3DS Rates?
These are good questions you bring up and ones I been contemplating for some
time. It really bothers me when I see ads for animation at x$ per rendered
second. I wonder if this includes modeling, mapping, and keyframing?
To answer this I have proposed a three tiered approach.
1. X$ per hour for modeling, mapping, keyframing.
2. Y$ per hour for rendering to disk.
3. Z$ per hour for recording files to tape.
Then, 1. can vary depending on the talent, 2. Varies as the speed and
investment of the hardware. and 3. varies as the format of the tape.
A rate card can be set up very easily to reflect these amounts and would show
the client exactly what he is paying for.
As far as requesting ball park figures I would have to bow out on that one
because a simple $ amount is dependent on too many variables. Only you can
determine what YOUR time and technology is worth. If you're too low you won't
be able to pay your bills and will be out of business, not to mention that
clients might think you don't think much of your own work. If you're too high
nobody will be able to afford you and without income you will be out of
business.