the way we work is how we protect your budget & your sanity
After 20 years working as a Chicago video production and animation company, we've learned that how you work matters just as much as what you make. Whether you're coming to us for a brand film, a motion graphics project, or a documentary, we've spent those two decades honing our craft and continually evolving to keep things on time, on budget, and more importantly, actually good. No surprises. No mystery invoices. No wondering where things stand. If you want to know what we think about partnerships and pricing, see how we work.
two tracks. same commitment.
choose
your own adventure.
Whatever type of project you have in mind, take comfort in the fact that we got you. Follow the path below that matches the journey you plan to take.
Live-action production is part of the Big Teeth DNA. We've been doing it since the beginning and don't plan to ever stop.
Whether it's a brand film, a documentary, or a corporate video, every live-action project we take on in Chicago and beyond runs through this same five-step process. Clear communication at every stage. No surprises at any of them.
01
learn about the project (discovery)
We start by figuring out what success looks like for you, and your audience - not what we think it should look like. We listen and learn before we start dreaming up concepts.
02
Creative development
Now we dig in to the stuff we learned and figure out what's the story that needs telling. We talk style, structure, and the finer points of script (narrative) or outline (documentary). This is where your goals and our expertise meet and make beautiful music.
03
Pre-production
Here's where we enter the International House of Logistics (IHOL). What needs to happen? When? Where? Who? And all that fun stuff. Pre-production is the step most clients underestimate - and the one that keeps shoot days from turning into expensive chaos. We don't rush it.
04
PRODUCTION
Lights, camera... you get the idea. We've been assembling killer crews & talent in Chicago and across the country for 20 years who understand the vision and can actually execute it. Plus, we keep you in the loop the whole time because nobody likes surprises in video production (except the good kind, like when that lens flare comes out of nowhere and actually works).
05
post-production
Once the footage is shot, we bring the story to life (think of us as Geppetto if it helps). Editing, audio mixing, color, motion graphics, titles - everything gets done with your goals in mind, not our egos. The edit is done when it works, not when we've used every cool transition in the software.
LIVE ACTION
from brief
to brilliance.
01
learn about the project (discovery)
You tell us everything you know about your brand or product. We listen, ask and learn.
02
Creative development
Every animation project starts with understanding what you're really trying to accomplish. Are you trying to educate, persuade, entertain, or inspire? Who's your audience and where will they encounter this content? We don't pitch concepts that ignore your constraints. Instead, we find creative solutions that work within your parameters while still delivering something that stands out.
03
script
What's the voice? Humor? Sincerity? The words that shape your message come out to play.
04
style frames
This is where we figure out what your animation should actually look like. Simple illustrations? Detailed characters? Abstract shapes ? The style needs to serve your message, not just follow trends. Whether we're building off your existing brand guidelines or creating something entirely new, the design work supports your story, first.
05
storyboards
You know what it is: Key visual moments within the story to make sure direction is right before we start animating. Something different with ours is that we usually create these in the actual design style of the final product instead of sketchy drawings. This way it's much easier to make changes than after we've already animated 90 seconds of content.
06
animation
All those pretty pictures start to move. This is also where project management becomes critical. Animation looks digital and easy, but it's not. Each second of finished animation can take hours or days to create. That's why we plan thoroughly and communicate constantly. We provide regular updates so you can see how things are developing.
07
voice over
If you have a narrator or characters speaking, here's where grown women get to sound like little boys.
08
music & sound design
Animation without good audio is just a moving picture. We approach sound design and music selection with the same strategic thinking we bring to the visuals. Sometimes you need custom music that matches your brand perfectly. Sometimes the right stock track does exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost. We work with composers and sound designers who understand that audio in business content needs to support the message, not compete with it.
Animation lets you show things that would be impossible, expensive, or just plain boring to film. You control every element of your story.
Our 2D animation services and motion graphics production aren't about following trends, collecting trophies, or impressing other animators. We create animation that serves your business goals first, and looks impressive second.