Behind the Scenes of Animation – How a Film is Born at Pixiebug Studio
Welcome to the magical world of Pixiebug Studio! If you’ve ever wondered how an idea transforms into a stunning animation, we’re here to reveal the secret. Step by step, we’ll show you how we create our motion design films—from the initial request to the final delivery.
While the process is creative and exciting, at times, it feels like juggling a painter’s easel, a sound recorder, and a graphics tablet all at once. But hey, that’s what makes it fun!
0.) The First Step: The Big Idea and the Initial Request
Every film starts with a great idea! It usually begins with a message or a phone call:
“Hi there! We need an animation!”
We discuss the concept, goals, and message of the film. This is when we start unraveling the details, requirements, and—if necessary—the budget. Our pricing is flexible—we adjust the style and technical solutions to make the most out of the available resources.
For example, in the MAVIR LIFE project, the original idea was a hand-drawn, story-driven animation, but due to budget constraints, we reworked the approach. The final result was a fun explanatory animation. We animated the characters in MOHO, replaced one animated character with a live-action person, and enhanced the film with motion design elements. The result? The client loved it!
1.) Contract, Materials, and the Official Kickoff
Once everyone agrees on the proposal, we move forward. We set deadlines, gather necessary brand elements, logos, photos, and descriptions. Then comes the contract signing—to ensure everything is clear and transparent.
At this point, we officially commit to each other—it’s like an animated wedding, just with less cake.
2.) Script and Storyboard – The Foundation of the Story
Once we’ve established the core concept, we craft the script and storyboard.
The script is the soul of the animation—it determines who says what, whether there are characters, or if a wise narrator will whisper in the background. Sometimes the client writes it, sometimes we do. The key is that it must be clear, engaging, and impactful—because even the best animation can’t save a dull script.
The storyboard is the animation’s map—it shows how the story unfolds, when the visuals make an impact, and where dramatic pauses should happen. If the script decides that a cute little owl tells the story, the storyboard shows whether it’s perched on a branch or flipping through a PowerPoint presentation.
This phase ensures the story is both compelling and visually powerful.
3.) Storyboard – The Comic Book Version
A storyboard is a visual script that outlines what will happen in the film. Think of it as the comic book version of the animation.
At this stage, nothing moves yet, but we can see the flow of events. It helps us visualize the story and ensures that everything happens at the right place and time.
4.) Rough Animatic – Bringing the Idea to Life
Next, we create an animatic, a timed video made from the storyboard images, accompanied by a temporary voice-over (recorded by us, based on the script).
It’s like a living slideshow that helps us see how scenes will flow before actual animation begins.
5.) Recording the Narration – Giving Voice to the Story
Time to bring the script to life! We record the voice-over in this phase.
A great narration is like perfect seasoning in a dish—you don’t consciously notice it, but without it, something feels off.
If the film includes characters, we hold a casting session to find the best voices. Professional actors record their lines in a studio while we nod approvingly.
If there’s only a narrator, the process is simpler: we select one actor and record the full script. The audio engineer then edits and fine-tunes everything—bringing us one step closer to the final film.
6.) Creating Graphics – Designing Characters and Backgrounds
Now comes the fun part: designing the characters and settings.
This is where we shape our characters and worlds, defining the mood and visual style.
It’s a true workshop phase—we draw the characters, backgrounds, and every visual element (objects, icons, etc.).
7.) Advanced Animatic – Assembling the Pieces
We replace the storyboard images with final colored graphics, combined with the recorded narration.
This gives a clearer picture of the film’s final look, feel, and rhythm. It’s the last checkpoint before animation starts, making changes easier at this stage.
8.) Animation – Bringing the World to Life
Here comes the real magic!
Characters start moving, scenes come alive, and the entire world begins to animate. We bring characters to life through movement, expressions, and interactions—turning the story into a vivid experience.
This phase is time-consuming but incredibly exciting, as it’s when everything finally comes together.
9.) Sound Design – The Final Touch
Visuals alone aren’t enough—sound and music are just as crucial.
We add sound effects (wind, footsteps, clinking glasses, etc.) and background music to enhance the film’s mood. The audio engineer then balances everything—making sure it sounds as polished as it looks.
10.) Delivery – The Grand Premiere
Finally, the big moment arrives: the handover!
Everything is finalized, the client is happy, and we proudly deliver (digitally) the finished masterpiece. And hopefully… the client returns with their next project! 😁
Why Work With Us?
At Pixiebug Studio, creativity meets professionalism. We don’t just create animations—we bring ideas to life, making your message move and engage!
If you’d like to bring your next project to life, get in touch with us!
📌 Our websites:
👉 reginabacsa.com
👉 jeva.hu
👉 pixiebug.hu
