TV Commercials That Get People Talking

Your audience is watching. The question is whether your brand is giving them something worth remembering.

At Astral Studios, we’ve been producing TV commercials for South African businesses since 1991. Our clients include Gautrain, Emperors Palace, and CADAC. We work with marketing teams and agencies across the country, from Johannesburg to the coast.

We handle everything in-house, from scripting and storyboarding through to filming, animation, voice-over, and final delivery. That means fewer handoffs, tighter deadlines, and a cleaner production process.

What Goes Into a Great TV Commercial

A good TV commercial does three things. It grabs attention fast. It holds it. Then it gets the viewer to do something.

That sounds simple. But getting all three right takes more than a camera and a good idea.

Our team brings together live action filming, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and professional voice-overs. All under one roof. So whether your brief calls for a product demo, a brand story, or a high-energy promo, we’ve got the tools and the team to pull it off.

TV Commercials with Live Action and Animation

Some of the most effective TV commercials mix live footage with animation. It’s a great way to show things that can’t easily be filmed, like a chemical process, a product’s inner workings, or a concept that lives in the imagination.

Our 3D animation team works across industrial, scientific, and architectural applications. So if your commercial needs that extra layer, we can add it without bringing in outside help.

Our TV Commercial Production Process

Every project runs under the direct oversight of our Executive Producer. Our Creative Director reviews each stage with a focus on whether the commercial actually moves people to act.

TV Commercials for National and Regional Campaigns

We work with businesses running national campaigns as well as regional ones. Our studio is in Lone Hill, Sandton, but we regularly produce commercials for clients across South Africa.

Past clients include public sector organisations like Gautrain and the AIDC EV Summit, as well as private sector brands like Emperors Palace and Kimleigh Chemicals. That range means we understand the difference between a corporate tone and a consumer-facing one.

TV Commercials That Fit Your Brand

No two briefs are the same. A commercial for a chemical company looks and feels very different from one for a consumer appliance like the DNA Airfryer Oven. We tailor the approach to your brand, your audience, and your budget.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all production. So we start every project by getting a clear picture of your business, your communication goals, and what success looks like for you.

Why Marketing Teams Choose Astral Studios for TV Commercials

• Over 30 years of production experience
• Full in-house capability, no outsourcing
• Live action, 2D animation, 3D animation, and motion graphics
• Green screen studio in Sandton
• Proven track record with national brands and government clients
• Tight deadline delivery managed by a dedicated Executive Producer

TV Commercials with Measurable Creative Direction

Our Creative Director has spent decades translating briefs into commercials that actually connect with viewers. That’s not a vague claim. You can watch the work on our Showcase page.

Ready to Start Your TV Commercial?

Talk to us about your next campaign. We’ll take your brief and show you how Astral Studios can bring it to life.

Get in touch with Astral Studios

Frequently Asked Questions About TV Commercials

How long does it take to produce a TV commercial?

Most TV commercials take between 4 and 12 weeks from brief to final delivery. The timeline depends on the complexity of the production. A simple live action spot moves faster than one that needs 3D animation or multiple filming locations. At Astral Studios, we manage the full process in-house, which helps keep things on track.

How long should a TV commercial be?

The most common lengths are 15, 30, and 60 seconds. A 30-second commercial is the industry standard for most South African broadcast campaigns. Shorter spots work well for high-frequency brand reminders. Longer formats give you more room to tell a story. We also produce 30-second spots optimised for social media, so your campaign can run across TV and digital platforms from a single production. We’ll recommend the right length based on your brief and your media buy.

Do I need to provide a script?

No. Astral Studios offers a full scriptwriting service as part of the production process. Our team will work with you to develop a concept and script that fits your brand and your goals. If you already have a script or a rough brief, we can work from that too.

What is the TV commercial production process?

We follow a three-phase process. Pre-production covers scripting, storyboarding, casting, and planning. Production is the filming phase, either in our Lone Hill studio or on location. Post-production includes editing, animation, motion graphics, voice-over, and colour grading. Your commercial goes through review stages at each phase so you stay in the loop.

Can you add animation to a live action TV commercial?

Yes. One of Astral Studios’ strengths is combining live action footage with 2D animation, 3D animation, or motion graphics. This works well for product demonstrations, technical explainers, or any concept that’s hard to capture on camera alone. All animation is produced in-house by our own team.

Do you work with advertising agencies?

Yes. We work directly with brands as well as with advertising and media agencies. If your agency is handling the creative strategy, we can slot in as the production partner. We’re used to working within agency workflows and meeting broadcast delivery specs.

What kinds of businesses do you produce TV commercials for?

We work with businesses across a wide range of sectors. Past clients include Gautrain, Emperors Palace, Kimleigh Chemicals, DNI Group, and the AIDC EV Summit. We produce commercials for both national campaigns and regional ones, across consumer, corporate, and government categories.

Where is Astral Studios based?

Our studio is in Lone Hill, Sandton, Johannesburg. We serve clients nationally across South Africa.

How do I get started?

Contact us with a brief outline of your project. We’ll get back to you to discuss your goals, timeline, and what the production will involve.