Crafting High-Quality Hybrid Animation Video Content

Hybrid animation, also known as mixed media animation, implements animated or CGI assets into live-action footage. This can be a highly effective style of video content that has an immediate ‘wow’ factor, making it perfect for promoting brands, showcasing products, or acquiring new users.

There are many levels of execution for this style of video production, even within the Magic Media group, from big-budget work seen in movies like what Magic Media VFX & Cinematics provides with their services to the lighter, commercial, and marketing-focused hybrid animations we craft at Igloo Creative House. In the world of video production, hybrid animation is a clever choice for clients looking for attention-grabbing video content that can be produced leanly.

Applications of Hybrid Animation Videos

As previously mentioned, mixed media animation can be used for everything from blockbuster films to brand videos and commercials. Igloo Creative House is an expert in lightweight hybrid animation solutions that suit digital marketing needs. Though the difference between our output and that of blockbuster films might seem significant, the production values remain top-tier thanks to our in-depth understanding of its core principles – compositing is crucial, and a keen eye for detail is essential.

A prime example of the attention-to-detail required can be seen in our work with Manchester City F.C., which required thorough work to properly composite 3D animation with sweeping live-action sequences while integrating iconic Manchester City colors and imagery.

Naturally, movies will require perhaps more attention to detail as they’re made to be viewed on enormous screens, and the mixed media involved will naturally be subject to more scrutiny compared to shorter videos purposely crafted for digital marketing efforts. Regardless, quality shines through, as evidenced by our work on things like the Kryptomon trailer and our work with Holiday Finder.

Mixed Media Video Production

The video production process using mixed media isn’t unlike other styles on the surface level. It broadly consists of the pre-production, production, and post-production phases, though the intricacies of each phase are a bit different. Pre-production needs to be executed with as much precision as possible. Every shot can affect a production’s budget and final quality, so extra care must be taken when writing the script and developing the storyboard. For example, if your script calls for an actor to reach out and grab an object, the hand’s angle, the object’s placement, their pose, and more, need to be exact so that filming can be completed efficiently and precisely to what’s laid out in the storyboard.

Production is normally carried out using a green screen, or more rarely in a physical location. While filming live-action footage for hybrid animation productions, it’s paramount to include an on-set supervisor. Their sole purpose is to leverage their intimate knowledge of the script and storyboard to ensure that everything is going according to plan and if not, make the necessary adjustments. These adjustments commonly include repositioning actors, suggesting line of sight changes, and poses, and closely looking at the set dressing. Ultimately, a supervisor is essential for crafting high-quality hybrid animation and bridging the shooting with the post-production phase.

Post-production begins by piecing together a rough cut of what our video will be. This helps us gain a rough understanding of what the final product will look like using placeholders for the final animated elements to help the compositing process. With our rough cut in hand, we start the keying process, where we remove green screen elements and tidy and sharpen our footage of the live-action actors. Following this, we start compositing where we bring the live-action and animated elements together, in addition to adding lighting, shadows, and reflections – elements that help tie scenes together.

The Appeal of Hybrid Animation

When executed to a high quality, hybrid animation can encourage a ‘wow’ factor due to how visually impressive it can be. It’s difficult to achieve due to the sheer number of details you need to keep track of and the precise nature of the work, but with the right approach, you can achieve it without necessarily breaking the bank, something that Igloo Creative House is an expert in. It can be a relatively inexpensive option for clients looking to benefit from video content that stands out from the crowd and potentially makes a big impact.

Look no further than Igloo Creative House for an experienced video partner who can bring your content ideas to life whether it’s hybrid animation, traditional animation, live-action, or anything else. Contact us today to learn how we can help!

As part of Magic Media, we offer dozens of expert services for gaming, entertainment, and tech projects, including full-cycle game development, co-development, real-time VFX, and much more. Reach out and let’s create magic!