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Monthly service

Animated Short (≤30s)

A storyboard-led animation of up to 30 seconds for Reels, Shorts and feeds, with burned-in captions and licensed music, built for viewing with the sound off.

from $120.00 / per video
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  • 4 to 6 days
  • Billed per video
  • Delivered digitally
Overview

Thirty seconds, storyboarded before a frame is animated

This is a short motion piece of up to thirty seconds, built around one clear idea: a Reel, Short, looping website element, product teaser, process explanation, or animated version of a static diagram. The length is the constraint that shapes everything. Thirty seconds works best when it communicates one idea clearly rather than trying to compress several ideas into one video.

Work starts with a concept and storyboard. You see the sequence, on-screen text and pacing before animation begins, which makes this the simplest point at which to change the direction. Once the storyboard is approved, we animate it, add captions, and add music or sound effects from commercially licensed libraries where required.

Captions are burned into the video rather than relying entirely on platform-generated captions, because the video needs to communicate even when viewed without sound. The final file is exported as MP4 at the aspect ratio specified at brief stage. Vertical, square and widescreen formats can be accommodated, with the composition designed for the selected format rather than simply cropped afterwards.

The shorter-format video service in the Design & Video category: a focused concept, approved storyboard and finished animation for a single, clearly defined purpose.

Who it is for

What a thirty-second piece is good for

Social feeds and paid placements

Formats where you have only a few seconds to earn attention and where silent viewing is common.

Explaining one small thing

A single feature, process, statistic, comparison or step can often be communicated more effectively through motion than static text.

Bringing a static asset to life

An existing chart, diagram, illustration or product graphic can be animated so that the sequence or relationship becomes easier to understand.

What is included

What the production covers

What you receive

  • MP4
  • Source project file on request
How it runs

From order to hand-off

  1. 01
    Concept & script
  2. 02
    Storyboard & approval
  3. 03
    Animation & QC
Why HL Digital

Why HL Digital

Storyboard before animation

Creative decisions are settled before production begins, making changes considerably easier than after the animation has been completed.

Designed for silent viewing

Captions and visual communication are built into the piece rather than treated as an afterthought.

Commercially usable audio

Music and sound effects are sourced from libraries cleared for commercial use, unless you provide your own properly licensed material.

FAQs

Common questions

Is there a voiceover?
Not by default. Most 30-second pieces rely on captions and motion, but voiceover can be added if the concept requires it.
Which aspect ratio do we get?
Whichever format you specify at brief stage, vertical, square or widescreen. The composition is designed for that format from the beginning.
Do you write the script?
Yes. The concept, on-screen wording and pacing are developed as part of the storyboard stage and approved before animation begins.
Can you use our own footage, product images or screenshots?
Yes. Supplied footage, screenshots, product images, diagrams and other brand assets can be incorporated where appropriate.
Can the same animation be supplied in another aspect ratio?
Yes. A second format can usually be produced more efficiently after the first version has been approved because the core animation and creative direction already exist.
Can the animation loop seamlessly?
Yes. Seamless looping can be specified at brief stage where the intended use is a website background, looping graphic or similar application.
Do we receive the project file?
The finished MP4 is included. The editable source/project file can be supplied on request.
How many revisions are included?
One round of revisions is included at storyboard stage and one round on the animated draft. A substantial change of concept after storyboard approval may require additional work and will be confirmed before proceeding.

Ready to start with Animated Short (≤30s)?

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