You can choose one option from several, only having information about all the possibilities. Therefore, we decided to explain to you the features of 2D animated explainer video in comparison with live filming with the participation of actors. The question of which is better in this case is incorrect: both animation and video filming each perform their own tasks.
There are situations when the choice is obvious: the apple orchard and beautiful views are best shown from nature. But the house, which is still under construction, can only be advertised with the help of graphics.
Pros of live video
- Realism. At the subconscious level, the viewer believes more in what is happening on the screen if it is filmed live. Animation is initially perceived as a fantasy. Filming gives the video a documentary, providing the effect of truth. Even if everything is staged from start to finish, the viewer will subconsciously believe the live video more than the drawn pictures.
- Genre versatility. Videos can be funny, touching, dramatic, childish - in one word, any. There are many ways to convey the desired message using video techniques.
- A clear production principle. It is much faster and easier to shoot one scene from several points and different plans than to draw the same thing. Changing frames in video editing is much easier than making minor edits to graphics. You can read more about this here: https://explain.ninja/2d-animated-videos/.
Cons of live video
- Unpredictability. There is always an element of unpredictability in video filming. The weather can deteriorate, the actors, who have been arguing for a long time, get sick, the car breaks down, etc. Fragility. Video production is developing very rapidly. Technology is improving, new video formats, new programs and even distribution channels appear. Certain effects and directorial techniques are in vogue. Videos taken 5 years ago look outdated and unfashionable today.
Pros of animation video
- Emotionality. Subconsciously, the animated video is associated with children's cartoons, and therefore is perceived favorably by the audience. High-quality animation is always impressive and evokes positive emotions. This is extremely important for advertising.
- Ample opportunities. With the help of animation, you can make it snow or shine the sun and shine a rainbow, draw summer in winter, travel to the past or the future, create a fictional world and fictional characters. And also: show viewers not yet built houses, bridges, roads and cities.
- Ergonomic. The animation video is ergonomic in terms of production. To create it, you do not need a producer, cameraman, editor, sound engineer, actors, drivers, make-up artists, etc. There is no need to look for a suitable location for filming, conduct casting of actors, go to the shooting, etc. You can draw an ideal location, ideal characters, show different cities, countries and continents - something that would be expensive in a live video.
Cons of the animation video
- Complexity. Animation creation is a time consuming and technically complex process. Making edits takes resources and time. Rendering an animation clip takes much more time than rendering a video clip.
· Price. The price of an animated video directly depends on the complexity. Obviously, Motion design will cost less than 3D story graphics. High-level animation, various special effects, animation often make such a video more expensive than traditional video shooting.
How to choose?
What products and services are more suitable for a live video, and where to prefer animation instead? The question is not always easy, but often depends to the kind of product/service being sold.
If you sell clothes, shoes and accessories, then live video is more suitable for you. Food products look more convincing in reality than in cartoons. If your task is to show your product from the best side, then it is better to show it in reality. Smoke, sand, water, hair is much easier to remove live than to draw. Just like the beauties of nature and impressive interiors.
But what is not in reality, what is difficult to see and feel, is better advertised by animation. A building that is only in a project, everything related to electricity, smart projects, as well as seeds and fertilizers.
