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Where to commission an animated video?

nynt9

Member
I'm releasing some music in 2 months, and I was considering commissioning an animated music video. It would be around 5 minutes long. I want to explore my options, but I have no idea where to start. Can GAF point me in the right direction? Style of animation can be anything really, I'm willing to consider many options but again, I don't know where to look. To be more specific, it would probably have humanoid figures, have some basic animation, nothing too complex, and it would have to look not awful. But I am.looking for something a bit more involved than some simple visualization that's a few pulsating CGI geometric shapes. Any ideas?
 
Hopefully you have some decent cash ready. Offering "exposure" as payment or needing an absurd amount of content in an absurdly small amount of time for these kind of projects are all too common in these types of requests.
 
Define "well". I've worked with artists who charge in the hundreds before.

Generally, if you don't want to get laughed out the room, you'll be fronting several grand at the very least.

It also depends on when you want to have it done by and a bunch other factors. Average individual price is about $1000 (super low end)- $3000+ for a minute of animation
 
Hopefully you have some decent cash ready. Offering "exposure" as payment or needing an absurd amount of content in an absurdly small amount of time for these kind of projects are all too common in these types of requests.

I'm willing to pay good money for good work, I work with professionals and I understand that and don't wanna do a shitty hack job, but I don't know what the range is, what to look for, and where to look for it.

Generally, if you don't want to get laughed out the room, you'll be fronting several grand at the very least.

It also depends on when you want to have it done by and a bunch other factors. Average individual price is about $1000 (super low end)- $3000+ for a minute of animation

Thanks! But presumably this varies based on the intricacy and nature of the animation. Can you point me towards a place where I can explore some options?
 
Define "well". I've worked with artists who charge in the hundreds before.

For 5 minutes, not CGI shapes, not awful? I think you should adjust your quote expectations upward by a factor of 10-100, if not more (define 'not awful'?). Animation is a lot of work.
 
I'm willing to pay good money for good work, I work with professionals and I understand that and don't wanna do a shitty hack job, but I don't know what the range is, what to look for, and where to look for it.



Thanks! But presumably this varies based on the intricacy and nature of the animation. Can you point me towards a place where I can explore some options?

Generally it doesn't vary by much.

Imagine drawing 1000 pictures of a simple object.
Next, imagine redrawing that object another 1000 times to ink it.
Next imagine coloring that object 1000 times
Next imagine taking all of that to edit for a dozen + hours.

That doesn't include pre-production, timing, design, and post production either

I've done the math myself a while ago and a 5-minute animation usually takes around 750 man hours.

As far as recommendations, I would say to go to a college or a campus. If you email an animator directly with your offer their going to tell you off.
 
Can you point me towards a few you know of to get me started?

Heh, I'm not exactly the visual art type so the only animators I follow/remember I follow on Tumblr are guys like (2 NSFW LINKS BTW)
Scott Falco whose commissions seem to be open and SpeedoSausage whose commissions are currently closed. However it is just as easy as searching "Animation commissions" in Tubmlr's search bar. Gives a list of post thumbnails with art that you can parse yourself to see just the style you're looking for.
 
Generally it doesn't vary by much.

Imagine drawing 1000 pictures of a simple object.
Next, imagine redrawing that object another 1000 times to ink it.
Next imagine coloring that object 1000 times
Next imagine taking all of that to edit for a dozen + hours.

That doesn't include pre-production either.

I've done the math myself a while ago and a 5-minute animation usually takes around 750 man hours.

As far as recommendations, I would say to go to a college or a campus. If you email an animator directly with your offer their going to tell you off.

I mean, I don't have an offer. I'm trying to get a feel for what the range is, and this helps. Thanks!
 
Generally it doesn't vary by much.

Imagine drawing 1000 pictures of a simple object.
Next, imagine redrawing that object another 1000 times to ink it.
Next imagine coloring that object 1000 times
Next imagine taking all of that to edit for a dozen + hours.

That doesn't include pre-production, timing, design, and post production either

I've done the math myself a while ago and a 5-minute animation usually takes around 750 man hours.

As far as recommendations, I would say to go to a college or a campus. If you email an animator directly with your offer their going to tell you off.
What about flash animation.
 
Imagine drawing 1000 pictures of a simple object.
Next, imagine redrawing that object another 1000 times to ink it.
Next imagine coloring that object 1000 times
Next imagine taking all of that to edit for a dozen + hours.

Who does this anymore?
Seriously

Tools cut this work down considerably, the amount of effort required is going to vary on the quality of the animation along with the complexity.
 
What about flash animation.

Flash/toonboom help a lot, but it also comes with its own range and limitations (Mainly design).

They're great tools, but animation is naturally a work intensive art form.

Who does this anymore?
Seriously

Tools cut this work down considerably, the amount of effort required is going to vary on the quality of the animation along with the complexity.

Plenty of people. The tools cut down the work, but not as much as you think. I've literally made a dozen plus films, ranging from 1-6 minutes, commissioned and personal across TVPaint, flash after effects and paper.

The quickest method is motion graphics which will cut the same 5 minute film down by about 1/3-1/2 the time

I mean, I don't have an offer. I'm trying to get a feel for what the range is, and this helps. Thanks!

Yeah it's cool. I don't mind informing people about the behind the scenes for making a short. I made a video for a musician before for cheap ($1000 a minute) and it was grueling so you have to be aware of what goes on the other side before you make your offer. Many animators aren't as understanding and willing to detail what goes on, and some'll be offended if you go to them with very little money or nothing
 
Fair enough, I don't have the background you do (just TV Production in HS).

Certainly, if you want something that stands out, you better be prepared to put out some cash.
 
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