'Animated vs. Live-Action: Which Video Type is Right for Your Brand?'

Regular videos appear to be nothing in comparison to creatively animated as well as high-quality, live-action videos. Modern world rules say if you can’t portray intuitively in a space of visually appealing illustrations, then it is probably hard to trust you as a brand. 

However, at the same time, the challenge of selecting one video format over another is the most crucial thing to decide. A right format for the right content, product, or theme can determine the success of your video content. Nevertheless, the quest between animated video and live-action video shouldn’t hinder your online branding or waste your time just identifying the correct video format for your brand. 

Hence, this blog is all you need to clear up your confusion! This blog highlights the difference between the two primary video types —animated video vs. live-action video—and helps you determine the right video type for your brand.

Let’s get started to understand the animated and live-action video types to have better clarity and understanding:

The videos, which are created using computer-made characters, drawings, and graphics and do not require actual humans, are called animated or animation videos. Even if not like a pro, most of us have used animation as kids. And many social media platform reels that one sees are made using animation. Notably, adding those effects to the texts and pictures in school presentations where your title used to bounce like a headshot or fly away as if they saw a Monday coming? That’s exactly what is called animation. While the level of animation differs due to the targeted audience, it helps brands generate revenue in multiple ways.

A video that has real humans, a real setup, and real objects is called a live-action video. Prominent examples of this include movies, TV shows, advertisements, and vlogs. They portray real-life settings captured on camera to create an intricate connection with the viewer. 

Undeniably, both video formats, whether the action of a live video or the moving effects in a 3D animation, are admirable for their unique features and the value they add to a video. If done vigilantly, they can have a long-lasting effect on the audience. 

The definitive way to identify which video format has the potential to meet your brand’s requirements is to test animated vs. live-action video at diverse parameters. Hence, we will scan through their merits and demerits to have a clear perspective of both structures.

Creative Freedom

Animated videos offer a space for extreme creativity, allowing brands to deliver stories or visualize concepts that can be difficult to convey through real-life examples or other means. The best example is animated video ads for social media.

Simplifies Complex Ideas

Animation videos allow brands to convey the message through graphics, illustrations, and computer-generated images. With its features like motion graphics, 2D animations, and other such elements, they can break down and portray even the most complex concepts in the finest manner. 

Cost-Effective Over Time

Once you buy the resources for the animated videos, they work as a long-term asset for your brand. It makes animated videos a one-time investment at first and a cost-effective process for a longer time.

Setup

You can easily create animated videos remotely or from any location. Unlike live-action videos, it does not require expenses for premium locations or extravagant setups. 

Time-Taking Production

To create intricate designs, add 2D animations or 3D animations, and customize them for diverse requirements, animated video production is a time-consuming process. 

Limited Emotional Connection

It is challenging to showcase a substantial look and feel of the product through animated video production. Hence, this video format might not be highly effective in convincing a prospect to buy the product. 

Authenticity

Live-action videos are filmed with the help of real people, a genuine environment, and existing objects. Watching live-action videos builds people’s trust in the brand and creates its authenticity in the market. A prime example is the ads you see on various platforms, which feature a real ecosystem. 

Emotional Engagement

Human expressions and real-world objects interact well with the audience. This can result in a strong emotional connection with viewers and higher customer engagement with your product.

Accessibility/Quick to Shoot

With the right setups and strategy, it’s easy to shoot a live-action video. In fact, for brands with a low budget, live-action videos can be easily shot on phone cameras. However, the results may not be entirely satisfactory. 

Setup

Real-time videos can be shot quickly within a few days. Being shot live, brands can also ask for immediate or on-the-spot changes in the video. 

Higher Production Costs

Live-action videos are generally costlier. With every shoot, they require massive resources, such as working in different locations, types of equipment, and human talent.

Less Flexibility

Live-action videos do not allow the flexibility to change or make edits once they are shot. Hence, live-action video production for businesses can be a daunting task once they have moved ahead of the shooting stage. How would you go back to the scene and change the characters, scene, or elements? And if you do it again, it might be heavy on your budget. 

Difficult to Repurpose

Live-action videos are not as effective as animated videos in repurposing and being used for different channels once the video production is done. 

These key highlights of animated vs. live actions can be determined as ideal according to your project types and their requirements. However, here are some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting the ideal video format for your brand. 

Even after knowing the best features and the setbacks, you might still get baffled when picking the right video format for your brand. Hence, here are the factors that would ease your hassle of picking between animated vs live-action video.

As discussed previously in the blog, to acquire the desired emotional impact as an outcome, live-action videos can be a game-changer for any brand. 

Be clear about the type of message you want to deliver to the audience. To elaborate vague concepts or abstracts, animated videos would be perfect. However, to build a strong emotional connection, opt for live-action video production.

Before choosing one from animated video vs live-action video, make sure to consider your brand’s personality. Understand it in a way that a tech company might benefit from immaculate animation, whereas a product-based company would require live action to win the market’s trust.  

If you are a brand with a limited budget, especially a startup, animated videos must successfully accomplish your requirements. This keeps your budget graph sound, especially when the finances are to be utilized for different marketing campaigns. 

A brand’s marketing strategy can include both live-action and animated videos. The decision is based on your brand identity, budget, audience, and message. You can make an informed choice that supports the objectives of your brand by being aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each format. But if you are still stuck on identifying the perfect video format, then Mediasolz is your ultimate rescuer and a partner to ease your videography hassles. 

Our video production company, MediaSolz, creates unique and intuitive videos that capture viewers’ attention, increase interaction, and foster a stronger bond between the brand and its target audience, ultimately leading to tangible outcomes. Our scalable digital video production services can help you with shorts, long-form, or promotional video campaigns of any type for any platform, including social media and over-the-top (OTT). Don’t let your thoughts set you back from achieving the desired retention and revenue. Let’s revive your video marketing strategy and make your brand take some vigilant, significant moves in the industry – connect now! 

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