By Anissa Douglass, Creative Director, Anissa Studio
The short answer: A creative consulting session is a working session where we take what you want to say and work out how it should look, sound and be made. You bring the idea, the book, the mission or the problem. You leave with a clear concept, a recommended format and a next step, before you spend money on production.
Most organizations come to us with something real: a mission, a book, a program or a grant deadline. What they don't have yet is the shape of the project. That's normal. You know your work. You don't have to know animation or video production. More on that in You Know Your Business. You Don't Have to Know Animation.
Who is a creative consulting session for?
A session is a good fit if:
You know your message but not what the video, animation or campaign should be.
You already have material, like a book, curriculum, presentation or footage, and aren't sure what to do with it.
You're choosing between animation and live action, AI-assisted and traditional, or one piece and a series.
You need to show a board, funder or partner what the finished piece could look like.
You've collected quotes from studios and can't tell which approach is right.
If you already have a finished script, storyboard and production plan, skip the session and send a project inquiry.
What happens during the session?
You tell us what you're trying to do. We ask about your audience, your mission and what has worked before. We listen for the story you may not see yet.
We look at what you already have. Your best material often already exists. For Equinix, a software tutorial assignment became a global campaign theme. See Do You Need a New Idea—or a Better Way to Develop What You Already Have?
We turn your ideas into visuals. Concept images and direction help you see what the finished piece could look like before anything is produced.
We recommend a format and approach. Animation or live action, AI-assisted or traditional, one piece or a series, and what each would take.
We map the next step. What to make first, what it needs, and how to think about budget and timing.
What you leave with
A concept you can explain to your team, board or funder
Visual direction that shows what the piece could look like
A recommended format and production approach
A clear first step, with a sense of scope and budget
Why start with a session instead of going straight to production?
Changes cost the least before production starts. Once a script is recorded or a scene is animated, every change takes time and money. See What Happens During Animation Pre-Production? A Complete Walkthrough.
Planning first also protects your budget and your schedule. For DC Doors, getting the story right ahead of time meant we could capture the spirit of their 24/7 drop-in center in a single day of shooting and stay within their budget. Read about the DC Doors documentary.
Is a $250 session worth it?
Compare it to the cost of changing direction halfway through production. One session sets the direction before you commit a larger budget.
A session also helps when production is months away, for example while you prepare a grant application, a budget request or a board presentation. You'll be able to describe the project clearly and ask for the right amount. See How Creative Strategy Shaped My DOT Grant-Funded Airport Campaign.
What clients say
"I had the pleasure of meeting with Anissa and sharing my vision for bringing my children's books to life through animation. Anissa immediately understood what I was trying to accomplish and was able to turn my ideas into visuals that helped me see what the finished product could look like. She is creative, knowledgeable, and has a wonderful ability to take a vision and make it feel achievable. I truly appreciated her insight, enthusiasm, and willingness to explore the possibilities with me. I look forward to seeing where this could take us!"
Sharon Lewis, Founder & CEO, Fiscal Pink
"From the beginning, Anissa and her team demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding our vision, our mission, and the heart of the work we do. What stood out most was their ability to capture the personality and spirit of our 24/7 drop-in-center and the young people we serve. They worked collaboratively with our team to bring our ideas to life while staying within our budget and during one day of shooting… We would highly recommend them to any organization looking for a creative, collaborative, and professional team that understands the importance of telling stories with purpose, authenticity, and dignity."
— Janethe Peña, CEO, and Pratima T. Narayan, DC Doors
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prepare anything?
No. Bring what you have: a book, a deck, links, notes or a rough idea.
Who should attend?
The person who owns the vision, plus anyone who will approve the project.
What if I'm not ready to start production?
That's fine. Use the session to plan, to prepare a funding request or to decide whether video is the right tool at all.
Do you only work with education organizations?
No. Anissa Studio works with educators, nonprofits, government agencies, brands and hospitality organizations.
Ready to find the shape of your project?
Book a Creative Consulting Session ($250). Already have a plan? Send a project inquiry.
Book a Creative Consulting Session — $250 · Send a Project Inquiry
