Freelance animators could be hired by a firm, organization or an individual to work on projects like movies,commercials,animated software or even video games.
(www.cvtips.com/how-to-start-a-career-as-a-freelance-animator.html.)
-I chose this quote as i think it is important as it shows that many different types of companies and people hire freelance animators.
- Working as a freelancer for companies or indivuals may pose a problem when it comes to payment, you may have to negotiate prices for your time. You have to take a look at the job and the client and decide if your willing to negotiate down.
-Be wary though, if you hold out for a lot more money too often, you'll find yourself without any work at all and may get yourself a bad reputation in the industry.
- Showing that you are willing to compromise will help you get more freelance work in the long run, although dont let clients take advantage of you.
Working for a company:
-There is also the issue of who owns the work you have created for a client or employer.
-Freelance animation jobs are contract work, which means that when the client or employer buys your services, they buy all the work that you have created for them aswell.
-You cannot resell the work to another client or employer, especially if it involves logos or other copyrighted images belonging to the client.
- Of course you have the right to display your work as part of your portfolio, but it doesnt actually "belong" to you anymore.
(www.gofreelance.com)
-This is a very helpful piece of information as it lays out some of the rules of being a freelance animator.
- Working as a freelancer for companies or indivuals may pose a problem when it comes to payment, you may have to negotiate prices for your time. You have to take a look at the job and the client and decide if your willing to negotiate down.
-Be wary though, if you hold out for a lot more money too often, you'll find yourself without any work at all and may get yourself a bad reputation in the industry.
- Showing that you are willing to compromise will help you get more freelance work in the long run, although dont let clients take advantage of you.
Working for a company:
-There is also the issue of who owns the work you have created for a client or employer.
-Freelance animation jobs are contract work, which means that when the client or employer buys your services, they buy all the work that you have created for them aswell.
-You cannot resell the work to another client or employer, especially if it involves logos or other copyrighted images belonging to the client.
- Of course you have the right to display your work as part of your portfolio, but it doesnt actually "belong" to you anymore.
(www.gofreelance.com)
-This is a very helpful piece of information as it lays out some of the rules of being a freelance animator.
Salary
I researched into average salaries for freelance animators , this is what i found:
-According to national pay scale data in the US ( as of December 2010), freelance animators with:
+1-4 years of experiance make $19.35 - $28.56 per hour
+5-9 years of experiance make $24.17 - $48.83 per hour
+10-19 years of experiance make $22.22 - $60 per hour
(www.wiki.answers.com)This article was useful as i learned from it that the more years experiance you have and the bigger the name you make for yourself in the industry the more money you will make in the long run.
-I also found that:
-Animations are in high demand in todays world of visual graphics
-UK
-animators can charge high salaries based on a lot of conditions.
1. The freelance animators have the freedom to charge different salaries based on their skill and experiance.
In the UK, Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union has a reference for different rates, but freelance animators conform to these guidelines only when they are starting out!
-Newbies charge around 70-140 pounds a day, but senior animators,who have gained a lot of experiance over the years in the industry, can make up to a six figure salary.
2.Many animators work for free in the initial stages in order to acquaint themselves with the ways of the industry and develop connections and links.
USA
- In the USA animators are also in high demand.
1. 3D animators especially are in high demand; they get starting salaries ranging from $40,000 to about $60,000 a year.
2. Experianced 3D animators end up with six figure contracts, much like animators in the UK.
(www.ezinearticles.com - article submitted January 07,2010)
-I found this article interesting as it compares the salary ratings for freelance animators between the UK and the US.
Animator salary and conditions:
- freelance entry level positions are becoming more common and rates vary enourmously.
-The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) produces a rates guides but animators usually negotiate their own rate ensuring that time and costs are charged at a substainable figure
-New animators and compositers may be paid £70 -£140 per day, although commercials may pay more.
(http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:psVv3zGreysJ:ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/animator_salary.jsp+freelance+animator+salary+in+UK&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&source=www.google.com - Salary data collected May 09)
-I picked this article as it conforms my previous research and the data is fairly recent.
Contract issues and freelance animation jobs:
-The basic freelance animation contract is for provision of services and products.
-All contract terms are spelled out clearly.
-All obligations on you as a party to the contract are defined.
-Method and amount of payment is stated.
-Termination or 'opt out' clauses are clear.
The warning signs of a dubious contract are:
-Lengthy,complex, documentation.
-Unclear terms and methods of payment.
-Obscure references to types of services, or open ended statements.
-Detailed clauses reguarding "quality and standards" which are ambiguous, and leave you vulnerable to non-payment or endless unproductive debates about these issues.
Do's and Don'ts in freelance animation job contracts:
Do's:
-Check all contracts thoroughly.
-Identify any unclear issues systematically clause by clause.
-Check contractors online for any complaints or issues.
-Avoid any commitment where your unsure of your obligations.
-Make sure that your undertaking work where you cn provide all elements of service shown in the contract.
-Ask the contractor for advice in writing about any unclear issues.
Don'ts:
-Dont sign anything until your 100% clear of your contract obligations.
-Dont enter into any contract where terms and methods of payment are ambiguous or vague.
-Dont get dazzled by large amounts of money in contracts you dont yet have. Talk is cheap and until a contract delivers, it is just talk.
-Dont assume anything about a contractor. Check everything, particularly the contractors previous record of payment on freelance websites.Career Progression
Career progression is usually mostly through freelance work, which develops the animators reputation, and this is likely to ensure a regular supply of work as well as more senior responsibilities.
- In the early stages of a career in animation, the level of knowledge of the business is a major issue.
-Also getting the right job and builing a client base can take time.
Career progression for animators generally involves :
-A very strong commercial and creative personal portfolio which shows only the best work.
-Clear technical skills and capability.
-High quality work in a business based production.
-Industry profile.
Career development
-Most animators start off a career as a studio runner and then progress to junior animator roles.
The structure of a 3D animation career:
-Start out as a junior animator.
-Then may progress to assistant animator
-To animator
-To lead animator
-To animation director.
I have looked into companies in the UK that hire freelancers and what they look for in a potential employee
-Hum Drumm
-Hires freelancers
-Looks for people with experiance in Softimage and after effects.-Looks for skills in modelling and texturing.
The company creates 3D animations for TV, film and games.
-Located in Manchester.
 | |
| Work done by Seed Animation for Cheeky Bingo |
 |
| Work done by Seed Animation for Feel Good Drinks |
Seed Animation
-Hire Freelancers
-They look for Softimage generalists and animators
-They work on commercials ,idents, branding virals and short films.
They are located in London
 |
| Framestore have worked on three of the Harry Potter films. |
-Hire runners
 |
| Framestore worked on effects for the Sherlock Holmes movie |
Runners duties include
- Providing general assistance to clients and employees, in house and on location.
-Delivering tapes and completed material to advertising agencies and production companies within Soho.
-Helping clients feel at home by providing a first class hospitality service.
-Making sure that facilities are kept clean and tidy at all times and that all kitchen areas are maintained.-Runners typically hold a degree or equivalent qualification in their chosen speciality, which may be technical or general.
-Traits the company looks for in potential employees are:
Passion
Enthusiasm
Someone willing to succeed.
 | |
| Lumiere Studios created the branding for music entertainment show | Suck My Pop. |
Lumiere Studios
-This company hires freelance XSI character animators.
-They look for employees with the potential to:
-Create a robust and flexible animation rig
-Have extensive knowledge
of building and animating
facial shapes.
-They are a London based
company.
company.
Picasso Pictures
-Hire freelance animators, modelers and renderers.
-The company mainly works in 3DS Max
Based in London.
