Explainer Video Production in Washington DC

When the subject is complicated and the audience can't afford to be confused, you need an explainer video that actually explains. RaffertyWeiss Media has spent 25 years producing explainer videos for federal agencies, nonprofits, associations, and corporations across the Washington DC region - turning dense policy, technical processes, and complex programs into clear, compelling visual stories.
We don't just animate. We translate.

Whether you're a corporation, nonprofit, educational institution, or government agency, we can help you effectively communicate, market, and train.
Contact RaffertyWeiss Media today, and let us bring your story to life with customized explainer animations that captivate and motivate your audience.

Explainer Video Services

Every explainer video we produce goes through a strategy-first process: we define the core message, the audience, and the one thing viewers need to walk away knowing - before a single frame is animated. We produce explainer videos in a range of formats, matched to your audience, message, and distribution channel:

2D Animated Explainer Videos

Clean, versatile, and cost-effective for communicating processes, policies, and programs.

Motion Graphics Explainers

Data-driven and brand-forward, ideal for reports, presentations, and social media.

3D Animated Explainers

High-impact visual storytelling for product launches, technical demonstrations, and trade shows.

Live-Action + Animation Hybrid Explainers

Combining real footage with animated overlays for training and compliance content.

Multilingual Explainer Videos

Full production in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, and other languages for diverse audiences.

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Featured Work

Explainer Videos for Government, Nonprofit, and Corporate Clients

Our explainer video clients include federal agencies, national nonprofits, healthcare organizations, associations, and Fortune 500 companies. We understand the unique communication challenges of each:

Government Agencies

need explainer videos that are accessible, compliant, and capable of reaching diverse populations - including multilingual communities. We've produced explainer content for the Department of Labor, Department of Justice, CMS, NCIS, the U.S. Navy, and HealthCare.gov.

Nonprofits and Associations

need explainer videos that build donor confidence, communicate mission impact, and drive action - without a Hollywood budget. Clients like the American Red Cross, United Way, AARP, and the PAN Foundation have trusted us to tell their stories.

Corporations and Defense Contractors

eed explainer videos that communicate technical complexity clearly and professionally. We've produced explainer and training animations for Lockheed Martin, Peraton, Dominion Energy, Fannie Mae, Amtrak, and Gallup.

Explainer Videos in Action: AARP SmartDriver

AARP needed to educate older adults on driving safely in an increasingly complex environment - new technology, bike lanes, changing traffic patterns, and evolving road conditions. The challenge: reach a diverse, aging population across the country, in multiple languages, with content that was engaging and easy to follow.RaffertyWeiss produced a series of 20 explainer videos and animations used across AARP's SmartDriver program nationwide. The explainer videos are used in live training sessions to reinforce program objectives and are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Portuguese.The series has won nearly a dozen industry awards - and continues to be used in AARP's driver safety curriculum across the country.AARP needed to educate older adults abour driving safely. With all the new technology, bike lanes, weather patterns, etc. its and ever changing landscape for these older population.

Why DC Organizations Choose RaffertyWeiss for Explainer Videos

There are a lot of explainer video companies. Here's what's different about working with us:

25 years of DC-area Production Experience

We know the clients, the compliance requirements, the procurement processes, and the communication culture of the DC region. We've worked with federal agencies, Hill offices, national associations, and major nonprofits - we understand what it takes to get content approved and deployed at scale.

Strategy Before Animation

Most explainer video companies start with style frames. We start with your audience and your message. Every explainer video we produce is built around a clear communication objective, not just a visual brief.

In-house Production, Start to Finish

Scripting, storyboarding, voiceover, animation, sound design, and final delivery - all handled under one roof in Bethesda, MD. No outsourcing, no handoffs, no surprises.

Multilingual Capability

We produce explainer videos in multiple languages with native-speaker voiceover and culturally appropriate adaptation - not just translation.

Track Record You Can Verify.

We've won close to a dozen industry awards for animation and explainer video work. Our clients include household names across government, nonprofit, healthcare, and corporate sectors.

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RaffertyWeiss Media is a trusted creative partner that has delivered multiple video and animation outputs for us here at Lockheed Martin.
Phil Santucci
Lockheed Martin
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Explainer Video FAQ

Explainer video costs in the Washington DC area typically range from $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on length, animation style, number of revisions, and whether multilingual versions are required. A 60-90 second 2D animated explainer video generally falls in the $8,000-$20,000 range. More complex 3D animation, live-action hybrid production, or series work (multiple videos) will increase the investment. At RaffertyWeiss Media, we provide detailed scopes based on your specific goals - we don't quote from a menu, because no two explainer videos are the same.

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How long does it take to produce an explainer video?

A standard 60-second explainer video typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from kickoff to final delivery. That timeline includes scripting, storyboard approval, voiceover recording, animation, and revisions. Multilingual versions, complex 3D animation, or federal review and approval processes can extend the timeline. For urgent projects, we can discuss expedited production schedules. We always recommend building in review time on your end - especially for government and nonprofit clients who require internal approvals.

What types of organizations do you produce explainer videos for?

We produce explainer videos for federal agencies, nonprofits, associations, healthcare organizations, universities, and corporations - primarily in the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, with national reach for larger clients. Our government explainer video clients include agencies like the Department of Labor, Department of Justice, CMS, and HealthCare.gov. Our nonprofit clients include AARP, the American Red Cross, United Way, and the PAN Foundation. Corporate clients include Lockheed Martin, Peraton, Fannie Mae, Amtrak, and Gallup.

Can you produce explainer videos in languages other than English?

Yes. We produce multilingual explainer videos in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, and other languages. Our multilingual production includes native-speaker voiceover talent and culturally appropriate adaptation of on-screen text and graphics - not just direct translation. Our AARP SmartDriver explainer video series was produced in five languages and is used in driver safety programs across the country.

What animation style works best for an explainer video?

The right animation style depends on your audience, message, and distribution channel. 2D animation is the most versatile and cost-effective for most explainer video use cases - policy communication, program overviews, training content, and public education. Motion graphics work well for data-heavy content or when brand standards are strict. 3D animation is best for product demonstrations, technical simulations, or high-stakes brand campaigns. Live-action combined with animation is effective for compliance and training content where real people need to appear alongside illustrated concepts. We'll recommend the right style based on your goals, not our production preferences.

Do you handle scripting and creative development, or do we need to come with a script?

We handle everything from concept to delivery - including scripting. Most of our clients come to us with a communication challenge, not a finished script. Our process starts with a discovery conversation to understand your audience, your message, and what you need viewers to do or believe after watching. From there, we develop a script, get your approval, and move into production. If you already have a script, we can work from that too.

What makes a good explainer video for a government or federal agency?

A strong government explainer video is accessible, compliant, and built for diverse audiences. That means plain-language scripting that meets federal readability standards, 508-compliant production (closed captions, audio descriptions where required), culturally appropriate imagery, and multilingual versions when the target population includes non-English speakers. It also means a production partner who understands government procurement, review cycles, and approval processes - and won't disappear when the contracting officer has a question. We've produced explainer videos for federal agencies for over two decades, and we understand what it takes to get content through review and into the field.