Dancing Line Productions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the VP, Executive Producer at McCANN Canada. We are an advertising agency and produce award winning creative for a number of Canadian clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

We were looking for an animation company who could design, animate and deliver 2 x :08 animations in English and French in less than 2 weeks with a staggered delivery.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found this vendors work online, reached out and had a discussion about the project. Dancing Line was interested, submitted a proposal and we proceeded to work with them.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Dancing Line send me a proposal with design frames as a pitch. We instantly knew they were the right animators for the project. They then created the illustration design frames, submitted for approval revised and locked the drawings. From there we moved into animation.

Again we had one round (due to the tight turn around), we relayed our feedback and it was addressed with final animation. They also sourced and licensed music for us to accompany the picture. They delivered the finished animation, layered design files and 1 GIF per creative concept.

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with Anik the owner and animation on this project. We did calls with my creative and account teams on Teams to discuss feedback from agency and client. Anik was great to work with. Super responsive and quick with revisions.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Client was thrilled and agency creatives have stated they want to work with Dancing Line again.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I was in contact with Anik daily and put my team on certain pieces of correspondence. Even with a 3 hour time difference, Anik made working with him seamless and quickly built a great working relationship with my team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Anik's dedication to the project and wanting to produce the best work possible. He is a true professional who we would gladly recommend to others and work with again.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a freelance creative working for a College helping them create recruitment materials.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

During this pandemic, it's been challenging to create video content but we still needed to make a video to attract new students to our online college courses. We decided to take the animation route and have Dancing Line animate a script that we'd written.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to attract more students to our online courses and degree programs.

SOLUTION

How did you select Dancing Line Productions?

We looked into a few animators and we liked their simple and effective animation style. We wanted something cool and timeless and their approach was perfect.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Once we selected Dancing Line we sent them a script along with the VO that we had recorded. They presented us with key frames which we chose between before moving on to animatics, which we had the chance to provide feedback on, and finally, the finished animation.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

It was very easy to work with Dancing Line. With the key frame process and animatics, we were always able to provide feedback and they responded quickly and efficiently to all notes. There were no surprises along the way and we were delighted with the final animation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We haven't seen results yet but we're excited with the final animation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective with their streamlined animation process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They make beautiful work with a keen eye for detail and humor.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, this was a delightful project from beginning to end.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a broadcast producer at an ad agency and an independent contractor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dancing Line Productions?

I was working with a client that had a really tight budget and we needed a partner who could create an animated video in that budget.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dancing Line Productions produced a video for my client. Our client approved everything at the rough cut stage of the project, so we didn’t even need their team to go through a final cut stage. He brought back suggestions when asked for them. 

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Anik (Animation Director). 

How did you come to work with Dancing Line Productions?

I found Anik’s website and saw his work. I recommended my client use them and said it would be stupid if we didn’t at least reach out to him. We talked for a long time and we came to an understanding of the budget and timeline. We agreed to work with a timeline to push our client to stay on top of it. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project ran from July–September 2020. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The quality of the work was exceptional. Anik is an artist and his animation has a unique look. I don’t see anything in the US that resembles his work. The client and creatives were thrilled with the final video. 

How did Dancing Line Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They met all of the deadlines and stayed true to our agreements. We completed the work ahead of time. He was perfect with deadlines and came through in spades. We communicated through email and telephone, and we also had weekly Zoom calls with the creatives. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d recommend him in a heartbeat. He used both sides of his brain — he was a great businessman but also a good creative. In my 30 years in the industry, I’ve never had a better experience than I did with Dancing Line Productions. The collaboration aspect was the best part of working together and we pulled the project off together. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any criticism at all. All concerns were addressed in a timely manner. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust him. He will not steer you wrong. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the former creative director for a digital advertising agency that specializes in pharmaceutical marketing. I was the director of the account for a depression and bipolar medication.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dancing Line Productions? 

We wanted to translate clinical data for the drug into an animation that patients would be able to understand. Patients want to understand clinical data, but they can't easily read the studies that are written for and by scientists and doctors. We wanted to be able to give them the information in a way that they could grasp.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wrote a script and developed simple storyboards. Dancing Line Productions took those and turned it into a fully animated video. The video is around two minutes long. Pharmaceutical marketing has a lot of regulatory complications. We had to bring the video in front of the regulatory board for review, and then Dancing Line Productions had to make changes. It can be a very challenging and frustrating process for animators who aren’t used to making changes so late in the process. 

What is the team composition? 

Anik (founder, Dancing Line Productions) was the only person we talked to.

How did you come to work with Dancing Line Productions?

We had a particularly loose, hand-drawn style in mind that we wanted to use. We searched for that style. Our producer reached out to several animators to get their reels for us to look at. Dancing Line Productions jumped out at us because Anik’s style matched our thinking. He has a really exciting style because his movement feels alive and free. It’s really beautiful, and we thought it would work well for our project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in 2011, and the entire process took about six months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Dancing Line Productions managed to do something that our agency had unsuccessfully tried to tackle before. The video was a breakthrough for the idea of translating clinical data into something patients can understand. Our client originally felt that it wasn’t a good idea to try this because it might end up confusing patients. We pitched them that patients would benefit learning about the clinical data. 

The video made a big impact on the agency. It extended our relationship with the client because they saw the value that we could bring with this kind of messaging. It also led to the growth of the account overall. When I started on the account, it was quite small, but it grew due in large part to the positive impression from this video.

How did Dancing Line Productions perform from a project management standpoint? 

We never had any timeline issues, which is impressive because the review process can be quite stressful. We put a lot of pressure on Anik to do more than animators are usually asked to do in a short amount of time. He was great to partner with because he got our vision and was so professional. He was flexible with the timing for making changes. He was really good at communication. If he ever needed more time, he'd let us know in advance. He was always good at making sure we would stay on track. 

What did you find most impressive about them 

The particular animation style was exactly what we were looking for. It’s really delightful. We pitched the idea using storyboards and scripts. It was so cool to see our client’s eyes light up once they actually saw the animation. The style really sells the video. 

Also, Anik’s demeanor was so great. He's always enthusiastic and easy to work with. He’s a total professional but also friendly and eager to help. Animation projects are always challenging, but he made it easy. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

We were completely pleased with everything Anik did for us. However, we couldn't hire him for large projects because he didn't have the capacity. We wanted to work with him and continued to reach out for him for other videos. We did a couple of small projects together but would have given him more business if he was able to take on bigger projects. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Anik will make the process easy for you. I can't say that there are any particular challenges in working with him. If his animation style is appealing to you, don’t hesitate to reach out.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the manager of corporate services at a large government agency. I was in charge of creating content for health and safety tool kits. The kits were geared toward stopping domestic violence in the workplace as well as bullying and harassment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

We hired Dancing Line Productions to create educational animations. We wanted the content to be engaging, easy to understand, and informative.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to have animated videos to inform employees about their legal rights and responsibilities within the workplace.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After meeting with a few vendors, I felt Dancing Line Productions was the most professional option. I was impressed by their portfolio and knew they’d excel in navigating the project with us.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Dancing Line Productions began by gathering information to understand the project and our overall goals. From there, they created a storyboard, and we gave them our edits and feedback. We went through multiple rounds of iterations until we came to a version we were satisfied with. Their team then produced the animations for us.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We were able to submit changes or provide feedback on their work throughout the project. They were receptive to anything we had to say and incorporated our ideas into every draft. Although we had to consider several stakeholders and were new to the process, Dancing Line Productions was patient and willing to work at our pace.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The animated videos have been greatly successful for us. They’ve received thousands of views on YouTube, as well.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were easy to communicate with. Their team listened to our needs and gave us many opportunities to provide feedback.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

From start to finish, Dancing Line Productions made the process seamless. Anik (Animation Director, Dancing Line Productions) was great to work with, and we didn't hesitate to pick them for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a senior art director for an ad agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

We needed four animated, illustrated videos with voiceovers, sound effects, and music for an energy client of ours. The topics were in indoor/outdoor electric safety, renewable energy, and environmental green messages.

What were your goals for this project?

The videos would be posted on our client’s YouTube channel and website so children could learn about energy in a fun, engaging way.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched online for an animator/illustrator that could explain complex ideas with the style and creativity we were looking for.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We started by creating a written script and storyboard and discussing character styles. Then, we refined the look, made a few changes, which they implemented quickly, and went into full animation. Once it was complete, we recorded voiceovers and added music and sound effects.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We worked according to a timeline that I created and they helped refine, which detailed our budget and deliverable deadlines. Contending with holiday vacations was challenging internally, but we accomplished all our goals.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We’re still gathering data, but we expect the videos to fully integrate their website's children’s area and YouTube channel into our their marketing plan.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very good.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They proposed creative solutions to problems that otherwise would have limited our videos’ effectiveness.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I saw. Dancing Line went out of their way to make us happy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was a partner and producer at a film and video production company based in Los Angeles and New York City. We created TV commercials, branded videos, documentaries, and more.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

Our client was an assisted living provider, and they asked us to produce a commercial that would highlight the various services they offered in their communities. Dancing Line's simple and clean sensibility made them the perfect partner.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to deliver an animated commercial to our client that they could use to advertise their services effectively.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We saw Dancing Line Productions’ work in another commercial and were quite impressed. We felt their sensibility would match our client’s needs and our creative direction.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We suggested an animated spot rather than shoot live-action scenes, which could have been depressing to look at. Once we partnered with Dancing Line Productions, we shared our ideas and sketched storyboards. Once we agreed on the storyboards, the animation process began. It was a quick and smooth process.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Our client signed off on the storyboards and provided feedback on each round of animation. The entire process was efficient, and the turnaround was incredibly fast.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our client was thrilled with the final product and used the animated spot for much longer than anticipated. They loved the work so much that they hired Dancing Line Productions and us for a second project.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was stress-free. The Dancing Line Productions team was easy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their obvious talent, professionalism, and ability to take direction made them the ideal partner. I highly recommend them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The project could not have gone better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the manager of a communications department for a healthcare company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dancing Line Productions?

My company engaged Dancing Line Productions to produce a commercial about our health plan.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an animated 60-second commercial that promoted the distinct benefits and features of our health plan. We needed to convey a clear message that would distinguish us other healthcare companies in the area.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My company discovered Dancing Line Productions on Google. We contacted them and began the project shortly thereafter.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We provided Dancing Line Productions with our script and storyboard, which an oversight agency had pre-approved. Dancing Line Productions sent us draft sketches and worked with us to create illustrated characters. They animated and produced the video content. They also incorporated a music track and a single-voiced message. After animation, we completed edits.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Anik (Animation Director & Founder, Dancing Line Productions) was receptive to feedback and worked through edits in a quick and satisfactory manner.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The commercial won a major industry award and our enrollment rose by approximately 650%. Our company was so pleased with the final product that we aired it on local stations during a national sports event.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We maintained a great working relationship. Dancing Line Productions facilitated effortless communication between the two teams.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I cannot provide enough praise to Dancing Line Productions’s capacity for excellent illustration, animation, and commercial production. They incorporated all of the information and feedback we provided into the final edit. The commercial came together quickly because they delivered rapid turnaround. They perfectly captured the spirit of our company and brand.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I saw no areas for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I worked as the agency producer for the Williams Whittle Association and handled all of their video production until 2018. I collaborated with the creative director to support their broadcast and other production work.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dancing Line Productions?

We hired Dancing Line Productions after Virginia Hospital Center became a client of ours. They were looking to do commercials that highlighted their accomplishments and affiliations. We needed a team to help us create the style of animation our client wanted.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We sent Anik (Animation Director, Dancing Line Productions) the script with a scratch voiceover. He sent us sample frames and create a rough outline of a storyboard to give us an idea of how many frames would be included. After receiving our approval, comments, and revisions for each stage, Dancing Line Productions created more complete versions to submit to our client. Their team fully executed the commercials, including the voiceovers, music, and line drawing animation work. They created a 30-second, 15-second, and 10-second version of each commercial spot.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Anik. We managed the project together and acted as the liaison between our teams.

How did you come to work with Dancing Line Productions?

We considered 30–40 companies for the project and narrowed the list down to 6–7 to thoroughly vet. Both our agency and client liked Dancing Line Productions and chose them for the project. A few pieces from their reel had the exact style, fluidity, and execution we wanted.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2015–2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The client was very satisfied with the awareness Dancing Line Productions helped raise. The commercials earned the desired result and delighted both teams.

How did Dancing Line Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great to work with, especially Anik. Every note we sent them was executed and revised within hours. They delivered the work on time, even the more time-consuming tasks like redrawing frames. Anik was highly was responsive and often produced work within one day, even with the time differences. Dancing Line Productions came in on time and within our budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a team of creative and talented animators—they made everything a positive learning experience. Our client had never worked with an animator for an entire spot, but Anik was patient and responsive to all of their needs. Even though we had a tight budget and production window, they didn’t disappoint and got everything to us as expected.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing for them to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear idea of your needs and tell them your expectations from the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an executive at an advertising agency called DDB Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dancing Line Productions?

We were seeking a vendor that could create animated videos for some of our client projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided Dancing Line's team with some rough ideas and storyboards of what we wanted to create, and they brought some of their own suggestions to the table before producing the animated video content we needed. They worked on about 10 different videos for us in total.

What is the team composition?

I dealt directly with Anik (Founder, Dancing Line Productions), who was very personable and took direction very well.

How did you come to work with Dancing Line Productions?

Our in-house production managers helped find a few agencies for us to interview and, once we reviewed some of their previous work, we knew Dancing Line would be able to bring simple characters to life in a fun way.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them for two to three weeks in 2011. If we ever need similar services, we would reach out to them again.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They delivered a lot of unique and fun animated videos in a short amount of time. Although we requested some minor tweaks here and there, the animations they created were spot on for the most part.

How did Dancing Line Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good at listening to our needs and providing feedback to bring our visions to life. They were quick to make any changes we requested and proactive about meeting deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were responsive, good listeners, and detail-oriented when it came to creatively responding to our rough ideas.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything. They understood the direction we wanted to go in very well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Providing detailed or even rough storyboards or sketches will help their team envision client goals–the more direction you can provide, the better.