Methods and systems for creating and playing out animated video scenes. An animated scene is created by first receiving a selection of an asset element to be used in the scene. Next, a first marker position is received, a first marker is displayed at the marker position, and an association between the asset element and the first marker is established. This process is repeated for a second marker displayed at a second marker position. Thereafter, a movement path from the first marker position to the second marker position is established. The movement path includes a sequence of coordinates and associated times. Finally, the instructions that cause the asset element to move along the movement path are generated.