7 Degrees Media

Explainer Video Doncaster — Animation vs Live Video

How animated explainer videos work, when to use animation versus live video, what they cost and how 7 Degrees Media handles the production process from brief to delivery.

What is an explainer video and does your business need one?

An explainer video is one of the most effective tools a business can put on its website or social channels. Done well, a 60 to 90 second video can communicate what a business does, who it helps and why to choose it more effectively than any amount of written copy — because most visitors will watch a short video before they will read a page of text.

The decision between animated and live-action production is one of the first things we work through with every client. There is no universally correct answer — it depends on what you need to communicate, the tone you want to strike and how the content will be used. This guide explains the key considerations so you can go into that conversation informed.

Animation vs live video — a practical comparison

Factor Animation Live video
Abstract concepts or processes ✓ Excellent Difficult to film
Authenticity and trust-building Moderate ✓ Excellent
Works without a film crew or studio ✓ Yes Requires filming
Easy to update or revise ✓ Relatively easy Requires reshoot
Testimonials and case studies Not ideal ✓ Perfect
Shelf life ✓ Long (no faces or fashions) Shorter (team changes, etc.)
Social media performance ✓ Very high (motion thumb-stops) ✓ High (especially authentic clips)
Production time 3–5 weeks typical 2–4 weeks typical

When animation is the right choice

Animation works best when you need to:

  • Show a process, workflow or system that cannot be filmed
  • Visualise data, statistics or comparisons compellingly
  • Produce content that will not date (no team members, no fashions, no filming locations)
  • Communicate complex technical information in an accessible way
  • Create a strong brand-consistent visual style across all content
  • Produce multiple short social cuts alongside a main version efficiently

When live video is the right choice

Live video works best when you need to:

  • Build personal trust with real people on camera (founders, team, clients)
  • Show your physical premises, products or environment authentically
  • Capture event coverage or real-time activity
  • Produce client testimonials or case study films
  • Create recruitment or culture content that shows your team as real people

How our production process works

1
Brief

Goals, audience, tone, length, usage

2
Script

Written and approved before any production

3
Produce

Animation / filming with review checkpoint

4
Deliver

All formats for web, social, broadcast

Explainer Video FAQs

An explainer video is a short animated or live-action video — typically 60 to 120 seconds — that explains what a business does, how a product works, or how a process unfolds. They are designed to communicate complex ideas quickly and are used on websites, social media, in presentations and in email campaigns.

An animated explainer video typically costs between £1,500 and £5,000 depending on length, style complexity, whether voiceover is included and how many revision rounds are involved. Simple motion graphics with a voiceover sit at the lower end; character animation or complex multi-scene productions cost more. We provide a fixed quote before any work begins.

Animation is usually the better choice when you need to explain an abstract process, show something that cannot be filmed (inside a product, a software workflow, a future state), demonstrate scale or data, or when the content needs to look consistent and polished without being dependent on filming conditions. Live video is often better for testimonials, event coverage and content where authenticity and real people are the point.

No. Script development is part of our production process. We work from your brief — what you want to communicate, who the audience is, what action you want them to take — and develop the script for your approval before any animation work begins.

Yes, and we plan for this from the start. We can produce the main version alongside cut-down edits for social (15 or 30 seconds) and format variations for square or portrait display on Instagram and LinkedIn. Getting these cuts made during the original production is significantly more cost-effective than commissioning them separately later.

Discuss your video project

Free initial call with an honest recommendation on the best format for your goals.

Get In Touch +447851689768

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+447851689768