Marketing

Live Action vs Animated Videos: Pros & Cons for Video Marketing

Find out which type of video works best for your marketing needs! Explore the pros and cons of live-action versus animated videos.

Ryan Diyantara
Posted
April 8, 2024
live action vs animated videos

Table of Contents

Text LinkText Link

If you have a business, marketing is really important. Nowadays, using videos for marketing is seen as super effective.

Cisco says that most of the internet, about 82%, is made up of videos. That's because people get things better when they see them. Videos match what people like and help them understand things better.

There are lots of different types of videos that marketers use to promote their stuff. The trick is to pick the one that fits your business best. It could be a video explaining stuff, animated videos, live videos, or testimonials.

In this blog, we'll talk about using live action videos and animated videos for marketing. We'll compare them to see which one works better.

What is Live Action Video?

Global Live Action Video Production | Wooshii

Live-action video refers to videos that feature real people or animals, rather than animation or computer-generated effects. Examples of live-action videos include scripted stories, interviews, product demonstrations, and tutorials conducted in real time.

Making decisions can be tough, but weighing the pros and cons can help you decide whether to go ahead or not. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using live-action videos:

Pros

  • Captures genuine emotions and human elements
  • Real-life footage easily establishes a sense of environment and purpose
  • Camera and atmospheric effects like lighting are easier to achieve
  • Doesn't necessarily require extensive experience; can be shot using a cell phone

Cons

  • Harder to convey complex or abstract ideas compared to on-screen graphics
  • Dependent on live situations for lighting and timing
  • Some real-world objects are challenging to replicate in computer-generated imagery (CGI)
  • Talent management and direction can be difficult
  • Shorter shelf life and challenging to make changes later on, especially with higher production complexity and quality.

What is Animated Video

Animated Video

Animation, on the other hand, involves manipulating images to create moving visuals. Animated videos can be made using hand-drawn or computer-generated images.

If you're not familiar with animation, it might seem intimidating. However, there are several reasons to consider it:

Pros

  • Easy to demonstrate abstract ideas and concepts
  • Useful for explaining a lot of information concisely
  • Offers creative freedom to depict anything, even things that don't exist in reality
  • Has a longer shelf life and is easier to update with changes

Cons

  • Harder to convey emotions and create characters comparable to real humans
  • Requires experience or training to use effectively
  • Real-world aspects like lighting are more challenging to replicate
  • Time-consuming and may require higher initial investment in terms of time and cost.

Cost and Time Considerations for Live-Action Videos and Animation

You might have noticed that both live-action and animation are mentioned to have time and cost as drawbacks. This is because both require a significant amount of time and can be quite expensive.

For live-action, there's a need for pre-production (planning), production (shooting), and post-production (editing). It often involves a larger team behind the scenes. You may need to hire actors, as well as arrange for wardrobe and makeup. Additionally, you might need to rent out a location space for shooting.

On the other hand, animation requires time dedicated to design, including style-frames and storyboards. It also necessitates specific software and expertise. Rendering times for certain animations can incur significant costs.

Also read: 5 Ways Product Video Can Help Boost Your Sales

Cost Ranges for Live-Action and Animated Videos

Similar to other major purchases, the price range for animation and live-action can vary widely and depends on various factors.

For simplicity's sake, an animated video ranging from 90 seconds to 2 minutes can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $35,000.

As for live-action, depending on the type of video selected, the price tag could range from $17,000 to $100,000 or more.

Tips for Saving Money on Live-Action and Animated Videos

You've probably heard about bundling deals before, like bundling your home and auto insurance to save money. Well, the same concept can help you save money on video production. If you can bundle your content, such as scripts and deliverables, your cost per video can decrease.

For instance, in live-action production, bundling scripts together and creating an optimized shot list could allow you to shoot enough material for multiple videos in a single shoot. Similarly, for animation, setting a design style enables you to repurpose assets in other videos.

Unleash The Power of Storytelling with Get Camera Crew

Bring your vision to life, in any style! Get Camera Crew offers a powerful combination of live-action and animation video production. Capture the essence of reality with stunning live shoots, then seamlessly blend in animation to explain complex concepts, add a touch of whimsy, or create truly unique visuals. We craft impactful videos that captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Contact us today and let's discuss how we can bring your story to life, no matter the format.

FAQ Section

Why are videos considered effective for marketing?

Videos are highly effective for marketing because they engage audiences visually, making it easier for them to understand concepts and messages. Additionally, videos resonate well with people's preferences, as evidenced by their dominance on the internet, comprising about 82% of online content.

What is the difference between live-action and animated videos?

Live-action videos feature real people or animals and provide a sense of authenticity, while animated videos involve manipulating images to create moving visuals, offering creative freedom to depict anything, even things that don't exist in reality.

What are the pros and cons of live-action videos?

Pros of live-action videos include capturing genuine emotions, establishing a sense of environment, and ease of achieving camera effects. However, cons include difficulty conveying complex ideas, reliance on live situations for lighting, and shorter shelf life.

What are the pros and cons of animated videos?

Animated videos excel in demonstrating abstract ideas, offering creative freedom, and having a longer shelf life. However, they may struggle to convey emotions effectively, require experience or training, and can be time-consuming and costly to produce.

What are the cost and time considerations for live-action and animated videos?

Both live-action and animated videos require significant time and investment. Live-action videos involve pre-production, production, and post-production stages, while animated videos require design and rendering. Costs can vary widely depending on factors such as complexity and duration.

How much do live-action and animated videos typically cost?

Animated videos can range from $15,000 to $35,000 for a 90-second to 2-minute video, while live-action videos may cost between $17,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the type and complexity.

How can Get Camera Crew help with video production needs?

Get Camera Crew offers a powerful combination of live-action and animation video production services. Whether businesses need stunning live shoots or unique animated visuals, Get Camera Crew crafts impactful videos that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. Contact us today to discuss how we can bring your story to life, regardless of the format.

Ready To Get Started?

Drop us a message and we will reply to you ASAP!

Contact Us