CompuServe Thread

#Animation rates

12 messages in this thread
#190380From: Don NellSep 11, 1995 10:39 PM
To All, I'm trying to put together a report for my employer on the cost of creating computer animation. Does anyone have any facts or figures regarding the lowest and highest animation rates in the industry. Thanks, Don
#190433From: MARTIN G FOSTERSep 12, 1995 10:20 AM
Don, around here (LA, Ca) 3ds day rates per animator are around $500-$800. For SGI (Alias/Wavefront/Prisms/Renderman) work $1100-$1400.
#190461From: Don NellSep 12, 1995 12:31 PM
Martin, Thanks for the info so far. What are the approximate rates per second for a completed animation (looking for a range from low end to high end). I heard figures ranging from around $2000 to more than $5000 per second. Does that sound accurate. Thanks again, Don
#190473From: MARTIN G FOSTERSep 12, 1995 2:41 PM
Don, >> approximate rates per second for a completed animation …. I heard $2000 to more than $5000 per second. << As a freelancer I remember ranges of $100 to $300, larger companies are more like $2000 to $9000. SGI rates for equivalent work would be probably 40%-60% more, or up to $14000. High end film effects would make even these numbers look like small change, especially where custom software has to be written. Really, the sky's the limit (or the budget) but bids are mainly based on animator days rather than price per second.
#190492From: Don NellSep 12, 1995 3:57 PM
Martin, Thanks. That's what I was looking for. Don
#190567From: Mike Langieri/CT&MASep 12, 1995 11:20 PM
Don… Your request will be hard to fill if I read it right. Animation is a product of the material (i.e. the design, modeling & rendering). Spinning a cube in front of a solid color screen is somewhat trivial, add zooming and camera fly bys, then maybe add animation within the six sides of the cube and perhaps import live video behind the cube… the whole thing gets far more complicated (and expensive) to create. I don't have their numbers here at home, but you could call Cambridge Electronics in Boston, Massachusetts or Kaliedoscope out in Ohio and they can maybe give you some serious ideas on commercial pricing. If you'd like the numbers, I can post them tomorrow. \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /
#190606From: A. CarrerasSep 13, 1995 8:55 AM
\\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- / Are you a big fish going after the little fish? I think with 3DS'ers its the other way around. <G> Alex
#190919From: Mike Langieri/CT&MASep 14, 1995 9:40 PM
Alex… Sometimes my big fish gets distorted in the move from TAPCIS to Windoze programs <G>. And yes, it's a biggee chasin' a little guy (typical food chain) except in the case of man bites dog <BG>! \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /
#191167From: A. CarrerasSep 16, 1995 5:02 PM
Mike, >> big fish gets distorted… << Or you got eaten by the Big fish. ie hired by Lucas et al. <G> Ciao, Alex
#190868From: Don NellSep 14, 1995 3:24 PM
Mike, I was looking to get a general price range on the cost of producing computer animation. Being a 3DS user since Version 1 was released, I know how time consuming and meticulous computer graphics work can be. Being that our department produces all of its animations in-house, sometimes I'm not really sure that our upper management fully appreciates the savings to the company. I'm also trying to dispel the myth (at least in my company) that computer animators are mostly a bunch of grown men playing with hi tech toys. The people at the top of the corporate ladder understand one thing more than anything and that's $$$. If I can show them that doing computer graphics in house using 3D Studio can not only be an invaluable tool in training and architectural visualizations, but actually save them time and money, I won the battle. So yes, if you get a chance, please post the numbers that you have. Thanks Don
#190884From: Tyler ColwellSep 14, 1995 4:36 PM
Nice fish! Are you a fellow scuba diver?
#190950From: Mike Langieri/CT&MASep 15, 1995 5:09 AM
Tyler… <<< Nice fish! Are you a fellow scuba diver? >>> Nah, I chase them with hooks/line! Haven't strapped on a tank since the 60's and I regret not keeping it up every once in a while 🙁 \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /