How We Make an Explainer Video: The Full Production Process
Clients often ask us, "What actually happens between the kickoff call and the final delivery?"
Fair question. Most studios show you the result but not the process. Here's exactly how a typical explainer video project works at PSTUDIO—from first conversation to final file.
Week 0: Strategy call (30 minutes)
Before we quote anything, we learn about what your business covers. This call covers what your product does, who the video is for, where it will live (homepage, sales outreach, or ads), and what metric it should move.
We don't ask, "What style do you want?" We ask, "What business problem are we solving?"
This call is free. About half of prospects realize during this call that they need a different type of video than they originally thought, which saves them money and time.
Week 1: Script and message design
This is where 60% of the value is created.
We write the script—or rewrite yours—using our problem-first framework: open with a specific pain point, amplify the cost, transition to the solution, show the workflow, add proof, and close with a CTA. All in 150 words (the max for a 60-second video).
You review. We revise. The script is locked before we touch any visuals.
Why this matters: A great script with average animation outperforms a bad script with beautiful animation. Every time.
Week 2: Storyboard and visual design
We create a full-color storyboard—every scene illustrated, every camera move planned, every text element placed. This is your preview of the final video in static form.
You see exactly what the video will look like before the animation starts. Feedback at this stage is fast and cheap. Feedback after animation is slow and expensive. That's why we invest heavily in the storyboard phase.
Week 3: Animation
This is where motion designers bring the storyboard to life. Transitions, timing, character movement, data visualizations, UI animations — all crafted frame by frame.
We use 2D motion graphics as our core style. It's versatile, scalable, and ages better than trendy styles that look dated in 12 months.
At this stage, you'll see a first draft with music and timing. Revisions here are focused on motion and pacing, not message, because the message was locked in the script phase.
Week 4: Sound design and delivery
Professional voiceover, sound effects, and licensed background music are added. The right voice and music dramatically change how a video feels — this step is more important than most clients expect.
Final delivery includes platform-ready formats: landscape for web and YouTube, square for LinkedIn, vertical for Instagram and TikTok, and a presentation-friendly version for decks.
Total timeline: 2-4 weeks
Simple projects (one 60-second video, script provided) can ship in 2-3 weeks. Complex projects (multiple videos, scripts from scratch, and custom illustrations) take 3-5 weeks.
We don't rush production. We rush decisions. The fastest projects are the ones where feedback comes quickly — not the ones where we cut corners on animation.
What this costs
Single explainer videos start from $2,000. Starter packages (1 hero video + 3 cutdowns) start from $3,000. Every project includes a script, storyboard, animation, sound design, and platform-ready delivery.
Book a free strategy call, and we'll scope your project in detail.
