Services
Decision Stages
MVP, Emphasis, and Amplification decision stages by Grit Studio
Grit Studio uses animation as decision support: we lock clarity first, then earn emphasis, then earn public-ready amplification.
Every project needs a moment where the question becomes:
Is this enough to move forward?
One sequence. Three checkpoints.
The stages are not a menu. They’re an order of operations. Each stage exists to answer one specific question, then stop — or move forward deliberately.
Stage 1
MVP — Clarity Lock
Build a complete, readable version fast — just enough to prove the structure works.
Decision: “Is this the right direction?”
Stage 2
Emphasis — Commitment
Once the structure is accepted, we decide what deserves weight: pacing, spotlight moments, and selective polish.
Decision: “What parts deserve investment?”
Stage 3
Amplification — Exposure
Make the work stand on its own — the version the founder can publish, send, and be judged by.
Decision: “Is this what we stand behind publicly?”
Strict rule: no stage skipping
We do not start at Emphasis or Amplification. MVP is the gate that proves the direction and gives us the shared map needed to invest responsibly.
Why this is staged
Most projects don’t fail because the final is “bad.” They fail because the team committed to a direction too early.
When the structure is unclear, polish becomes a guessing game — and every tweak costs more than it should.
MVP exists to make the direction visible. Emphasis exists to invest in what matters. Amplification exists to ship something a founder can stand behind.
Stage 1
MVP — Clarity Lock (the gate)
One week is designed to answer one question: is this flow the right direction to commit another week to?
What we do
- • Define the “A → B” logic (what changes, and why)
- • Build a complete readable sequence (MVP motion is final)
- • Tighten symbols so the intent is unmistakable
- • End with a clear yes/no decision checkpoint
What we don’t do
- • No “make it perfect” polishing
- • No open-ended exploration without a decision
- • No stage skipping or “jump to cinematic” requests
- • No expanding scope beyond the agreed sequence
Completion test: the founder can clearly see how A arrives at B — and can decide to continue or stop.
Pricing
$500 per week (one block).
If the founder cannot make a yes/no decision, continuing means buying another MVP week — until the decision becomes possible.
First-time clients reserve a slot by paying Week 1 upfront.
Stage 2
Emphasis — Commitment
Emphasis begins only after MVP is accepted. This is where the founder chooses what deserves weight — and pays for that weight deliberately.
Typical reasons founders move to Emphasis
- • The direction is right, but the “moment that sells it” needs more force
- • The sequence is readable, but pacing needs intentional rhythm control
- • The message works, but the priority order needs clearer hierarchy
- • Stakeholders want confidence: “Make the key beats undeniable.”
Rule: Emphasis can increase clarity and weight — but it cannot change the core direction. Direction changes mean returning to MVP.
Pricing
$1,500 per week (one block).
Use this stage when the structure is accepted and the goal is “make the key beats hit.”
Stage 3
Amplification — Exposure
Amplification is the “stand-alone product” version — the work a founder can publish, share, and be judged by. This is where visual finish becomes part of the message.
What’s at stake here
- • The founder’s beliefs are now visible
- • The work can be shared externally (judgment / misread risk)
- • The cost of “almost aligned” becomes expensive
Alignment rule: if the founder isn’t aligned with the outcome, we do not “polish through” misalignment. We return to the stage that fixes the structure.
Pricing
$2,500 per week (one block).
Use this stage when the direction is locked and the intent is to ship a public-ready piece.
The pipeline
The same calm pipeline across all stages — clarity first, then earned investment.
- 1
Discovery
Goals, audience, decision moment, and what “A → B” needs to mean.
- 2
Stage 1 — MVP build
Produce the complete readable sequence, then make the yes/no decision.
- 3
Stage 2 — Emphasis
Strengthen the moments that matter without changing the direction.
- 4
Stage 3 — Amplification
Ship the public-ready version the founder can stand behind.
Pricing (weekly blocks)
Pricing reflects decision risk — not output volume. One block = one week.
Stage 1 — MVP
$500 / week
Gate: prove the direction is readable enough to decide.
Stage 2 — Emphasis
$1,500 / week
Commit: strengthen what matters without changing the direction.
Stage 3 — Amplification
$2,500 / week
Exposure: make it stand-alone and public-ready.
- • First-time clients pay Week 1 upfront (one block, non-refundable) to reserve a slot.
- • Invoices are due within 7 days; late payments may pause production and shift the schedule.
- • Timely feedback and assets keep the work inside its scheduled block. Delays can push to the next open slot.
- • Scope changes and extra revision rounds may require additional blocks and a revised timeline.
- • For full details, review the Studio Policy.
FAQ
Can we start at Emphasis or Amplification?
No. MVP is the gate. Without it, we don’t have a shared map of the problem, and you’ll pay more to discover basic structure later.
What if I want to “tweak a few things” after MVP?
If you’re continuing to pay and the direction is accepted, that’s Stage 2 (Emphasis). If the direction itself is not accepted, it stays in MVP until a yes/no decision is possible.
What if I can’t decide after the first MVP week?
Then the MVP gate did its job: it exposed uncertainty. If you want to continue, you buy another MVP week until the decision becomes possible.
How do I know Amplification is “done”?
Done means it stands alone: you can publish it, share it, and it represents what you believe — without needing explanation from you.
Start with the gate.
If the direction is right, we’ll earn the next stage. If it’s wrong, we stop early — before cost and expectations lock in.