Interactive Video Production
30-Second Summary
Interactive video production lets viewers shape the story or see personalised content, creating deeper engagement than traditional film. At Hocus Pocus Studio we combine animation, live action, and programming to deliver interactive films for brands, agencies, and global platforms.
Introduction
Hocus Pocus Studio is a BAFTA-nominated London animation studio specialising in interactive video production. We create films where the viewer can influence the story or receive personalised content, making campaigns more immersive and memorable.
We also create explainer videos for healthcare and finance.
What is Interactive Video Production?
Interactive video production means building films where viewers can make choices, click on elements, or see content tailored to them. It can take the form of branching narratives, shoppable experiences, or data-driven personalisation.
At Hocus Pocus Studio, we design both the creative film and the technical build, so interactive elements feel seamless.
Our Work in Interactive Video
Netflix’s Black Mirror: Bandersnatch remains one of the most well-known examples of interactive film, where viewers control the story through branching decisions.
Trailer for Netflix’s Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a benchmark in interactive storytelling.
Samsung recently launched Creative Canvas, a new interactive ad format for connected TV, showing how interactivity is becoming mainstream in advertising.
Here's an interesting campagin we did for Shell’s interactive video experience. This demo lets you add your own name and custom skid message, which then appear seamlessly inside the film – on the driver’s visor and across the racetrack tarmac.
It’s an example of how interactive video can create personalised, memorable content for campaigns, training, or brand activations. Users type into simple text fields, and the inputs are dynamically embedded into the footage in real time.
Personalised interactive video for Shell, produced with GED Films by Hocus Pocus Studio.
Features:
- Custom driver name displayed on visor
- Personalised message burnt onto the racetrack tarmac
- Instant rendering of your own branded video moment
- Engaging way to boost audience participation
How Much Does an Interactive Video Cost?
Every project is different – and should be. Costs vary depending on:
- Complexity of branching or personalised elements
- Whether live action or animation is used
- Ambition of the creative execution
Adding a few interactive elements usually increases cost only modestly. Advanced builds scale with ambition and technology.
How Long Does It Take to Make an Interactive Video?
Timelines depend on the approach:
- A 1-minute motion graphic film with interactive layers takes around 5 weeks plus extra time for the interactive build.
- A live-action branching narrative takes longer, depending on filming and the number of story paths.
Quick Questions
How long does an interactive video take?
About 5–10 weeks, depending on complexity.
What formats do you deliver?
HD or 4K video with interactive overlays, web-embeddable players, and social cutdowns.
Where is Hocus Pocus based?
London, Fitzrovia – BAFTA-nominated studio working with global brands.
Do you create both the film and the interactive build?
Yes – we design the creative content and the programming to deliver a seamless experience.
Additional FAQs
Why use interactive video production?
It increases viewer engagement, keeps people watching longer, and creates a sense of involvement.
Where is interactive video production used?
Marketing campaigns, e-learning, training, recruitment, and entertainment.
How much does an interactive video cost?
Costs vary widely, but simple projects with limited branching can be delivered competitively.
What’s the difference between an interactive video and a traditional film?
Traditional films are passive. Interactive videos allow the viewer to influence outcomes or see personalised content.