youâve never written a script before, this is where things are going to start getting tricky. Your script should depict the narration or voice-over elements of your video as well as any specific details regarding characters, illustrations, or unique targeting. The average animated video is between 1-2 minutes in total length. E Learning animated videos typically fall in this 2 minute range, too. Youâll have about 1 page of script per minute, or a two page script total.
Step 3: Record Narration or Voice-Over
Once your script is prepared, youâre going to begin recording the audio voice over or narration sequences. This will take place in a studio where there will not be any outside interference or noise to interrupt your video. Your chosen talent will record his or her voice as they read through the script. There will be multiple takes, so donât worry about mistakes or any potential struggles along the way. Breathing between lines, missing a beat, or otherwise making any mistakes during the script reading isnât a big deal! All of this can be edited out before the final cut.
Step 4: Create Animation
Unless youâre a professional, this is most definitely where the professional will come in! How the animations are created largely depend on the style of animation that was chosen in the first step. Stop motion animation will require complex setups to be built, filmed, gradually moved, filmed again, and so on. Likewise, 2D or 3D animation will require the images and graphics to be created and animated. The point is, there is a unique process involved when it comes to producing e learning animated videos depending largely on the type of animation that is to be used.
Keep in mind, animations do not have to be overly complex! Simple animations are acceptable, especially when it comes to producing instructional video content. While you might be inclined to believe that the animations must be intricate and overly complicated, the reality is that sometimes simpler animations do a lot better in the long run.
Step 5: Animation Editing
Once the animations have been created, itâs time to begin arranging them so that they will align with the story youâre telling and the audio youâre sharing. This will require a project to be created in a video editor. If youâre working with a professional on producing e learning animated videos for you, then this process will largely take place behind-the-scenes while you simply wait for a draft that you can review. The production crew will use special software to create the animations, behaviors, and graphics that are going to make up your educational video.
This is where things like animated effects, graphics, and transitions are added in, too. A first draft will likely be produced and shared with you for review. Your job is to be very thorough with your review of the work, and to provide as much descriptive feedback as possible to ensure that your production crew has the information they need to revise the animations to your liking.
Step 6: Insert Music
Once an animated draft is done to your liking, itâs time to begin working in the music that will accompany your e learning animated videos. The music is going to convey emotion, create a sense of energy or excitement, and pull the animated clips together. A variety of music tracks can be incorporated into your video at this time depending largely on the audience and intended focus of the video content.
Step 7: Final Review & Distribution
E learning animated videos are ready for your final review after the music has been added to the process. A final review of the content and acceptance is all it takes and your producer will send the animated video files over to you so that you can begin to publish and share the content with your audience. Thus, in a few simple steps, youâll have professional e learning animated videos that represent your brand and educate your audience!
