The key to producing animation without a budget is to get all the resources for free, like software or training.

production workflow

Of course, to produce animation you need to understand the entire process. Here’s the rundown of what it takes: Script, Storyboard, Audio Dialogue Recording, Music, Sound Effects, Sound Editing, Animation, Character Design, Animation, Scene Composition, and finally Editing.

And if you want to achieve this, you need software. Don’t worry, at the end of this article you will find the names of the programs and applications that you can download for free.

Script and Storyboard

Before the script, you need the idea for your next story, once you have it, you can start writing. The best way to do this is by using a professional screenwriting application that can be accessed online for free. I recommend Adobe Story.

Then after the script, you continue to visualize your project in a storyboard. How can you do this for free? Well, simple. Does pencil and paper ring a bell?

Audio

A word of warning for those who have projects with dialogue. you need a couple of bucks to buy at least one microphone. So if you don’t have any budget, stay away from stories with dialogue.

Now, if your project has no dialog, then you need audio software to mix all the sound effects and music. I recommend Audacity, because it’s free and has lots of tutorials on YouTube.

animatic

The animatic is a storyboard video with music and sound, maybe even some dialogue. This video can be edited in a video editing software. For that, you can try Avidemux.

Animation and Editing

Now that you have your animatic, you can do all your animation with Synfig, which is also free. Of course, it will not have all the features that any professional software has, but it will work.

Once you have your animations ready you can put all the scenes together using your video editing software, click Render and you have your animation.

final thoughts

You should know that everything free has a cost. In this case, since you’re not spending a dollar, it just means you’re going to work harder and spend more time because all free software has limitations.

My suggestion is to go for two Adobe products, one for animation (can be Flash or After Effects) and one for video editing (Premiere Pro), which means spending $40.00 USD per month, saving a lot of time thanks to great features . they have.

And if you are a teenager reading this without a credit card, then you can try the free alternative, just keep in mind that this will mean a bigger investment of your time.

Free Resources: These are the names of all the software you can download for free. Google them.

Screenwriting Online Apps

adobe history

celtix

drawing program

Alternatives for Adobe Photoshop:

Gimp

coast

Alternatives for Adobe Illustrator:

ink landscape

Apache Open Office Giveaway

animation software

Synfig Studio

Audio recording and editing software

Audacity

video editing software

Avidemux

royalty free music

incompetech