Behind the Scenes: How Explainer Videos Are Made from Script to Screen in 2025
Explainer videos have become an essential communication tool for brands, startups, educators, and nonprofits. Whether you’re launching a new product, simplifying a complex idea, or telling your company’s story, explainer videos condense your message into a clear, engaging, and shareable format. But what exactly goes into making an effective explainer video?
In this post, we’ll explore how explainer videos are made from concept to completion in 2025. We’ll look at the role of animation storytelling experts, the steps involved in production, how much it typically costs, and why hiring the right video animation company can make all the difference.
Why Explainer Videos Still Work in 2025
Despite being around for over a decade, explainer videos are more relevant than ever. In a world where attention spans continue to shrink and competition for visibility is fierce, a well-crafted explainer video can:
Increase conversion rates
Improve brand recall
Simplify complex ideas
Boost engagement across platforms
The key is in how they are made — combining visuals, narrative, and strategy to deliver a message that sticks.
Step-by-Step: How Explainer Videos Are Made
Let’s break down the standard production process and what each step involves.
1. Discovery & Strategy
Before any scripts are written or characters are drawn, the production team holds a discovery session to understand the client’s goals, target audience, and key message. At this stage, animation storytelling experts play a critical role in defining the core narrative and tone.
Questions typically asked:
What’s the main problem your audience faces?
How does your product/service solve it?
What emotions do you want to evoke?
This phase sets the foundation for everything that follows.
2. Scriptwriting
The script is the backbone of any explainer video. It defines the story, pacing, and structure. Great scripts are concise (typically 60–90 seconds long), clear, and compelling.
A typical script follows this proven structure:
The Hook: Grabs the audience’s attention
The Problem: Introduces the issue or pain point
The Solution: Presents the product or service
The Benefits: Highlights key features or results
The Call to Action: Encourages next steps
This stage is often handled by professional writers or animation storytelling experts who understand both storytelling and marketing psychology.
3. Storyboard & Visual Style
Once the script is approved, it’s time to visualize the video through a storyboard — a scene-by-scene sketch of how the story will unfold. This includes rough drawings of each shot along with notes on movement, transitions, and text overlays.
At this stage, the team also finalizes the visual style, which can include:
2D flat animation
Whiteboard animation
Motion graphics
3D animation
Live-action with animated overlays
Each style comes with different costs and timelines — something we’ll explore in the explainer video production cost section.
4. Voiceover Recording
A professional voice actor is hired to record the narration. The tone, language, and accent are chosen based on the audience and brand identity. Some companies also offer multilingual voiceovers to reach international markets.
5. Illustration & Design
Now the art team creates the full illustrations based on the storyboard. This includes backgrounds, characters, icons, and branded elements. A consistent design ensures visual harmony throughout the video.
6. Animation
This is where the magic happens. Animators use software like Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, or Blender to bring the visuals to life. They apply animation techniques such as tweening, timing, and easing to make the video fluid and engaging.
A reputable video animation company ensures this step is handled by seasoned professionals who can sync visuals perfectly with voiceovers and music.
7. Sound Design & Music
Music and sound effects are added to enhance mood and emphasize actions. A well-timed sound effect can make transitions smoother and add emotional depth to the video.
8. Review & Revisions
Clients typically receive one or more drafts for feedback. Revisions may involve changes to pacing, visuals, or voiceover timing. Once finalized, the video is delivered in multiple formats optimized for web, social media, and email campaigns.
What Does Explainer Video Production Cost in 2025?
A common question is: What’s the average explainer video production cost in 2025?
It depends on several factors:
Length: Most explainer videos are 60–120 seconds
Style: 2D is generally more affordable than 3D
Customization: Fully custom illustrations cost more than templated visuals
Talent: Professional voiceovers and sound design add to the budget
Turnaround Time: Faster delivery often means higher rates
Typical price ranges:
Basic 2D video (templated): $1,000 – $3,000
Custom 2D animation: $3,000 – $8,000
3D animation or premium explainer: $8,000 – $20,000+
Many top video animation companies offer tiered pricing to suit startups, mid-size businesses, and enterprises.
Why Hire Animation Storytelling Experts?
A beautiful animation means nothing without a compelling story. That’s why working with animation storytelling experts is critical.
These professionals:
Understand narrative structure and audience psychology
Know how to frame product benefits within emotional stories
Can transform dry data into memorable moments
Help avoid jargon and information overload
The difference between a good explainer video and a great one almost always comes down to storytelling.
Choosing the Right Video Animation Company
Not all studios are created equal. When selecting a partner, look for a video animation company that offers:
Strategic insight: Not just pretty visuals, but clear messaging
Portfolio variety: Experience across industries and styles
Client collaboration: A transparent and flexible production process
Full-service capabilities: From scripting to final delivery
You’ll also want to check reviews, turnaround times, and how many revision rounds are included in their packages.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how explainer videos are made gives you a clearer picture of what to expect from the process, what you’re paying for, and how to get the most value. In 2025, with video becoming even more central to digital communication, an effective explainer video can be the secret weapon in your marketing arsenal.
By partnering with animation storytelling experts and a reputable video animation company, you can turn complex ideas into simple, unforgettable stories — all while staying within your desired explainer video production cost.