When most people hear the word “animatic,” they immediately think of cartoons. Makes sense. Animation studios use animatics as part of their pre-production process. But animatics are so much more than a step in making cartoons. They’re a powerful tool in live-action filmmaking, advertising, and just about any project that needs a clear visual game plan before cameras roll.
If you’ve ever tried to get a team aligned on timing, tone, or camera movement using only a script or static storyboard frames, you know how easily things get lost in translation. That’s where animatics come in. They give you timing, pacing, and even sound design in a way that brings the whole vision together.
Let’s dig into why animatics deserve a spot in your toolkit, even if you’ve never touched a cartoon in your life.
What is an Animatic?
An animatic is basically a storyboard that’s been edited into a rough video sequence. It’s made from storyboard frames timed out to match the script, with sound effects, music, or voiceover added. The result is a simplified version of your project that plays like a film—no guesswork required.
For example, say you’ve got a 30-second commercial. You can sketch out all the key shots and assemble them in a timeline that shows how long each one lasts, where transitions happen, and how dialogue fits. Suddenly, everyone from your producer to your editor knows exactly what’s going on.
Who Uses Animatics (and Why)?
Filmmakers: For directors, animatics help clarify camera angles, blocking, and pacing before anyone steps on set. They’re especially useful for action scenes, VFX shots, or anything with complex movement.
Agencies: In advertising, animatics are used to pitch and pre-test commercial ideas before production. Clients can visualize the ad without having to imagine what a static frame means. That means fewer revisions and more confidence on all sides.
Production Teams: Editors, cinematographers, and even composers benefit from a well-structured animatic. It sets the rhythm of the piece, showing where to hit emotional beats or transition between ideas.
Animatics vs. Storyboards: What’s the Difference?
Storyboards are the backbone. Animatics are the muscle. Both are vital, but they do different jobs.
A storyboard helps visualize the plan. But an animatic brings the plan to life. Once the storyboard frames are timed out and sequenced, you can start to feel the momentum of the piece. Even a few seconds of music or a subtle pause in dialogue can change how a scene feels—and an animatic is where you spot that.
When to Use an Animatic
You don’t need an animatic for every project. But here are some moments when it can save you time, money, and headaches:
1. Complex Sequences: If your project includes stunts, effects, or tightly choreographed scenes, an animatic can help prevent expensive mistakes on set.
2. Client Approvals: Some clients have a hard time visualizing from boards alone. An animatic gives them something closer to the final product, which can speed up approvals.
3. Pitching a Concept: Whether it’s a commercial, short film, or brand video, showing a moving animatic adds a professional polish that makes your pitch more convincing.
4. Editing Prep: Animatics give editors a sense of timing before footage even exists. That means fewer reshoots and more efficient post-production.
Real-World Example: Commercial Work
Let’s say you’re creating a 60-second spot for a beverage company. There are multiple characters, two locations, and a lot of quick edits to hit. You’ve got great boards, but the pacing is tricky. Should the hero moment last 4 seconds or 6? Should the cut between scenes be hard or dissolve?
With an animatic, you can test all of this before anyone calls “Action.” You drop the boards into a timeline, add temporary voiceover and a music bed, and now the entire flow is visible. You might even discover a scene that feels unnecessary, saving your client time and budget.
The Benefits Go Beyond Clarity
Here’s what animatics bring to the table beyond just visuals:
Timing and Rhythm: This is huge. Animatics let you fine-tune the flow of your piece. You’ll catch moments that drag or transitions that feel abrupt.
Mood Setting: Adding sound design or music, even temporarily, completely changes how a scene feels. It sets the emotional tone long before final production.
Cross-Team Communication: Whether you’re working with agency creatives or a film crew, animatics speak a universal language. Everyone sees the same thing, which cuts down on miscommunication.
Creative Discovery: Sometimes, once you see things in motion, new ideas emerge. You realize a scene works better in a different order, or that a moment should linger just a beat longer. That kind of insight is priceless.
Don’t Overthink It
You don’t need Pixar-level animation skills to make an animatic. Simple drawings, even rough sketches, can be enough. What matters is how the scenes are cut together and how the pacing supports the story.
In my own work, I’ve used everything from pencil sketches to full grayscale illustrations depending on the project’s needs. The key is making sure the visual intent comes through clearly.
Tips for Making a Strong Animatic
Start with solid boards: The clearer your key frames are, the better your animatic will work.
Keep it moving: Animatics don’t have to include every single frame. Focus on moments that convey action, change, or emotional shifts.
Use scratch audio: A temporary voiceover track or music bed can do wonders. It doesn’t have to be final, but it should represent the tone you’re aiming for.
Test and tweak: Once assembled, watch it with fresh eyes—or better yet, show it to someone who hasn’t seen the boards. What do they pick up on? Where do they get confused?
Animatics as a Confidence Booster
There’s nothing quite like heading into a production day knowing exactly what you’re shooting and why. An animatic gives you that confidence. It helps your team stay aligned, minimizes surprises, and sets the creative tone early in the process.
It’s a tool, yes. But it’s also a mindset. Using animatics shows that you value preparation and storytelling, not just execution.
Final Thoughts
So the next time you’re planning a shoot, whether it’s a brand campaign, a short film, or anything in between, consider adding an animatic to the mix. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just functional enough to let the story breathe and the visuals land.
If you’re looking for help with storyboards or an animatic that fits your project, I’d love to hear from you.
