From sketch to screen.
AI animatics that won't get killed by legal.

An AI animatic is an animated storyboard finished with photoreal AI output instead of traditional 2D illustration or 3D CGI. At Animatic Media, every AI animatic begins with hand-drawn boards by the studio's visualizers, which are then translated to photoreal frames through ControlNet-guided generation. The result is a test-stimulus video at near-broadcast visual fidelity — produced faster than traditional animation and at lower cost than 3D pre-vis.

The same workflow that produces our AI animatics is the workflow that earned U.S. Copyright Registration PAu 4-297-548 — the first AI-finished commercial registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Hand-drawn boards establish human authorship; ControlNet preserves the artist's compositional intent; every prompt, sketch, and creative decision is documented. The methodology is backed by a formal legal opinion from Lorium PLLC. We provide the documentation needed if a client elects to pursue copyright registration on their work.

A traditional animatic uses hand-drawn or illustrated frames; an AI animatic uses photoreal AI-generated frames built from those same hand-drawn boards. Traditional animatics are stronger for character emotion and stylized briefs. AI animatics are stronger for photoreal product or location work, and for pitch reels that need to look closer to a finished commercial. Both formats start with the same boards — only the finishing tool changes.

3D animatics are built in CGI software (Maya, Unreal Engine, Redshift) and earn their scope when the brief requires precise camera moves, physics simulation, or spatial accuracy. AI animatics deliver photoreal visual fidelity through generative models at a fraction of the cost and turnaround. Most projects that previously called for 3D animatics now run as AI animatics. 3D earns its scope on a narrower set of briefs.

AI animatic pricing varies by length, scene count, character complexity, and finishing scope. The cost calculator on this page returns an indicative range; a 30-minute scoping call produces the firm number. Typical agency-pitch AI animatics run from low five figures for short cuts to mid five figures for full broadcast spots with original sound design and the documentation package.

Standard turnaround is 8 to 10 business days from approved boards. Hand-drawn board approval runs in days 1 to 2. ControlNet-guided photoreal generation lands in days 3 to 6. Editorial finishing, sound design, and the documentation package close the schedule. Pitch-cycle rush work is possible — call us and we will tell you what is achievable.

Two credentials no other AI animatic studio can match: U.S. Copyright Registration PAu 4-297-548 — the first AI-finished commercial registered with the U.S. Copyright Office — and 28 years of agency-room pre-production for Goodby Silverstein, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Wieden+Kennedy, BBDO, BBH, Ogilvy, Droga5, FCB, McCann, Leo Burnett, Adam & Eve/DDB, Lucky Generals, and Publicis. Founder Scott Ownbey personally drew the boards Steven Spielberg signed off on for Progressive's 1999 Super Bowl spot. Featured on CNN. Project Odyssey Top 25.

Yes. Every AI animatic ships with the documentation package needed to support a U.S. Copyright Office registration application — original hand-drawn boards, ControlNet prompts at each generation step, producer creative-direction notes, sketch-to-frame transformation records, and an authorship declaration. Registration filing is the client's election; the documentation is included as standard. Lorium PLLC issued the formal legal opinion underpinning the methodology, and clients pursuing registration should retain copyright counsel directly.

A global studio with remote offices in Palm Beach, London, and Los Angeles. SAM.gov-registered for US federal work (UEI CKCTG4PXFCL5, CAGE 5ENQ7) under NAICS 541810. Active socioeconomic certifications: Native American–Owned, Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned. For non-US engagements we work directly or through your existing agency structure.