How to Budget for TV Animation
When you start a digital animation business and face the challenge of budgeting a TV opening sequence, the line between charging fairly and losing clients can be very thin. In your case, with a 25-second duration, 5 animated 3D scenes in Cinema 4D and 10 2D characters in Apple Motion, it's best to break down the cost so you don't undervalue your work or scare off your client.
Factors Influencing the Price of TV Animation
The budget must consider several key aspects:
- Modeling, texturing, and rendering of 3D scenes: In Cinema 4D. The render time at 30 fps and the complexity of the lighting directly impact the cost.
- Animation of 2D characters: In Apple Motion, considering that 3 to 5 animation steps is a basic-medium level, but not trivial.
- Review and correction time: Communication with the client, adjustments, and final deliverables.
Approximate Ranges According to Industry and Market
For Spain, for a project with these characteristics, the range can be between:
- 1,500 to 4,000 euros, depending on the experience of the studio or freelancer and the resources invested.
- Some studios charge per animated second, between 60 and 150 euros, adjusting for complexity.
Tips to Avoid Undervaluing or Losing Clients
- Present a clear budget: Where you explain what each stage includes.
- Make it clear that render time: Revisions and possible changes increase the cost.
- Consider offering a base price: With extras for out-of-scope revisions.
Always protect your rights and time with simple but signed contracts. Budgeting for animation is like juggling: if you throw too high, you drop the ball; if too low, clients will crush you. But at least here, the ball isn't on fire... almost.