What is an animatic?

What is an animatic?

An animatic is a preliminary but visually accurate representation of your animation. Think of it as a storyboard that comes to life in a video montage: shots are given an exact duration, a temporary voice-over and sometimes placeholder music are added, and there are simple movements or camera pans. This allows you to immediately see how scenes connect, whether the structure is logical, and whether the message comes across clearly. The animatic is part of the broader Animation Video: Step-by-Step Plan from Idea to Delivery.

Whereas a storyboard consists of static drawings, an animatic goes a step further by incorporating timing, rhythm, and audio. This allows you to truly experience the story in terms of tempo and flow. It is not a final image: stylistic details, color corrections, and refined animation are deliberately omitted. It is precisely this rough form that makes quick adjustments possible. The script is often the starting point for the storyboard and animatic; see How to write a script for an animated video. Whether it's 2D, 3D, or motion graphics, the animatic serves as a blueprint for the final production. In practice, you use the animatic as a common reference point for the client and studio, so that everyone has the same expectations regarding sequence, framing, and voice-over pacing.

Why is an animatic important?

An animatic allows you to eliminate uncertainties early on in the process. You can validate the storyline, refine the text, and identify any issues with timing or image transitions before investing time in the details. This gives you the freedom to test different options and, where necessary, eliminate any favorite elements without incurring costly rework. It also helps with internal communication: stakeholders respond to something that moves and sounds, not to separate images. This allows you to gather targeted feedback and make informed adjustments. Want to get started with timing and visual planning in a practical way? Because timing often relies on (tempo) audio, this guide is useful: Voice-over for animation video.

At Animation Agency , the animatic Animation Agency a fixed feedback milestone. You control the pace, sequence, and framing, and we then translate that into the final animation. The result is clarity for everyone and a production that runs faster and more predictably. Curious about how we do this? See Our approach.

Animatics save time and money

An animatic may feel like an extra step, but it actually prevents costly changes later on. Adjustments to timing or storyline are quick and inexpensive at this stage, whereas the same changes in finished animation take much more time. By creating consensus in advance about flow, voice-over, and camera work, you reduce the risk of misunderstandings, shorten turnaround time, and keep production costs under control.

Frequently asked questions about animatics

Is an animatic the same as a storyboard?

No. A storyboard is a series of still frames that show the structure. An animatic is the montage of those frames in video, with exact timing, temporary voice-over, and simple movements. This allows you to experience the rhythm, pacing, and framing as in the final animation. You can find more background information in What is a storyboard?

Want to make sure your story is visually appealing and paced just right? At Animation Agency , you Animation Agency a clear animatic with clear feedback moments, so that the final animation perfectly matches your goals.