A good explanatory film is an investment in clear communication — and as with any investment, there is the question of costs. As an animation studio with many years of experience, we at Jojomoto know that transparency in pricing is essential. In this article, we explain which factors influence the costs of a professional explanatory film and provide specific insights into our pricing structures.
Before we go into detail: A professional explanatory film starts with Jojomoto 8,000 euros for 1 minute Movie length. For shorter formats such as social media clips, we start with 3,000 euros for 30 seconds. But what do these costs consist of?
The more complex the topic to be explained, the more intensive is the discussion of content in the concept phase. At Jojomoto, we attach particular importance to a deep understanding of our clients' topics — this is the only way we can actually communicate the content in an understandable way.
This process includes:
- Intensive discussions with experts
- Independent research on the subject area
- Identification of key messages and target group needs
- Structuring complex content into an understandable narrative form
For particularly professionally demanding topics such as technical innovations, scientific processes or complex social relationships, the research effort can be correspondingly high.
Film length is an obvious cost factor, but not the only one. Information density is also relevant. A 90-second explanatory film usually comprises 220-250 words of narration and, depending on the complexity, the same amount of text may require a different number of visual scenes. The number of scenes and transitions directly influences the animation effort.
A compact film with a high information density can certainly be more complex to produce than a longer film with a lower tempo.
Motion graphics form the basis of our work — the dynamic animation of text, shapes and colors, which can be implemented in both 2D and 3D. Visual complexity influences production costs and therefore costs.
Interestingly enough, the price differences between different styles are not as serious as often assumed. The reason: For every project, we invest heavily in concept and style development — regardless of the chosen style.
In addition to pure animation, we offer various specialized additional services that can influence the overall costs of a project.
Choosing the right voice is crucial for the effect of an explanatory film. The costs for this vary depending on the experience and reputation of the speaker, scope of usage rights (web, event, TV, cinema), length of text and recording costs, international or regional specifics as well as possible adjustments and rerecordings
Tailored acoustic elements can significantly enhance the effect of a film and precisely set sound effects accentuate the important visual elements. Atmospheric soundscapes create an emotional effect and connect individual sounds together. We use this sound package most often in our explanatory films, together with well-selected GEMA-free music.
Individually composed music fits perfectly with the rhythm and character of the film. Here, we can set the right moods at any time with the music and highlight exact accents. As with voice services, there are different license models for different purposes.
For international projects, we offer the creation of multilingual versions and guarantee professional translation taking into account cultural characteristics, precise adaptation of the animation for different text lengths, timely coordination of international voice recordings and the technical integration of different language versions.
Adapting a film for different media and platforms is an important means of being able to use the film for different requirements. There are various options for this, such as redesigning between landscape and portrait mode for various social media channels, optimization for specific platforms (YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) or creating short versions or teasers for various purposes. Adapting to the technical requirements of various presentation environments (trade fairs, events) can be important so that the entire audience can follow the film.
While some of these additional services can represent significant cost factors, others — such as simple subtitles or minor format adjustments — are comparatively less significant.
When producing a professional explanatory film, the costs are spread across different production areas. For an average 90-second explanatory film, the percentage weighting could be as follows:
Concept and Strategy 5-10% of the budget
This includes: topic research, target group analysis, narrative conception
Creative development 10-15% of the budget
This includes: style development, storyboard, visual concept
Visual production 20-30% of the budget
Includes: design of all visual elements, characters, environments
animation production 35-45% of budget
This includes: technical implementation, movement, effects, fine-tuning
Audio and sound 10-15% of the budget
Includes: voice recordings, sound design, music, mixing
project management 5-10% of the budget
This includes: coordination, customer communication, quality assurance
This distribution may vary depending on specific project requirements. Particularly complex topics may require a higher proportion of the concept phase, while visually complex productions require more budget in the animation and design phase.
To make pricing even more tangible, here are three of our projects with different scope and budget:
For a non-profit organization, we developed a concise explanatory film about an innovative data infrastructure project. The challenge was to visualize an abstract concept for using data for social innovations in an understandable way.
The film served as an introduction to a new website and as presentation material at events. We used clear, easy-to-understand imagery that makes complex data concepts accessible to a wide audience.
For an international technology company, we produced a visually sophisticated film that demonstrates the global reach of their infrastructure. The particular challenge of this project was the integration of several animation techniques (graphic elements, abstract 3D representations and data visualizations), the stylistic development of the existing corporate design for moving image communication and the translation of technical functionalities into understandable and attractive visual metaphors.
The result is a high-quality film that makes the complexity of modern technology accessible through a clear visual language.
For a major German city, we produced a longer explanatory video about a municipal development program in the area of housing and urban development. The special requirements here were the comprehensible visualization of complex urban planning and social relationships, the development of a variety of characters and scenes to represent urban life and provide solutions for current challenges such as housing shortages and climate protection.
The film combines fact-based information with empathetic narrative and thus makes complex urban planning concepts accessible to the general public.
A professional explanatory film is an investment that pays off. The value lies in several aspects, which combine to ensure sustainable effectiveness:
At Jojomoto, we invest heavily in understanding our clients' issues. Our aim is not only to visualize superficially, but also to provide profound understanding. This content penetration is time-consuming, but forms the basis for every successful explanatory film. Only when we have fully understood a topic can we prepare it in such a way that it is also understandable for the target group — regardless of how complex the initial situation is.
Instead of using ready-made templates, we develop an individual visual concept for each project. This takes into account the specific needs of the target group, the character of the content conveyed, the visual identity of the customer and the optimal balance between aesthetics and information transfer. This careful coordination of all visual elements not only creates an appealing look, but also actively supports the communication of the message.
The technical implementation requires specialized know-how and care. From professional animation techniques for smooth, natural movements to sophisticated sound design that supports the visual level, to precise coordination of image and sound — every detail is implemented with the utmost care. The final output quality for various media and platforms also requires technical expertise, which is clearly reflected in the end result.
Professional project management, which accompanies the entire production process, is an often underestimated value factor. Clear timelines and milestones, transparent communication in every project phase, structured feedback processes and the option of two correction loops per milestone ensure a smooth process. This organizational framework may not be visible in the finished film, but it is crucial for the timely delivery of high-quality results.
For customers who regularly need explanatory films or other animation formats, we offer attractive retainer models. These offer several benefits
- Significant price advantages compared to individual bookings
- Continuous contact person who knows the topics and requirements very well
- Discounted additional productions outside the retainer package
- Consistent visual language across different productions
A professional explanatory film is an investment in clear communication. The costs reflect the comprehensive process required to communicate complex topics in an understandable, appealing and targeted manner. At Jojomoto, we value:
- Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
- Tailored solutions instead of standard products
- Empathetic approach to our clients' topics
- Highest quality craftsmanship in every production step
We do not see ourselves as a mere service provider, but as a partner who contributes its expertise to achieve communication goals. This approach is reflected in our awards — and in the quality and effectiveness of the films we produce.
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