Live-Action vs Animation: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Video

The indecision between live-action vs animation is common as when it comes to creating engaging videos, it can be a key decision. So, even though you might be confused about the type of video that best suits your business for your marketing campaign, both present their own advantages. However, there aren’t big differences between live-action and animation videos when it comes to cost and time. The decision will depend on your company’s culture or target audience.

In addition, conveying your message to your audience is hard to achieve effectively. Therefore, this blog post will help you make an informed decision based on a deep knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of both videography options.

Live-action vs Animation Comparison

On the one hand, live-action videos are videos that capture the real world and which contain real people, objects or animals. Also, there are many different types of live-action videos, usually short and can approach customers efficiently. A couple of popular ones could be talking head videos, vlogs, interview videos and testimonial videos.

On the other hand, animated videos are computer-generated by moving 2D and 3D pictures. Animated videos usually start with drawings done by hand and businesses tend to use them for explanations or to share their brand’s stories.

Strengths of Live-action

1. Brings a Human and Personal Element

If you want to show the human side of your business (including emotions), a live-action video is the way to go as they capture genuine human emotions and interactions. Live-action videos are particularly interesting for businesses that are all about people or that require interactions. An example of a business requiring this type of video is a holiday resort. Here, a real-world video is needed to showcase the resort’s location, main features and the experiences of the guests.

2. Easily Presents Physical Products

Businesses can also use live-action videos to present tangible products such as shoes, handbags or jewellery. The more physical and tangible the product is, the more suitable this type of video is. This is because live-action videos help people see the product’s real quality and practical side. This, in turn, helps potential customers assess whether the product aligns with their interests and encourages them to make a purchase.  Also, people are more likely to relate to real scenarios that appear in live-action videos. An animated video, however, won’t be able to provide such details unless you invest a huge sum of money in a hyper-realistic 3D animation.

3. Most Times A Lot Quicker

As long as you don’t add too many complicated elements, video producers can shoot and edit live-action videos much quicker than animated ones. Especially, if there is a general structure for these videos in demand. An example is testimonial videos. Most businesses currently need them and as their structure is similar regardless of the business type, video production agencies can produce them fast.

Strengths of Animation

1. Simplifies Complicated Ideas

Animation explainer videos are a popular way of presenting and demonstrating sophisticated processes in an easy-to-understand way. So, one of the main advantages of animation videos is that businesses can use them to explain things effectively. Furthermore, animation videos also bring a lot of colour and expression to the videos making them more entertaining to the viewers.

2. Longer Shelf Life

Trends, technology lifestyle changes and videos become outdated quickly. If videos are not updated, viewers stop relating to the showcased content and sales start diminishing. Nonetheless, these changes do not affect animated videos that much as they have a longer shelf life than live-action videos. Besides, apart from the fact that businesses can use them for longer periods, animated videos are easily editable, which puts them at a greater advantage.

3. No Limitations In Video Creation and Creative Freedom

With animation videos, you can let your imagination run wild, and easily implement abstract ideas to not only capture viewers’ attention but entertain them. Therefore, animated videos are a key tool for marketing intangible products and services. An example of an intangible product will be an app. As a result, animation lets creators develop their creativity.

Weaknesses of Live-Action

1. Struggles With Complexity

A live-action video struggles a lot in terms of costs and time if you have abstract and complex ideas that you want to demonstrate. A live-action video is limited to a certain boundary of what it can achieve and implement when it comes to our realm of imagination.

2. Difficulty Of Reshooting

Once videos are done, it can be very difficult for a company to get the same team and actors to the location to shoot the video all over again. Thus, there is no room for mistakes. In the case of some mistakes happening, you should be able to work with the existing footage.

3. Creativity is Limited

Although videos can include effects, live-action videos struggle with creativity compared to animation, which has more creative expressions and is more dynamic.

Weakness of Animation Video

1. Production is More Time-Intensive

Animation video production can take longer than live-action video production. The reason why it takes so long is that video producers have to build everything from scratch: the background, the characters, the sounds, etc.

2. Real-World Conditions Harder to Duplicate

In animation video production, it is harder to bring in real-life environments such as the lighting or the realism of places. Then, it is better to avoid animation if this is a priority.

3. Difficult Bring Forward A Serious Tone

With animation videos, it can be very difficult to bring in the seriousness of a message with cartoony visuals. If you think about charities, for example, they rarely use animation for their videos to implement seriousness.

Overall, deciding on live-action or animation depends on the specific goals, resources, budget, timeline and the brand image you want to demonstrate. Both types of videos can be highly effective if you transmit the message correctly and resonate with your audience. Therefore, let creativity flow and choose the best option or even blend both formats if they adjust to your business.

Thank you for reading,

María & Sara.

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If you would like to do an Animated Video with video production and marketing professionals, or any other type of video, we can help you at Impress Video. We make video production for businesses, the ones that impress. Don’t hesitate to contact us here!