Pricing

[B.R.Productions]

I have a question about pricing ones work.
Say like doing broadcast commercials that consist
of extensive to moderate animation. (30 secound
commercial). Is their some sort of guide that
anyone uses in order to price their work?

Any suggestions or comments appreciated.

Brian

[Wade]

I recently heard that the “average” TV spot runs around 100,000.00 to produce! I know not helpful, but really the range is so wide and varied without more info who whould even venture a guess?

For some of the super bowl spots some of the animation may run 100,000.00, or better. While a flying logo added to a cheapo commercial may net you as little as 500.00 bucks.

My 2 cents

Wade

[B.R.Productions]

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific.
I was referring to local commercials. I know
this still leaves the question somewhat
wideopen because I'm sure it varies from
city to city and state to state. I just would like
to see how others guage the price for their
work.
Any comments or stories from anybody
big or small is welcomed.

Brian

[Zach]

First, figure out who you are. How much do you want to charge someone an hour to make something that could potentially make them lots more than what they were making before.

Be resonable though. Guage the quality/style you output with how long it will take you to output it. I mean, think of the whole "supply and demand" philosophy. If you're in demand, charge high, if you not, charge low.

If you don't have any work, it might be worth it to throw a dog a bone. At least you'll be getting out there and possibly getting more work from your spot.

So basically if you're fast and have high quality work, charge a lot per hour. If you're slow and have high quality work charge a little less. If you're fast and have low quality work, charge a little lower than you would with the slow/high quality work. If you're slow and turn out low quality work, you might think about charging them minimum wage.

Break it down hourly, then figure in the cost of taxes (even if you don't plan on paying taxes, it's a good habit to get into; chalk it up as 40% of your gross), and the depreciation of your equipment for that time you're using it, and if you need to go to the dentist or get a cast on your leg. You might want to raise the estimate a couple hundo, or you might lower it if you really need the work. Plus, if your client always changes their mind, factor in the amount of ibuprofen it will take to reduce the headaches they cause you.

Also, figure out what you're client wants to pay, and figure out if you really want to do it for that much. If not, remind them of what they'll be getting out of the service you will be providing, and hit them with a higher number. Remind them that they're getting a good deal, blah blah blah.

If you're shooting most of the spot, weigh in the cost of tape/film, camera rental (if you don't have one), editing (will you do that on your own, or will you go somewhere to do it?) sound design/production (for god sakes man, don't forget the sound! sometimes that is 70 to 80% of how effective the spot will be!) Will you be setting up the broadcasting deal or what.

Actors are important. Will you be doing the voiceover, or physical acting? Will you con a friend to do it for beer? Maybe you won't have any dialogue. Look at Mitsubishi or Volkswagon commercials. They don't need dialogue. Drive a car down the road with people having some type of experience and make sure there is memorable music in the background. Pretty basic stuff, but their commercials are pretty too. That's not so easy to come by.

I would like to say how much i've been getting an hour, but these monitors have eyes, and even though every body that I know uses Maya, you never know who is trolling the LW Forum! Just think about your current source of income. You might want to charge 2 times as much unless you're working for minimum wage, then you'll (depending on the state, say oregon) want to charge 3-5 times that much (oregon just raised minimum wage to 7 something.)

Hey don't forget about this book either. It could come in handy for ya!

http://www.powells.com/search/DTSearch/search?kw=ethical+pricing&pokey=skeptopotamus

[archiea]

perhaps we should format it as a unanimous poll, as far as rates are concerned. The animation Guilde submits a report just like that and ost it on their web site so that people can check their rates...