Explainer Video Production Timelines for Regulated Brands: What to Expect
Explainer Video Production Timelines for Regulated Brands: What to Expect
Explainer Video Production Timelines for Regulated Brands: What to Expect

2 Jul 2025

Explainer Video Production Timelines for Regulated Brands: What to Expect

Explore a realistic explainer video production timeline tailored for regulated industries. Discover what affects delivery and how to ensure compliance and clarity.

Simon Jones
Simon Jones

Simon Jones

CEO & Founder

2 Jul 2025

Explainer Video Production Timelines for Regulated Brands: What to Expect

Explore a realistic explainer video production timeline tailored for regulated industries. Discover what affects delivery and how to ensure compliance and clarity.

Simon Jones

Simon Jones

CEO & Founder

One of the first questions we’re always asked is, “How long will it take to produce our video?” It’s a fair question. But for brands in high-stakes industries like finance, legal, or energy, the answer isn’t as simple as it is for other sectors.

In a regulated environment, a successful explainer video production is not just about speed. It is about precision, compliance, and clarity. A rushed process is a risky one. A deliberate, structured process delivers results that are not only creative but also approved and ready to perform.

So, what does a realistic timeline look like? At Animara Studios, our process is built for the unique demands of regulated clients. Here’s a typical breakdown for a 60 to 90 second 2D animation.

A Structured Explainer Video Production Timeline Built for Compliance

Stage 1: Onboarding & Discovery (Approx. 1 Week)

This foundational stage is about alignment. We begin with a deep-dive Welcome Call and have you fill out a detailed Project Capture Form. We do not just discuss creative ideas; we get forensic about your compliance landscape, your target audience, and the specific message you need to communicate. Getting this right prevents costly changes later.

Stage 2: Scripting & Storyboarding (Approx. 1 Week)

This is the most critical and collaborative phase. We develop the full voiceover script and a visual storyboard that maps out what will happen on screen. For our regulated clients, we typically allow for unlimited revisions at this stage. Why? Because the script is the blueprint for everything that follows. It must be perfect, and fully approved by your internal stakeholders and compliance teams, before we record a single word or draw a single frame.

Stage 3: Voiceover Recording (Approx. 1 Week)

Once the script is locked, we move to the voiceover. We will provide a selection of professional artists that match your brand’s tone, whether it is authoritative, reassuring, or educational. The final recording is then sent to you for approval. Recording the audio before animating is a crucial step that reduces the risk of expensive rework later in the process.

Stage 4: Visual Development (Approx. 1 Week)

With the approved script and voiceover, our animation team gets to work on the visual style. This involves creating key scenes and assets based on your brand guidelines and the approved storyboard. This stage is about defining the look and feel of your video, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity. These visuals are reviewed internally by our editors to ensure quality before animation begins.

Stage 5: Animation (Approx. 2 to 3 Weeks)

This is where it all comes together. Our animators bring the approved storyboards and visuals to life, synchronising the motion with the voiceover and adding music and sound effects. This is the most intensive part of the explainer video production process, where meticulous attention to detail turns the blueprint into a polished, compelling narrative.

Stage 6: Final Review & Delivery (Approx. 1 Week)

We deliver a first draft of the full animation for your review. This is the moment to catch any minor details that need adjusting. The project includes one final round of tweaks to ensure everything is perfect. Once you give the final sign-off, we deliver the high-resolution video files, and full ownership is transferred to you.

What Can Affect the Timeline?

Our typical timeline for a 2D explainer video is around 7 weeks. However, this can change based on a few key factors:

• Client Responsiveness: The speed of your feedback and approvals on the script and storyboard is the biggest variable.

• Complexity: A high-end 3D animation will naturally take longer than a 2D motion graphics piece.

• Number of Stakeholders: The more people who need to sign off at each stage, the more time should be built into the schedule.

A trustworthy explainer video production partner will be transparent about these timelines from the start. They will prioritise getting it right over getting it done fast, because they understand that in your industry, there is no substitute for clarity and precision.

According to Wyzowl, 96% of people say they’ve watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service, reinforcing the need to get the process right from the beginning.

Ready for a smarter approach to explainer video production? Discover how Animara Studios simplifies complexity for regulated industries.

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