Explainer Video Production in Washington DC

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Animation and motion graphics are related but distinct disciplines. Animation typically involves characters, narrative storytelling, and scene-based sequences - like an explainer video that follows a character through a scenario. Motion graphics, by contrast, focus on animating graphic design elements: text, shapes, data, icons, and abstract visuals that move with purpose and rhythm.

Both are powerful communication tools, and many projects blend the two. A training video might use character animation to establish a scenario, then shift to motion graphics to display statistics or reinforce key takeaways. At RaffertyWeiss Media, we produce both - and our Washington DC clients in government, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector frequently use motion graphics to present data, simplify policy, and create visually compelling campaigns that stand out across digital and broadcast channels.

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.